Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a tangy and hearty side dish that’s ready in minutes! This Instant Pot Rice Recipe is just what you need as a side dish for your weeknight dinners!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a deliciously hearty instant pot rice recipe that will bring your weeknight dinners full circle!
Talk about a side dish that’s ready in literally minutes. This instant pot rice is a little tangy (courtesy of the lime) but oh so hearty – perfect as a side dish or as a base for chili during the winter! And of course I like to batch cook this rice and freeze the leftovers!
Most rices can be cooked up in under 30 minutes but they can also turn out really sticky and gummy… gah, so frustrating. I was tired of cleaning sticky rice from the bottom of the pot or having the water overflow on the stovetop because I didn’t use the right size pot to cook rice.
The Instant Pot totally changes the rice game! It creates perfectly fluffy rice that’s sure to please the entire fam. And honestly you guys, anything I’ve ever made in the Instant Pot has never turned out bad.
Is cilantro rice healthy?
Yes! This cilantro lime rice recipe has only 4 ingredients and is a good source of whole grain carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
Some rice dishes can be high in sodium, but the benefit of making rice at home is you can control how much salt you add.
Carbs are necessary for long-term health and brain function but awareness of the types of carbohydrates you’re consuming is key. Not all carbs are created equal. The important thing to note here is the difference between processed vs. unrefined carbs. Although I’m all for enjoying these foods occasionally because who doesn’t love the taste of a yummy donut?!
Almost all plant foods (grains, beans, fruit, starchy vegetables) fall into the carbohydrate category and are packed with nutrients, fiber and phytochemicals that protect against cell damage. So I’m not all about low carb here, but more about balance and moderation of the quality and amount.
What is the ratio of water to rice?
The general rule of thumb that I keep in mind when cooking rice in the instant pot is 1:1 ratio. For example…
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2 cups rice →2 cups water
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3 cups rice → 3 cups water
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4 cups rice → 4 cups water
And so on. Pretty easy and I’ve found this ratio to work with almost all types of rice, even whole grain. If you like your rice a little more soft, I’d suggest adding maybe 1/4 cup more liquid to whole grain rices like I did in this recipe with the lime juice.
What is the fastest way to cook rice?
Without a doubt, cooking rice in the instant pot is the absolute fastest cooking method. Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish.
Yes, you read that right! Less than 20 minutes for this cilantro rice recipe – a deliciously simple weeknight recipe! And it’s perfect for meal prep if you want to cook it in bulk to have on hand for the week!
How many cups of rice can be cooked in instant pot?
This will depend on the size of your Instant Pot – obviously you’ll be able to cook a larger amount of rice in the 8 quart compared to the 6 quart.
The most I’ve cooked in my 6 quart pressure cooker is 4 cups of rice. That’s a lot of rice– I haven’t had a need to test out more than that. So if you do let me know in the comments.
And if you love Mexican inspired dishes, you’ve gotta try this cilantro rice recipe! The flavor combo of cilantro and lime is unbeatable and so refreshing.
This instant pot rice recipe would go PERFECTLY with my Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos. I’m thinking that’s going to be on the calendar for dinner this week! I’m always down for tacos 🙂
Related Recipes:
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Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
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Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
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Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos
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Vegetarian Sofritas Burrito Bowls
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Easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken and Broccoli
-
Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is a tangy and hearty side dish that’s ready in minutes! This Instant Pot Rice Recipe is just what you need as a side dish for your weeknight dinners!
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown basmati rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1/4 cup cilantro
Instructions
- In the instant pot, pour in rice, broth, lime juice and cilantro.
- Pressure cook rice on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Allow rice to natural release and fluff with a fork.
- Category: Sides
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
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Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
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I love cilantro lime rice and can’t believe I can make this in an instant pot. Such a great idea!
★★★★★