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    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Easy Dinners > Rice

    Santa Fe Cilantro Rice with Garlic

    Published: May 4, 2015 · Modified: Mar 26, 2020 by Melissa · 16 Comments

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    This simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic is the perfect spring dish made with fresh garlic and herbs! You'll love this flavorful rice recipe!

    cilantro garlic rice in a white bowl with cilantro and lime on the side

    Simple Santa Fe Cilantro Rice with Garlic

    Springtime is a great season for enjoying herbs and spices, storebought or homegrown! My recipe is a Simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic. Garlic and herbs are both abundant in the spring and the two are highlighted so nicely in this simple rice dish.

    You don't have to use cilantro if you don't want to. Basil, parsley, and oregano are all really good in this. The rice is so flavorful that you can serve it as a side or use it as a base for something like a burrito bowl or even to serve sautéed vegetables and a grilled piece of meat over. The best part? You can make it on the stovetop or in the rice cooker! Thomas got me this rice cooker (Aroma 20-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice Cooker) for my birthday and it is awesome (hello timer setting!).

    Enjoy this simple staple.

    rice in a white bowl

    Can I use brown rice for this recipe?

    This recipe works great with brown rice, just adjust the amount of broth accordingly to have the proper amount of liquid for cooking brown rice, since brown rice often needs more liquids to cook.

    What other herbs work well instead of cilantro?

    Parsley is an easy and milder alternative to cilantro. Other herbs that would taste great with this recipe are basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and chives. Thinly chopped scallions also taste great when mixed in.

    Do I need to rinse rice before cooking it?

    Rinsing rice removes some starch and can keep rice from getting too sticky. It also can rinse any debris off the rice. Rinsing rice can also wash off vitamins and minerals if you buy fortified rice. Whether you rinse your rice or not usually comes down to how much you want your rice to be sticky or not. It's up to you!

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    Image of Santa Fe Cilantro Rice with Garlic

    Simple Santa Fe Cilantro Rice with Garlic


    ★★★★★

    4.5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Melissa Griffiths
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 3 cups 1x
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    Description

    This simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic is the perfect spring dish made with fresh garlic and herbs! You'll love this flavorful rice recipe!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Juice of ½ of lime or lemon
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (or herb of your choice)
    • 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
    • ¼ tablespoon ground cumin (if using cilantro, omit if using other herb)

    Instructions

    1. Combine the rice, broth, and slat in a large saucepan over med-high heat. Bring to a boil. Decrease the heat to simmer and add the lime juice, butter, cilantro, garlic, and cumin. Stir, cover, and simmer 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender.
    2. OR
    3. Toss everything in the rice cooker and let it cook until done.
    4. Serve hot.
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Side Dish
    • Method: Stove
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: cilantro rice, cilantro rice recipe, garlic rice, garlic rice recipe, best rice recipe, easy rice recipe, rice dish, side dish recipe, easy side dish, best side dish

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

     

    More tasty rice recipes

    • Easy Korean Ground Beef and Rice
    • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
    • One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    • One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
    • Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
    • Stove Top Chicken and Rice
    • One Pot Coconut Chicken and Rice

    Main dishes to serve with rice

    • Orange Chicken with Stir-Fry Veggies
    • Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken Legs
    • Sweet and Spicy Baked Chicken Legs
    • Grilled Salmon Foil Packs with Veggies
    • Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil
    • Brown Sugar and Garlic Grilled Pork Tenderloin
    • Grilled Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa

    This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated in August 2019.

    Spring herbs and garlic in Simple Santa Fe Rice with Cilantro and Garlic bring fresh flavor to this dinner staple.

    Simple Santa Fe Rice
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    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Millifa Jack

      December 07, 2020 at 12:21 am

      Recently, when I created Santa Fe rice I formed a taste of cilantro and garlic. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for share!

      Reply
    2. Julia Stearns @ Healthirony

      March 04, 2019 at 8:15 am

      It was only recently that I have developed a taste for Santa Fe rice with cilantro and garlic when I made one myself. Thanks for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Bhavya

      November 22, 2018 at 6:17 am

      This recipe was a wonderful change from plain rice. Our family really enjoyed this Rice recipe Thanks For sharing Recipe

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa

        November 22, 2018 at 9:49 am

        So glad you liked it!

    4. Veronika

      December 30, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      I make this rice ALL THE TIME. It's so good. But I just noticed it says 1/4 tablespoon cumin. I always put in 1/4 teaspoon, am I supposed to be using more?!!

      Reply
    5. Sharon S

      July 08, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      but I don't see the garlic!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        July 10, 2015 at 9:31 am

        LOL, how did I miss that? Thank you for point it out, I corrected the recipe.

      • Jill Roberts

        August 01, 2017 at 2:06 am

        I love Santa Fe rice with cilantro and garlic recipe. I need to add tomatoes to recipe and it would be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

    6. Lissa

      May 06, 2015 at 11:43 pm

      I love your idea. It's so simple, and looks so good. I think I would squeeze a wedge of fresh lime on top too. I'll have to try this sometime. Thank you for your post, Melissa.
      http://askmelissaanything.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    7. Deb C

      May 06, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      Ha ha...was just writing up my shopping list for next week's meals...decided to take a break and stop in to see what you have been up to.....guess I will scratch off the Spanish Rice-a-Roni and replace it with this recipe to go with the Enchiladas. Thanks Melissa!!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        May 07, 2015 at 9:18 am

        And if you have a rice cooker this stuff makes itself!! So easy! Enjoy girl!

    8. Erin | Well Plated

      May 05, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      Fresh, simple sides like this are just the best. This would go with anything! Happy eat seasonal!

      Reply
    9. foodiecrush

      May 05, 2015 at 10:42 am

      There's nothing better for us busy busys than a quick and flavorfilled recipe. I love steeping my rice in broth, so much added flavor!

      Reply
    10. Becky

      May 04, 2015 at 9:17 pm

      I'm with Liz, I need a rice cooker!! I always love cilantro rice when we eat out for Mexican food so I don't know why I haven't made it at home. Glad to have your recipe now!

      Reply
    11. cookincanuck

      May 04, 2015 at 9:31 am

      Fresh herbs make everything better, for sure, and this rice is something I know my family would love! I'm thinking it would be great tucked inside of fish tacos.

      Reply
    12. Liz @ Floating Kitchen

      May 04, 2015 at 8:55 am

      A rice cooker has been on my "to-buy" list for a long time now. I always mess up rice when I make it on the stove, because I'm usually not paying enough attention! I am cilantro freak, so I know I'm going to love this rice!

      Reply

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    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

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