Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Introduction
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a quick and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with Mexican, Asian, or grilled meals. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a simple way to elevate plain rice with fresh lime and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice (un-rinsed)
- 1 ¼ cups water (or chicken stock)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium lime (juiced and zested)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the rice, water, and salt to the pressure cooker pot and stir to combine.
- Step 2: Cover the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: When the cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to vent any remaining pressure.
- Step 4: Fluff the rice with a fork, then transfer to a serving bowl.
- Step 5: Stir in the chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest until evenly mixed. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For added flavor, cook the rice in chicken stock instead of water.
- Adjust the amount of cilantro and lime to your taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder or chopped green onions for a different twist.
Storage
Store leftover cilantro lime rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice and microwave or warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore moisture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Brown rice requires a longer cooking time and more water, so this recipe would need adjustment. It’s best to follow a specific Instant Pot recipe designed for brown rice to ensure proper cooking.
Do I need to rinse the rice before cooking?
This recipe uses un-rinsed rice, which helps retain some of the starch for a better texture. However, if you prefer less starch, rinsing the rice under cold water until it runs clear is fine.
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Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe delivers a tangy and aromatic side dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. The rice is perfectly cooked using the pressure cooker for a fluffy texture, then tossed with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest for a bright, zesty flavor that pairs wonderfully with Mexican, Tex-Mex, or grilled dishes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice (un-rinsed)
- 1 ¼ cups water or chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium lime (juiced and zested)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Measure and add the long grain white rice, water or chicken stock, and kosher salt into the Instant Pot pressure cooker pot. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Rice: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, set it to high pressure, and cook for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes to ensure the rice finishes cooking without sticking or burning.
- Release Pressure and Fluff: After 10 minutes of natural release, perform a quick pressure release to let out any remaining steam. Carefully open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Add Lime and Cilantro: Transfer the cooked rice to a serving bowl. Add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest. Toss gently until everything is well mixed and the rice is evenly coated with the fresh, zesty flavors. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Using chicken stock instead of water adds more flavor but increases sodium content.
- Do not rinse the rice before cooking to maintain the best texture in the Instant Pot.
- Natural pressure release is crucial to avoid mushy rice; be patient.
- For a vegan version, use water or vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- Freshly chopped cilantro enhances the flavor distinctly, do not substitute with dried cilantro.
- Lime zest adds brightness; don’t skip it if possible.
- Leftover rice can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated with a sprinkle of water to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Instant Pot rice, cilantro lime rice, quick side dish, Mexican rice, pressure cooker rice, lime zest rice, cilantro rice
