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We’re finally in the grilling season! It hit almost 80 degrees this past Saturday and we’ve been grilling non stop. We are HUGE grilling lovers and this time of the year can not be any more perfect.
Grilling, breeze through the windows and ton of sunshine. All about those simple pleasures that we love but overlook sometimes. Love, love!
With warmer weather, I love making quick, simple, and light meals. Especially meals that require few ingredients.
This Cilantro-Lime Coconut Rice has become one of our favorite side dishes to serve along side 20-Minute Easy Skillet Chicken Caprese or Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs. We normally don’t do much rice. It’s something that I may on occasion cook once in a while as I like to stick to protein+some form of vegetable for dinner.
This however is a nice little addition to any meal when you want something a little extra extra.
Super simple concept here with most of the ingredients probably already found in your pantry.
Jasmine rice cooked in part coconut milk, plus part water. After the rice is cooked, you add a nice heaping of lime zest and cilantro. Annnnnd that’s it! Seriously.
Coconut milk adds mild sweetness and creaminess to the rice, while lime+cilantro transform the rice into a lively side that’s an ideal accompaniment to any of your favorite grilled (or not grilled) dishes.
I love that with just a few ingredients you can jazz up this plain rice into a side that the whole family will LOVE! Serve this alongside spicy shrimp or grilled chicken topped with fresh mango+avocado salsa. As we did.
Or you can totally do your own thing and make it part of your Mexican night fiesta, weeknight dinner, or take along to any BBQ.
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Cilantro-Lime Coconut Rice
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 lime, zested
- 1 tsp. fresh lime juice
- 4 tsp. minced fresh cilantro
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. This gets rid of some starch from the rice so the rice is not too sticky.
- Combine the rice, coconut milk, water, and pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook partially covered on medium/low heat until liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Kim says
Pretty impressed with this recipe I found with a vague Google search. Subbed Basmati rice for Jasmine as I had it in the pantry already, followed the rest of the recipe exactly. I will probably make this again.
★★★★★
olga says
Can i say YUM? this goes with pretty much any hispanic dish,so so good!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Thank you for the delicious recipe!! I was craving this rice but thought it was impossible to make at home. So good!! ????
Katya says
That’s awesome! So glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Abby says
Do you have a go to chicken recipe to serve on the side of this?
Katya says
This roasted chicken would be great https://www.littlebroken.com/2017/04/19/easy-roasted-herb-chicken/. It has slight kick from the pepper flakes and pairs well with the sweetness of the rice.
Ginny says
I just made this tonight in my rice cooker and it turned out perfectly! Thank you so much for the recipe—it’s now going to be my go to!
★★★★★
Katya says
Thanks so much Ginny! So happy it worked out in a rice cooker for you.
Linda says
Oh no! I making this right now and my husband got CONDENSED coconut milk. Can I use this somehow anyway? I have no time to go to the store.
Katya says
Hi Linda: I’m sure by now you have made your rice and hopefully it turned out well but if condensed coconut milk is same as regular condensed milk then no, it would not be a good substitute.
Linda says
Thank you! I knew if I used it it would first—be too sweet, and second—need to be cut, so I rinsed the rice that I had glopped some of the condensed stuff onto and sent the husband out for the real stuff! My daughter told me to find it in the specialty aisle with the ethnic foods, etc. and there it was. It all turned out perfectly in the end. Thank you for your reply 🙂
Katya says
So glad to hear that!
Angela W Broyles says
Just love this recipe! It is my go-to for coconut-lime rice. I add in kaffir lime leaves in the beginning- a great addition if you have some!
★★★★★
Katya says
Thanks so much Angela! I bet kaffir lime leaves add a nice flavor to the rice.
Navy J says
I had a major problem with this recipe, and that was the amount of lime used. The recipe calls for 1 lime, zested, and a teaspoon of fresh lime juice. I zested an entire lime and used the juice, and the rice came out so bitter and lime-tasting that it was inedible. Do you really use the zest of the entire lime, plus the tsp of juice?
Katya says
Hi Navy: It should not be bitter at all. The only thing I can think of that can cause that is if you zested some of the white from the lime skin then it will definitely cause bitterness. But yes, zest of one lime and teaspoon of juice should give the rice a pleasant lime-y taste without any bitterness. Sorry it didn’t quite work out for you. I hope this helps!
Diana says
Hi. i’m having a big dinner party and I am wondering if I can make this ahead of time??? And if so what would the best way be tor re-heat the rice dish. Also if I quadruple the recipe do I have to adjust the amts?
Katya says
Hi Diana, honestly I’m not so sure that the rice would work if prepped in advance. It has slight creaminess to it and from personal experience it’s best when served the same day. What you can do it cook it and keep it warm on a stovetop and right before serving, stir in the cilantro and lime. You should not have to adjust the amounts if quadrupled.
Michelle H. says
Have you ever tried this in a rice cooker? I’m planning a party for 50 and would love to be able to do this in a cooker…thoughts? I’ve made the recipe as is and love it!!!!
★★★★★
Katya says
Hi Michelle, I have no experience with a rice cooker AT ALL! I’m sorry! I can’t even give you an idea whether it would work or not. If you do end up making it though, I would love to know how it turns out! So happy you love the recipe. Have a great night!
Ginger says
Wondering if you tried or had success with the rice cooker, Michelle?
Christin says
I’m going to try this in the rice cooker tonight. I’ll add the measured amount of coconut milk and then fill with water the rest of the way to the line. I can’t imagine it won’t work that way as it should keep to liquid to rice ratio tailored to the cooker as usual.
Rose says
How did it work in the rice cooker Christin? Please post what you did. Thanks
Jeannine says
I made it in a rice cooker, I actually just used the exact same liquid amounts and it turned out perfect 🙂
★★★★★
Katya says
That sounds so delicious Marjorie! So glad you enjoyed the rice and had a good dinner.
Katya says
I hope you enjoy the rice Marjorie! Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Julie - Lovely Little Kitchen says
Just picked up some sprouted brown, red and black rice from Trader Joe’s last week. I’m going to try it with this recipe – Can’t wait!
Katya says
Sounds like you got some healthy rice 🙂 I’ll have to check out this sprouted thing. Been seeing is everywhere now. Hope you enjoy the rice!
Karen says
Can I use regular rice? Long grain?
Katya says
Yes you can Karen!