Perfect Cilantro Lime Rice

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Easy Weeknight dish, cilantro lime rice, taco night side dish

We cook a lot of Mexican inspired dishes at home which means we also eat a lot of rice. The rice I made usually depends if the meal needs an acidic side or a savory side. For example, this Mexican-Inspired Pork dish is very hearty and savory so it would pair the best with this cilantro lime rice whereas a tangy ceviche taco would call for a more savory tomato rice.

Cilantro Lime Rice, how to make cilantro lime rice — Allow dried cilantro to rehydrate in lime juice while rice cooks

The Ingredients

Dried Cilantro - as is with any recipe, if fresh herbs are available, use them, but this was not my case. A tablespoon of dried cilantro sufficiently flavored this rice. Did you know cilantro tastes like soap to some people? This is genetics and you will know at first bite if you have it 😂
Lime Juice - The juice of one lime for every 2 cups of cooked rice is my rule of thumb. It's always best to start on the lower end because there is no coming back from an overly sour batch of white rice!
Lime Zest - You'll need a micro planer or a cheese grater, just use the side with the tiny holes!
Olive Oil - This will help re-hydrate the cilantro while our rice cooks
Rice - You'll want to use long grain white rice for this recipe. I specifically use Jasmine rice. Avoid using a rice that is parboiled or enriched.

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Storing Leftover Cilantro Lime Rice

This rice reheats well since there are no proteins or vegetables in it that I find are the usual culprits to get mushy over night. If you have Mexican night as often as I do at home, doubling or tripling this recipe is not unheard of specifically for the left overs! Keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.

What to Pair With Cilantro Lime Rice

The bright citrus in this rice pairs perfectly with a more savory dish. It is the perfect side dish to lighten an otherwise heavy meal. I frequently pair this side with my favorite Mexican Pork. It is a perfect pairing for taco night at home !