What Is Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice?
Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice begins with a sauté of aromatics—including Serrano chile peppers—cooked together with rice and lime juice until fluffy and tender. The dish is finished with a generous handful of fragrant cilantro leaves and bright lime zest. This combination of flavors makes a vibrant and aromatic side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses, especially Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
What Are The Ingredients I Need To Make Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice?
The great thing about this recipe is that you probably have most of what you need to make in the pantry. The ingredients you need to make my spicy cilantro lime rice are long-grain rice, white onion, garlic, Serrano pepper, vegetable stock, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, a bay leaf, fresh cilantro, and limes.
Spicy cilantro lime rice is a one-pot recipe, so pull out the caldero or Dutch oven and get ready to cook.
What’s The Difference Between Serrano and Jalapeño Peppers?
Jalapeños peppers are generally milder than Serrano chili peppers. You’ll also notice that Serranos are thinner and have a bright, crisp taste. Jalapeños look plumper, have a more verdant flavor, and bring a subtler heat to dishes. I prefer Serrano peppers in my spicy cilantro lime rice because I want that crisp spice. Serranos and jalapeño peppers are interchangeable here, so use whichever you can access.
Heat a neutral-tasting cooking oil in a caldero over medium-high heat. Once the oil starts to ripple along the edges of the pot, add the onion, garlic, and Serrano pepper. Sauté these aromatic veggies for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning the garlic.
What Kind Of Rice Is Best To Use?
Long grain rice is my first choice for making this spicy cilantro lime rice. Honestly, I prefer to use long-grain rice in most of my rice dishes. Long-grain rice has a distinct texture that remains separate and fluffy after cooking. Because the grains are longer and slimmer, they cook evenly and don’t clump together as much as short or medium-grain varieties, allowing them to cook evenly without clumping together. Long-grain rice also has a relatively low starch content, which keeps it from being super sticky while giving the rice a fluffy consistency.
You can replace the long-grain rice in this recipe with extra long-grain, jasmine, or basmati rice. The former rice types will impart a floral flavor to your finished dish but will still taste amazing.
Stir the rinsed and drained long-grain rice into the aromatics in the pot. Allow the rice to toast for 90 seconds.
How Do I Avoid Sticky Rice?
Toasting rice brings out its nutty flavor while coating the grains in oil. These two steps contribute to flavor and help the grains stay separated as the rice cooks.
Another way to prevent sticky rice begins before you start cooking. Rinsing the rice in cold water two or three times removes excess starch from the grains. Starch is the enemy of fluffy, separated grains of rice. Without rinsing, the starch on the rice has nowhere to go but into the cooking liquid. This heated, wet starch acts as a glue and is often why rice dishes become sticky.
Add the vegetable stock, lime juice, kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and bay leaf to the pot with the rice. Allow the liquids to come to an aggressive boil, then stir the rice.
Use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface of the rice so it is level in the pot. Reduce the temperature to low.
How Long Do I Have To Steam Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice?
Place a square piece of aluminum foil over the pot, then press the lid down so the foil is sandwiched between it and the pot. This creates a better seal and steams the rice more efficiently.
Steam the rice for 20-25 minutes WITHOUT LIFTING THE LID TO PEEK. I see you. You want to leave the rice covered for 20 minutes so you’re using that steam effectively.
Why Do I Add The Cilantro and Lime Zest Last?
After the cooking time has elapsed, add the chopped cilantro leaves and lime zest to the rice. Fold them into the rice gently using a wide, flat spoon or a regular kitchen spoon. The amount of rice this recipe yields makes fluffing it with a regular fork take longer.
Adding the cilantro leaves and lime zest after steaming the rice means your rice will have more of their flavors. Cooking these ingredients dilutes the flavor and results in a muddy-tasting rice dish.
How Do I Serve Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice?
To serve spicy cilantro lime rice, spoon the finished rice into a serving bowl or platter or serve it straight from the pot. When I’m serving it at a party, I like to garnish my rice with extra chopped cilantro and a few lime wedges. If I’m serving it to us (my family), I just spoon it onto our plates and call it a day.
You can also serve spicy cilantro lime rice as the base for bowls. I love to top this recipe with grilled chicken or shrimp, adding fresh vegetables to provide color and texture.
What Recipes Can I Serve It With?
Spicy cilantro lime rice pairs beautifully with many dishes, making it a terrific side for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. It’s also the ideal side to serve with tacos, burritos, or fajitas because it balances the rich and spicy elements of these dishes. If you prefer a vegetarian option, serve cilantro lime rice with black beans, grilled or roasted vegetables, or as a base for a grain bowl topped with your favorite vegetables.
I usually serve this cilantro lime rice with one of these entrees:
- Chuletas Fritas (Puerto Rican Fried Pork Chops)
- Garlic and Herb Grilled Lamb Chops
- Jerk Pernil or Classic Pernil
How Do I Store Leftover Rice?
Store leftover spicy cilantro lime rice once it has cooled to room temperature. Transfer the rice to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator, for up to five days.
To reheat leftover rice, you can use a microwave or stovetop method. For microwave reheating, sprinkle a little water over the rice, cover it loosely, and heat it for 90 seconds, stirring occasionally to warm it evenly. To reheat this spicy cilantro lime rice on the stovetop, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to a pan, add the rice, and gently heat it over medium-low heat while stirring. This keeps its original fluffy texture and the flavors vibrant.
Can I Freeze Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice?
I love to freeze spicy cilantro lime rice because it’s a great way to preserve its flavor and have a convenient side dish ready for future meals.
To freeze the rice, first allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the rice to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers, spreading it in a thin layer to help it freeze evenly. Frozen spicy cilantro lime rice can be stored for up to two months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the rice overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Reheat it on the stovetop or microwave using the directions above.
My Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice recipe adds a vibrant burst of flavor to your meals and brings a touch of spice and excitement to your table. The zesty lime, fragrant cilantro, and kick of spice create an addictive dish that complements a wide range of foods, from grilled meats and seafood to your vegetarian favorites. Because this rice dish is simple and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, or meal prep.
Be sure to save this recipe by creating your Grow account, and never lose a recipe of mine again!
Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice
at Sense & EdibilityIngredients
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1/4 medium white onion peeled and diced (about 3/4 cup or 95 grams)
- 4 cloves (2 tablespoons or 25 grams) garlic peeled and minced
- 1 small (1/4 cup or 50 grams) Serrano pepper minced (remove the seeds if you prefer a milder heat)
- 3 cups (645 grams) long grain white rice rinsed and drained 3 times or until the rinse water runs clear)
- 2 2/3 cups (700 milliliters) vegetable stock or water
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) kosher salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin optional
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large bay leaf
- 3 large limes zested (1 tablespoon or 4 grams) and juiced (1/3 cup or 80 milliliters)
- 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves only (about 1/2 cup or 20 grams)
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed caldero or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil starts to ripple along the edges of the pot, add the onion, garlic, and Serrano pepper. Sauté these aromatic veggies for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning the garlic.
Toast the Rice
- Stir the rinsed and drained long-grain rice into the aromatics in the pot. Allow the rice to toast for 90 seconds. Add the vegetable stock, lime juice, kosher salt, ground cumin, black pepper, and bay leaf to the pot with the rice. Allow the liquids to come to an aggressive boil, then stir the rice.
Steam the Rice
- Use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface of the rice so it is level in the pot. Reduce the temperature to low.Place a square piece of aluminum foil over the pot, then press the lid down so the foil is sandwiched between it and the pot. Steam the rice for 20-25 minutes WITHOUT LIFTING THE LID TO PEEK.
Finish the Spicy Cilantro Lime Rice
- After the cooking time has elapsed, add the chopped cilantro leaves and lime zest to the rice, then use a wide spoon or fork to fold them into the rice gently.
- To serve spicy cilantro lime rice, spoon the finished rice into a serving bowl or platter or serve it straight from the pot.
Notes
- Swap the Serrano pepper with jalapeño for less heat.
- You can omit the Serrano pepper for a plain cilantro lime rice or increase to two peppers for a very spicy rice.
- Replace the long-grain rice in this recipe with extra long-grain, jasmine, or basmati rice.
- Use chicken, beef, or seafood stock instead of vegetable stock.
- Rinsing the rice in cold water two or three times removes excess starch from the grains, which keeps it from becoming sticky.
- Sandwiching the foil between the lid and the pot creates a better seal and steams the rice more efficiently.
- Leave the rice covered for 20 minutes so you're using that steam effectively.
- Adding the cilantro leaves and lime zest after steaming the rice imparts more of their flavors.
- Top this recipe with grilled chicken or shrimp and add in fresh vegetables to provide color and texture.
- Store leftover spicy cilantro lime rice once it has cooled to room temperature. Transfer the rice to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator, for up to five days.
- To reheat leftover rice:
- For microwave reheating, sprinkle a little water over the rice, cover it loosely, and heat it for 90 seconds, stirring occasionally to warm it evenly.
- To reheat this rice on the stovetop, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to a pan, add the rice, and gently heat it over medium-low heat while stirring.
- Allow the rice to cool completely to room temperature.
- Transfer the rice to freezer-safe bags containers, spreading it in a thin layer to help it freeze evenly.
- Store the frozen spicy cilantro lime rice for up to two months.
- When you're ready to use it, thaw the rice overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Reheat it on the stovetop or microwave using the directions above.
OMG – love this rice. My girlfriend made it today for Father’s Day, and it was DELISH!! Great as a side or by itself.
I’m so glad you hear y’all liked it!
I love the heat and flavor in this rice! We enjoyed it with shrimp and black beans and everybody wanted seconds. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Jazz!
I really enjoyed making (and eating) this rice! It’s amazing what a few fresh ingredients can do to elevate a dish!
Eating it is the best part of the recipe, Marcus!
I love cilantro rice and was super excited to try this spicy version. Sooo delicious! The serrano pepper was the perfect addition. Just the right amount of heat. I could literally eat an entire bowl of this and nothing else. Definitely adding it to my weekly meal prep rotation.
That’s a great plan, Krysten!