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Home » Recipes » Sides

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

May 13, 2013 by Kaitlin · 14 Comments

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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 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes 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.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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

  • Fiesta Rice and Black Beans
  • 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.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Sophia says

    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 says

      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 says

    July 06, 2021 at 9:33 am

    5 stars
    Super delicious!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 06, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      Great to hear!

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    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 says

      January 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      So great!

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    December 28, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    I liked this, but the flavor was very subtle.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      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 says

    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 says

      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 says

    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 says

      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 says

    May 20, 2013 at 12:40 am

    Making this tomorrow with fiesta stuffed peppers!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer says

      May 21, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      Sounds like a great pairing!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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