Description
Cilantro lime rice blends Mexican culinary traditions with fresh, zesty flavors. Bright ingredients and simple techniques create a delicious side dish you can enjoy alongside grilled meats or mixed into salads.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (280 g) long grain white rice
- 2 ¼ cups (530 ml) water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
- ½ cup (70 g) finely minced onion
- 1 tbsps olive oil or butter, plus more for serving
- 2 tsps minced garlic
- 3 tbsps fresh squeezed lime juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup (30 g) roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly rinse long-grain white rice under cold water until liquid runs clear, drain completely in a fine-mesh colander to remove excess starch.
- Sautéing: Heat medium saucepan over medium flame, add oil or butter. Toast rice and finely chopped onion, stirring consistently until rice turns opaque white and onion softens, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Aromatics: Introduce minced garlic, gently stirring to release fragrant notes without scorching, about 30 seconds.
- Liquid Integration: Pour warm water or vegetable stock into pan, loosening any rice grains from sides. Season with salt, reduce heat to lowest setting, and cover tightly with lid.
- Cooking Process: Simmer rice undisturbed for 15 minutes, creating a steamy internal environment for uniform cooking.
- Resting Phase: Remove pan from heat, keep lid sealed, and allow rice to rest 10 minutes, enabling moisture absorption and achieving perfect tenderness.
- Final Adjustments: Uncover and check rice grain texture. If slight firmness remains, replace lid and apply low heat for additional 5 minutes, adding minimal water if needed.
- Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro across surface. Gently fluff rice with fork, ensuring even flavor distribution and light, airy texture.
Notes
- Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Clear water prevents clumpy, sticky rice and removes excess starch for a light, fluffy final texture.
- Toast Rice Before Liquid: Sautéing rice with onions and oil creates a nutty flavor profile and helps grains cook more evenly and separately.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Low heat and a sealed lid are crucial for creating steam and preventing burned or undercooked rice, ensuring perfect tenderness.
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Adding cilantro and lime juice at the end preserves their vibrant flavor and brightness, transforming the rice from plain to extraordinary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg