Are you tired of throwing out leftover rice? Today, I'm sharing a fantastic recipe that'll change the way you look at leftovers. This 5 minute and 5 ingredient - Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is an excellent way to use up those remaining grains and turn them into a perfect side dish. Plus, it only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to prepare!
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Here are a few more recipes that uses day old rice or leftover rice.
This Easy Cilantro Lime Recipe was inspired by my other recipe on this Garlic Fried Rice and Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice. They pair well with this fantastic Spicy Sesame Chicken or Air Fryer Cauliflower for a low-carb recipe.
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Why you will love this dish
- Great way to use up leftover rice: Many of us are guilty of throwing out leftover plain rice. But with this recipe, you can transform those grains into a great base that's bursting with so much flavor. It's a sustainable and budget-friendly option that'll help reduce food waste.
- Easy and quick to make: The simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and takes only a few minutes to prepare. This makes it a perfect main dish for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.
- Versatile and customizable: You can switch up the ingredients to make the dish your own. For example, you can make it dairy-free, use different herbs, or add in your favorite protein and veggies. It pairs well with a lot of Mexican food!
What you need to make easy cilantro lime rice
- Day-old rice (any type of rice)
- Butter
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make cilantro lime rice
- Start by heating up the leftover rice in the microwave using a damp paper towel or parchment paper.
- Then, add in the butter, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and salt. Mix everything well. The heat will melt the butter and make it extra fluffy and tasty.
- Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions
Here are some substitutions for each ingredient in the cilantro lime rice recipe:
- Leftover rice: If you don't have leftover rice, you can make a fresh batch of rice in a rice cooker and cool it in the fridge for a few hours before making this recipe. You can use white rice or basmati rice for the best results, but you can also use brown rice.
- Butter: You can use vegan butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil instead of regular butter if you want to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Cilantro: Feel free to use some of the cilantro stems with the leaves. If you're not a fan of cilantro, you can use parsley, basil, or mint instead.
- Lime zest and juice: If you don't have fresh limes or if you don't like the lime flavor, you can use lemon instead.
- Salt: You can use any type of salt that you prefer, such as sea salt, kosher salt, or Himalayan salt.
- Optional: red onions, fresh garlic or garlic powder
Variations
- Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice: Add ½ teaspoon of chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the recipe to give the rice a kick of heat. You can also add in diced jalapeño or serrano peppers for extra spice.
- Mango Cilantro Lime Rice: Add ½ cup of diced fresh mango to the recipe to give the rice a sweet and tangy flavor. You can also sprinkle some toasted coconut on top for added texture and flavor.
- Black Bean Cilantro Lime Rice: Add ½ cup of drained and rinsed black beans to the recipe to give the rice a protein boost. You can also add in some diced bell peppers, corn, and avocado to make it a hearty and colorful dish.
Equipment
- Microwave safe bowl
- Spatula
- Microwave
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Storage
To store the easy cilantro lime rice, let it cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to four days.
To reheat, there are two methods you can use:
- Microwave Method: Place the desired amount of cooked rice in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stovetop Method: Heat a skillet or wok on a stove top over medium heat. Add a splash of oil and the desired amount of rice, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.
Note: If the rice is dry, you can add a splash of water or broth before reheating to help moisten it. Also, make sure to check the temperature of the rice before eating to ensure that it's heated through.
3 Top Tips for Success
- Use day-old rice: It's best to use any type of leftover rice, ideally long grain rice, that has been chilled in the fridge for at least a few hours or overnight. This allows the rice to dry out slightly, which gives it a better texture when reheated and prevents it from becoming too mushy.
- Don't skip the lime zest: The lime zest adds a burst of citrus flavor and aroma to the delicious rice that you won't get from just using lime juice. Make sure to use a microplane or fine grater to get the zest without the bitter white pith.
- Add the cilantro and lime juice at the end: To prevent the cilantro from wilting and the fresh lime juice from losing its fresh flavor, add them to the rice at the very end, after it has been reheated. This will help preserve their vibrant flavors and ensure that this yummy rice recipe tastes fresh and bright.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice - FAQs
Yes, cilantro lime rice is good for you as it is a great source of fiber, protein, and vitamins. Fresh cilantro leaves contain antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, and the lime adds a burst of vitamin C. Note that the nutritional value of cilantro lime rice can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients used.
Cilantro lime rice is made with long-grain rice, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Some recipes may also include garlic, onion, butter, and other seasonings. The rice may be cooked in chicken broth or vegetable broth to give it extra flavor. Once cooked, the cilantro and lime juice are added to the rice and mixed well to create a zesty and flavorful rice dish that pairs well with a variety of foods like burrito bowls and curries.
To cut cilantro for rice, remove the leaves from the stems and discard the stems. You can also add a little bit of the tender stems. Rinse the leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, stack the leaves on top of each other and roll them tightly into a cylinder shape. Use a sharp knife to slice the cylinder crosswise into thin strips. These strips can then be chopped further into smaller pieces or left as is to sprinkle over the rice.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
What to serve with this dish
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cilantro Lime Rice:
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (using leftover rice)
Are you tired of throwing out leftover rice? Today, I'm sharing a fantastic recipe that'll change the way you look at leftovers. My Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is an excellent way to use up those remaining grains and turn them into a perfect side dish. Plus, it only takes a few ingredients and minutes to prepare!
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5 minute
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: sides
- Method: microwave
- Cuisine: asian
Ingredients
2 cups of day-old rice
2 tablespoon of butter
2 tablespoon finely minced cilantro
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of ½ of lime
½ tsp of salt
Instructions
- Start by heating up the leftover rice in the microwave using a damp paper towel or parchment paper. Set the microwave for 2 minutes. The rice should be sure hot.
- Then, add in the butter, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and salt. Mix everything well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Food safety
- Do not use foil in a microwave
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
D Northrup says
Eash and delicious. I only had 1/2 lime for zest and juice and it still turned on tremendous. This will be my go to recipe for leftover rice.