Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is very easy to make it at home. Aromatic cilantro, fresh lime juice, minced garlic and ground black pepper bring out the wonderful zesty flavors to the earthy brown-rice. This Mexican-inspired brown rice tastes great and is quick to cook. Use it as a side dish for an easy dinner or a fabulous lunch to pack.
Chipotle brown rice recipe
Chipotle copycat Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is naturally vegan and gluten free. Use your electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot to make this ultra flavorful rice in no time. You can use this rice as a side dish for multitude of entrees and dinners.
We are Chipotle fan household. Their cilantro lime rice is a star attraction when we order burrito bowls. Now with this tried and tested recipe, you can make a huge batch of cilantro-lime rice yourself without leaving your house. It’s super easy, you’ll love it!
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Tender and fluffy brown rice can be cooked to perfection in Instant Pot. Adding fresh cilantro, lime and spices creates a tasty magic. This is the best cilantro lime brown rice and turns out perfect every single time.
I love cooking with cilantro. Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing , Mint Cilantro Chutney and Cilantro Chimichurri are my favorite sauces to use. We also love Cilantro Chickpea Fritters and Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus.
White or Brown Rice
You can use either kind of rice for this recipe – white or brown. Your choice based on taste preference. I have been using brown rice a lot. It makes for healthier meals because of rice bran and fiber than white rice. And if you are new to brown rice, try this recipe. You will love the refreshing flavors of this brown rice.
Ingredients
Brown Rice : Use long-grain brown rice for fluffy texture. Brown basmati rice is my preferred choice.
Oil : Avocado oil or Olive oil
Cilantro : Fresh chopped cilantro
Limes : Use freshly squeezed lime juice and lime zest for citrus flavors. You can also substitute lemon juice and zest.
Garlic : Minced Garlic adds wonderful flavor.
Salt and black pepper per taste
Optional : Chopped Jalapeno pepper optional to add the bold spice
How to Make
Make Rice : Wash, rinse the rice grains in water. Drain the excess water. In main insert of InstantPot, add the rice. Add 1.5 cup water and pinch of salt. Close the lid. Vent in sealing position. Select manual 20 mins. After Instant Pot beeps when done, wait for 10 minutes and then release the pressure.
Prepare the cilantro, lime seasoning : While the rice is cooking, chop the cilantro and juice the lime. Whisk the oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro , salt , ground black pepper and lime juice well to make a marinade.
Mix and Serve : Once the rice is done and while it is still warm, drizzle the cilantro lime marinade over it. Fluff it with a fork until the cilantro is equally distributed. Taste the rice and add more salt and seasoning if needed. Enjoy your homemade Cilantro Lime Brown Rice.
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice gives so many options to jazz up simple meals. Just like Chipotle, use it in Burrito Bowls or Taco Bar. I love using it as a perfect side dish for burritos, nachos, and salad base.
It pairs well with Cuban Black Beans, Refried Pinto Beans as well as Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables. It is also a great filling side for Fajita Tacos , Vegetarian Tortilla Soup and Black Bean Soup.
I also often use this rice as a side dish to many Indian curries. With very little efforts, it kicks things up another notch. Check out some delectable Indian Food Recipes here.
Pro Tips
I want to share one cooking tip for cilantro use. The cilantro stems are just as flavorful, if not more than the leaves. Don't discard the stems. You can even use them for flavoring broth and making chutney. I often use lots of cilantro stems along with cilantro leaves.
I recommend using long grain brown rice. It makes rice with fluffy texture. The short grain brown rice, on the other hand, tends to be stickier.
For additional flavors, cook Brown rice in vegetable broth.
Storing
Refrigerator : Use airtight container and store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze : Brown rice freezes well and can be reheated easily. However, it tends to dry out quickly. So use air tight containers or zip lock bag when you freeze it.
To Reheat : Sprinkle a couple spoons of water over it. Cover, and reheat rice in microwave in one-minute increments until heated through.
Delicious Rice Recipes
- Mexican Rice - Excellent side dish made in Instant Pot.
- Turmeric Lemon Rice - Flavorful Indian rice
- Enchilada Rice - One pot wholesome meal.
- Wild Rice Pilaf - Festive side for holidays
- Vegetable Fried Rice : Better than take out Chinese rice.
★ If you make this CILANTRO LIME BROWN RICE RECIPE do let us know how you like it by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 4 cup cooked long-grain brown rice See notes for making brown rice in Instant Pot
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- ½ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- Salt and black pepper per taste
Instructions
- Chop the cilantro and juice the limes. Zest the lime skin. Whisk the oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro , salt , ground black pepper, lime juice and zest well to make a marinade.
- Warm up brown rice and drizzle the cilantro lime marinade over it. Fluff it with a fork until the cilantro is equally distributed.
- Taste the rice and add more salt and seasoning if needed. Enjoy your homemade cilantro-lime brown rice!
Notes
Nutrition
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CRYSTAL HUGHES
I have always loved lemon rice. But this rice was perfect to serve at our house on Mexican food night! Love the lime and cilantro flavours.