Make easy cilantro lime rice in the Instant Pot! This is the best rice recipe, and it’s perfect in burritos, with black beans, or with your favorite Mexican food recipe.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
If you’re anything like me, you think that one of the best things about Chipotle is their incredibly delicious Cilantro Lime Rice. Since moving, the closest Chipotle is about an hour-and-a-half away, so it’s definitely not convenient to stop by anymore.
I knew that I needed to start making a copycat recipe of their rice at home. Since my favorite rice is cooked in the Instant Pot, I figured I should combine the two and make an amazing copycat Instant Pot cilantro lime rice recipe. I’m so happy with how this recipe turned out! We make it all the time, and I’m sure you’ll love it, too.
Cilantro Lime Rice Ingredients
- Rice – I recommend using white basmati rice if you can. If you don’t have basmati, then I’d recommend jasmine rice.
- Olive Oil – This is used to toast the rice, which gives it an amazing nutty flavor.
- Garlic – Sometimes I double the garlic because we love garlic in everything, but I wouldn’t use more than that because the garlic can overwhelm the flavors of the lime and cilantro.
- Salt – It enhances the flavors of the dish, and it’s definitely an important component.
- Lime Zest – This is where SO much of the amazing lime flavor comes from. As the rice cooks and the oils in the zest release, it infuses the rice with the most incredible flavor.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds a bright layer of fresh herbs that brings this rice to the next level.
- Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice enhances the lime flavor from the lime zest and adds another dimension that’s really delicious.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Rice
Start by sautéing the rice in the oil until it starts to turn golden and develops a nutty aroma. Stir in the garlic, salt, and lime zest, and sauté until they’re aromatic. Add the water, then cook the rice before letting the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice, and serve while the rice is still hot. See the recipe card below for the full list of instructions with times and settings, etc.
Should You Rinse the Rice?
My favorite part about cooking rice in the Instant Pot is that I don’t have to rinse the rice, and it will still turn out perfectly. I never rinse it for this recipe, and get consistently perfect results every time.
What Goes With Cilantro Lime Rice
My favorite dish to serve this rice with is our Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe. They pair so well together – the chicken recipe has actually been up on the site for a while and has been really popular with a lot of you! Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a new delicious chicken recipe.
This cilantro lime rice recipe is also delicious in burritos, burrito bowls, with black beans, and with tacos.
Optional Adaptations
- Jalapenos – If you love a little spice, feel free to add some jalapanos in while the rice is sautéing.
- Onions – I love onions, so sometimes I include a chopped onion and sauté it at the same time as the rice.
- Make it For Two – This recipe is better suited for a crowd, but you can make 1/3 of the recipe if you need to make it for only two people.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
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Cilantro Lime Recipes
If you love the flavor combination of cilantro and lime as much as I do, be sure to check out these reader favorite recipes:
- Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Southwest Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot Recipe
Make easy cilantro lime rice in the Instant Pot! This is the best rice recipe, and it’s perfect in burritos, with black beans, or with your favorite Mexican food recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cups white basmati rice
- 2 medium cloves garlic (finely diced)
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 3 1/4 cups cold water
- 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (depending on taste preference)*
- 2 - 4 Tablespoons diced fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (depending on taste preference)*
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to the Saute mode on the High setting. Once the Instant Pot reads “Hot”, add the olive oil, and then the rice. Mix to evenly coat the rice in oil. Saute the rice, stirring a few times, until it is starting to turn golden and starting to develop a nutty aroma (about 5 minutes). Add in the garlic, lime zest, and salt, and saute for another 30 seconds (or until the garlic is aromatic). Turn the Instant Pot to “off” by hitting cancel.
- Add in the water, and stir with a spoon to combine everything. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, and turn the pressure release valve to the “sealed” position. Press the “Manual” or the “Pressure Cook” button on the Instant Pot, and use the arrows to set the time to 3 minutes. Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before turning the pressure release valve to the venting position and carefully opening the lid (angling the opening to direct the steam away from you).
- Add in the lime juice and cilantro, and use the Instant Pot rice paddle to gently stir. Serve while hot.
Notes
*The amount of fresh lime juice and fresh cilantro leaves is entirely dependent on your taste preference. If you love cilantro, feel free to add a lot more than the recipe calls for. For reference, when I make this for our young nephews, I use 1/2 Tablespoon lime juice and 2 Tablespoons cilantro, but when I make this for us, I use 1 Tablespoon lime juice and 1/4 cup cilantro leaves.
We are major garlic lovers, so it’s not uncommon for us to use 4 medium cloves of garlic. It’s entirely up to you and your taste preference!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/12 (approximately 1/2 cup cooked rice)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 5gCarbohydrates: 36.6gNet Carbohydrates: 36.5gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gProtein: 3.1g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
The next time you’re craving dinner from Chipotle, make your own Mexican food with a side of this copycat Instant Pot cilantro lime rice at home!
