Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
on May 14, 2019, Updated Jan 24, 2020
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Flavorful Cilantro Lime Rice made in the Instant Pot with loads of bright lime and cilantro flavor. Done in less than 30 minutes! This is the perfect side dish for all things dinner, as the base for rice bowls, and is great in tacos and enchiladas.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
You really can’t beat the fresh and bright flavor combination of lime and cilantro. It’s a classic Tex-Mex favorite and a classic Bless This Mess favorite. In other words, my family enjoys this Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice on the reg, and we still can’t get enough.
I love to use brown rice in this recipe, but the original instructions do well with Jasmine or long-grain white rice. To make this using brown rice, just cook it for 15 minutes instead of 4, and let it come to natural pressure release for 20 minutes rather than 18. You’ll also want to bump up the water by a half-cup, adjust the seasoning, and add a pinch more sugar if you make it with brown rice.
This recipe is a good one to scale up for parties, and it’s sure to bring some zest to your side dish game or a savory bean-cheese-rice burrito.
What goes with cilantro lime rice?
Let your imagination run wild! Cilantro lime rice is a light and bright side (or stuffing) for tons of meals, like fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, or any other dish with Mexican flavors. Try it with One Pan Chicken Enchilada Casserole or Easy Chicken Enchiladas. You could also use as the base for a Tex-Mex stir fry!
How long does rice last?
Once your rice is totally cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can freeze it, but it may be a little dry when you thaw it out. Just sprinkle some water on it when you reheat it, if that’s the case, and store it frozen for up to 3 months.
How do you reheat cilantro lime rice?
You can reheat cilantro lime rice on the stovetop in a pan with oil over medium heat, stirring until heated through. This actually adds a nice crunch to some of the bits of rice that is a great texture! Or cover it with a paper towel in the microwave and blast it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Flavorful Cilantro Lime Rice made in the Instant Pot with loads of bright lime and cilantro flavor. Done in less than 30 minutes! This is the perfect side dish for all things dinner, as the base for rice bowls, and is great in tacos and enchiladas.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 cup uncooked rice (I like long grain or Jasmine.)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 to 2 teaspoon lime zest (I do at least 2 and sometimes a little more… I love zest.)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water + bullion)
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Add the oil to the bowl of your Instant Pot. Use a small pastry brush to brush the oil all over the bottom of the pot. This will keep the rice from sticking.
- Add the rice, garlic, lime zest, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
- Put on the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select Pressure Cook with a 4-minute cook time.
- Allow the pressure cooker to come to pressure, start the cook time, and after the 4 minute cook time, let it stay at pressure (natural pressure release) for 18 minutes.
- After 18 minutes, release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid when the pressure and valve have dropped.
- In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, sugar, and cilantro.
- When the rice is done, fluff it with a fork, and then pour the lime juice mixture over hot cooked rice.
- Stir to combine, and serve hot.
Notes
- This is an easy recipe to scale up if you need to.
- I use brown rice for this recipe often and love it. Cook it for 15 minutes instead of 4, and let it come to natural pressure release for 20 minutes instead of 18. I also bump up the water by 1/2 cup and adjust my seasonings. I normally need a little more sugar with the brown rice, too.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 4 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Complete the meal by making:
- Easy Crispy Instant Pot Pork Taco Recipe
- Homemade Hard Corn Taco Shells
- Cafe Rio Black Beans
- Simple Salsa Verde Recipe
- Creamy Cilantro Ranch Dressing Recipe
For more rice recipes, check out:
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice Recipe
- One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
