cilantro rice

In our household, the love for Mexican cuisine runs deep, and much of it stems from my son’s enthusiasm for flavors that are bold and vibrant. One of his favorite spots is Moe’s Southwest Grill, where he eagerly anticipates every visit. His unwavering choice: cilantro lime rice.

This love for cilantro rice inspired me to recreate the beloved dish at home, as I wanted to share the joy of his favorite meal with the family on a regular basis.

Cilantro lime rice is not only versatile but can also complement an array of meals. From burrito bowls, to a standalone side dish for grilled chicken or fish, the possibilities are endless.

The Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Add rice to the instant pot and ensure the steam valve is set to the sealing position.

Select “Rice Cooking” setting on the instant pot, and push the start button.

After the timer beeps, leave the instant pot untouched for 10 minutes to naturally release pressure.

After 10 minutes, manually release any remaining pressure by carefully turning the steam valve to the venting position.

Once the pressure has completely released, carefully remove the lid.

Incorporate lime juice, oil, salt and chopped cilantro as desired.

cilantro rice

Cilantro Lime Rice

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Brighten up your dinner table with this light and zesty Cilantro lime rice. By using the instant pot, every grain of white rice comes out perfectly fluffy and tender with almost zero effort.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/8 cup rice
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1 green onion
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 3/8 tsp salt

Equipment

  • 1 instant pot
  • 1 cutting board
  • chef knife
  • 1 soup pot

Method
 

  1. Add 1⅛ cup white rice to the instant pot. Then pour in 1¼ cup of water and give it a quick stir.
    1 1/8 cup rice, 1 1/4 cup water
  2. Close the instant pot lid and change the steam vent to the sealing position.
  3. Select rice setting and click start button.
  4. While rice is cooking, thinly slice the green onion.
    1 green onion
  5. When the timer beeps, let the pot sit undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. Then turn the steam release valve to release position to allow the pressure to be released.
  6. Open the instant pot lid, fold in 1/2 cup cilantro, juice of 1/2 lime, 1/2 tsp of oil and 3/8 tsp of salt with the rice. (see notes)
    1/2 cup cilantro, juice of 1/2 lime, 1/2 tsp olive oil, 3/8 tsp salt

Notes

For a more blood-sugar-friendly version, you can prepare the cilantro lime rice 24 hours in advance. By cooking the rice and letting it cool in the refrigerator overnight, it converts some of the starch into resistant starch, which is harder for your body to absorb and helps prevent sharp insulin spikes.
When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the rice in the microwave. 

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