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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

    May 13, 2013 by Kaitlin

    This Cilantro Lime Brown Rice recipe is a perfect side dish for a wide variety of Mexican-inspired meals. Plus it's simple to prepare! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

    Cilantro lime brown rice in a bowl with spoon

    This Cilantro Lime Rice is a wonderful side dish for your Mexican-inspired meals.

    We enjoy it with many dishes, but especially these Black Bean Spinach Enchiladas! It's so delicious when it mixes with the homemade enchilada sauce.

    Plus I love how this tasty recipe comes together quick and easy with just a few simple ingredients.

    Ingredients for cilantro lime brown rice

    Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Rice

    For this recipe you will combine:

    • Long grain brown rice: This recipe works with long-grain brown rice or white rice. I used white rice when I initially posted it, but now use brown basmati rice. Both are tasty depending on your preference or what you have on hand. You will simply simmer the rice in a medium saucepan on the stove top. Then fluff with a fork and stir in the other additions and flavors.
    • Fresh lime juice: You will need about one lime for this recipe, but use more if desired.
    • Fresh lemon juice: I find the taste is best when using both lemon and lime juice together!
    • Cilantro: Use as much or as little fresh cilantro as you would like.
    • Salt: I use fine grain salt for this recipe. Be sure to use enough to help bring out the flavors.
    White bowl with rice and a serving spoon

    Customizing

    Bolder flavor: If you like a bold citrus flavor, add even more lemon or lime juice. Or include a half teaspoon lime zest.

    Garlic: Include a quarter teaspoon (or more) garlic powder, or one minced garlic clove.

    Protein: Stir in cooked black beans or pinto beans for more protein and fiber before serving.

    Vegetables: Add veggies to the mixture like sliced green onion, cooked sweet corn (or fire-roasted corn), tomatoes, avocado, or red bell pepper.

    Make it spicy: Add jalapeno, chipotle in adobo sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or red pepper flakes. Or simply top with hot sauce to taste before serving.

    Serving

    This rice is so versatile! Here are a few ideas of ways to enjoy it:

    • In burritos and tacos
    • As a base for burrito bowls (like this Vegan Burrito Bowl with Creamy Chipotle Sauce)
    • In your favorite rice bowls
    • Alongside enchiladas
    • Or as a side dish for any other Mexican-style meals
    bowl of cilantro lime brown rice with spoon

    For more inspiration, also browse all side dish recipes or cilantro recipes.

    bowl of cilantro lime brown rice with spoon

    Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

    This Cilantro Lime Rice is a great side dish for a wide variety of Mexican-inspired meals. Plus it is simple to prepare!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Mexican-inspired, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 5 side servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup long-grain brown rice* (or white)
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
    • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
    • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
    • 1/4 tsp. salt (more to taste)

    Optional additions:

    • 1/2 tsp. lime zest, 2 green onions, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 1 clove minced garlic, sweet corn, black beans

    Instructions

    • Rinse and cook rice according to package instructions.*
    • Meanwhile, finely chop cilantro (large stems removed if desired).
    • In a medium bowl, add cooked rice, chopped cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, and salt. Stir to combine.
    • Add more salt to taste if desired (the flavors taste best when sufficiently salted!) or any optional flavors/additions.

    Notes

    *Rice: I use Lotus Foods organic brown basmati rice for this recipe. To cook: in a small saucepan, simmer 1 cup rice in 1 3/4 cup water (covered) for about 30-35 minutes.
    Brown or white rice: This recipe works with long-grain brown or white rice. I used white rice when I initially posted, but now use brown rice. Both are tasty depending on your preference.
    Other possible additions: Stir in cooked sweet corn, green onions, black beans, tomatoes, garlic, etc.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    139
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Potassium
     
    99
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    29
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    111
    IU
    2
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    11
    mg
    1
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you are enjoying this Cilantro Lime Brown Rice recipe, also check out:

    • Easy Vegan Avocado Quesadilla
    • Wild Rice Spinach Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Vegan Side Dish Recipes

    • Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
    • Vegan Cashew Queso
    • Smoky Roasted Chickpeas (Oil-Free!)
    • Teriyaki Mushrooms with Snow Peas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. Sophia

      January 23, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      Want to give this a try but am a low sodium household. What is the percent/milligrams of sodium in this recipe? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        January 23, 2022 at 12:59 pm

        Hi Sophia! Thanks for your question. Please see my FAQs for why I purposely omit the sodium content calculation on my site. (I always encourage people to calculate their own for a much more precise measurement.) 🙂

        Reply
    2. Susan

      July 06, 2021 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      Super delicious!

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        July 06, 2021 at 12:07 pm

        Great to hear!

        Reply
    3. Anonymous

      January 20, 2014 at 3:46 am

      This is my favorite part of what I order at Chipotle. Now we can enjoy at home. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        January 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm

        So great!

        Reply
    4. Anonymous

      December 28, 2013 at 11:34 pm

      I liked this, but the flavor was very subtle.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        December 29, 2013 at 10:08 pm

        I agree it's definitely a simple, subtle flavor. But please feel free to add extra lime juice, lime zest, garlic, salt, more cilantro, etc. to liven it up a bit!

        Reply
    5. Amber's Reading Room

      December 08, 2013 at 10:04 pm

      I am trying this tonight with the spinach black bean enchiladas. So happy I found your blog. I recently became a pescatarian so this is a lot of help with recipes and finding something different and yummy.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        December 09, 2013 at 7:13 pm

        So glad you're enjoying the site - thank you for the kind feedback. Hope you loved the rice and enchiladas last night!

        Reply
    6. Morgan

      July 21, 2013 at 11:03 pm

      Do you think this would taste just as good with quinoa or wild rice?

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        July 23, 2013 at 3:35 pm

        I bet quinoa would work very well (but not so sure about the wild rice as it has a nuttier flavor).

        Reply
    7. Anonymous

      May 20, 2013 at 12:40 am

      Making this tomorrow with fiesta stuffed peppers!

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        May 21, 2013 at 2:10 pm

        Sounds like a great pairing!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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