This Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice is citrusy, aromatic, and bound to have you going in for seconds.
Lime and cilantro have a “together forever” thing going on that I just can’t get enough of. I have trouble adding one to a dish without adding the other. It’s almost Pavlovian how much I crave the aromatic flavor of cilantro whenever I taste the bright citrus that is the lime. These ingredients just get each other, and I love sneaking them into as many dishes as I can. They instantly brighten up anything they touch.
Over the years, I’ve worked lime and cilantro into so many recipes (quinoa, shrimp, cauliflower rice, etc.). Each one had its own little stand-out moment, but it’s time to share the limelight (no pun intended). Enter this cilantro-lime brown rice. It’s hearty, nutty, and a little more substantial than its cauliflower counterpart, but it’s just as zesty and refreshing. Plus, it pairs with pretty much anything: tacos, grilled chicken, or even a big bowl of black beans and veggies for a simple, satisfying dinner.
Is Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice Healthy?
Brown rice is much healthier than white rice because it is the grain in its whole, unprocessed form. Brown rice is rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and plenty of other essential vitamins and minerals. Limes are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, while cilantro contains more vitamin C, plus A and K. The main outlier here is the pat of butter, which contains some saturated fat. You could replace the butter with a plant-based oil of your choice if you wanted to remove it from the recipe.
Cooking Garlic In Its Skin
You might be curious why this recipe tosses the garlic in the pot still in its skin. Well, there’s a good reason. Those whole, unpeeled cloves will gently cook and become soft as the rice cooks. This gives them a mellow, slightly sweet, and buttery flavor rather than sharp, astringent, and punchy.
By the time you’re ready to start fluffing the rice, the cloves are soft enough to squeeze out of their skins and mix right in, adding a subtle depth of flavor without overwhelming the lime and cilantro. It’s a little trick with a big payoff.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Let the rice cool completely, then store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them. Put the rice in a container or resealable freezer-safe bag. It should be okay for about 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then cook in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of water or broth.
Serving Suggestions
This rice dish goes well with a variety of proteins. Cilantro-Lime Grilled Shrimp would echo the flavors of the lime and cilantro. You could also make a casserole of sorts with this Cheesy Instant-Pot Chicken And Rice Casserole. To make a vegetarian meal, try this Easy Southwest Tofu Scramble (replace the cauliflower rice in this recipe with this brown rice). For a hearty, Mexican-inspired lunch, try this Burrito Bowl, again subbing this recipe for the cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown rice rinsed
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic in their skins
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 limes juiced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Add the rice, water, salt, and garlic cloves to a pot. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit with the lid on for another 10 minutes.
- Remove the garlic from the rice. Squeeze the garlic out of the skin.
- Add the butter to the rice. Stir until the butter has melted.
- Add the cilantro and lime juice. Mix and serve.
Tips & Notes:
- Rinse the rice before you boil it; this will remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming too sticky.
- For a milder, sweeter garlic, consider roasting the cloves by putting them in foil with a little olive oil and warming them in the oven. Then add them to the rice, either minced or whole.
- For more citrus, add lime zest to the rice.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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