Cilantro Lime Rice: Simple Side Dish to Wake Up Dinner

Is your family tired of boring plain rice? Add a few fresh ingredients to create this flavorful Cilantro Lime Rice that pairs nicely with a variety of cuisines.

Not only is it flavorful and healthy, it cooks up in under 30 minutes (mostly hands off time) making it perfect for those busy nights we all have.

I feel a little guilty making an entire post with just this recipe. It is nothing more than a few ingredients added to cooked rice. But, then I spied a mix for it at the grocery store. Skip the extra price and additives and make it yourself. Plus when you make it you can adjust it as you like.

I use brown rice in this for that extra whole grain higher fiber and nutrition punch. If you don't want brown rice you can prepare whichever type you prefer according to package directions: white, jasmine, basmati, etc.

How to Cook Brown Rice

In the recipe below I include my instructions for speedy perfectly cooked brown rice.

The trick? Boil it like pasta. Surrounding all of those beautiful grains with boiling water ensures evenly cooked rice in about half the time of steaming.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice

This dish can be served with simple grilled chicken, pork chops or steak. The lime and cilantro are excellent with Mexican as well as Thai cuisines.

Here are a few other recipes you may want to pair with it:

• Carnitas Bowl
• Spicy Pineapple Pork Roast
• Mexican Chicken with Black Beans

Recipe

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Ingredients

 

• 1 ½ cups brown rice
• 1 fresh lime
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
• salt and black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

 

• In a large sauce pan, combine the rice with 4-5 cups of water. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium low for 25 minutes. Taste a few grains for tenderness. When rice is cooked to your preference, drain remaining water. 
• While rice is cooking zest and juice the lime and chop the cilantro. 
• Fluff cooked rice with a fork and stir in fresh lime juice, lime zest, and cilantro. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

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more easy rice sides