Cilantro Lime Brown Rice - Guide Recipe
Yep , this cilantro lime brown rice tastes just like Chipotle’s! Chipotle’s burrito bowls are my go-to “fast food” meal when we’re in a hurry. Likewise , this homemade brown rice has become a kitchen staple. It’s so versatile.
If you have this cilantro lime brown rice in the fridge , you can throw together a meal in a hurry. Add beans or cooked eggs , top with some salsa or guacamole , and you’ll have a burrito bowl in ten minutes. If you have leftover greens or vegetables , this is the perfect way to use them up.
This cilantro lime brown rice is also a great side dish that will round out any of your Mexican-themed meals. It starts with a base of perfectly cooked brown rice , a healthy whole grain. I often stir in a can of well-rinsed black beans for some extra protein.
I originally created this recipe for my cookbook , Love Real Food. If you haven’t tried those burrito bowls yet (page 142) , you have been missing out on a delicious and quick weeknight meal. I’m sharing the recipe for the rice here , just in case!
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Ingredients
I modeled this recipe off Chipotle’s ingredients for their cilantro lime rice. Chipotle says , “We simmer the whole-grain rice with bay leaves to add savory flavors , then season it with lemon and lime juices and toss it with cilantro for a slightly tart , fresh taste.”
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
Long-Grain Brown Rice
Long-grain brown rice is key. I love its slightly nutty flavor and the natural separation of the grains. I typically buy the Lundberg Farms brand (red bag).
Bay Leaf
We’ll cook the rice with a bay leaf , which infuses the rice with a subtle layer of savory flavor.
Fresh Cilantro
Chopped cilantro adds a burst of fresh flavor to this rice recipe. It’s not complete without it.
Lime Juice
You can’t make cilantro lime rice without lime! You’ll need the juice from about 1 medium lime for this recipe.
Lemon Juice
That’s right , there’s lemon juice in your cilantro-lime rice! Lemon brightens up the flavor and rounds out the lime. Chipotle uses a lime-and-lemon citrus juice blend for their recipes , but we’ll use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice instead.
Olive Oil
You’ve probably noticed a light sheen on Chipotle’s rice , and it’s because they’ve added oil. Stirring in a little oil adds richness and prevents the rice from clumping together. Chipotle uses canola , sunflower or rice bran oil , but I like to use minimally processed extra-virgin olive oil instead.
Uses for Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
Cilantro lime rice goes great with your Mexican and Tex-Mex meals. Here are some serving ideas.
Make Burritos or Burrito Bowls
Serve this rice with any combination of the following:
Serve as a Side Dish
Cilantro lime rice is the perfect side dish. Here are some entrées that would go well:
Please let me know how your rice turns out in the comments. I’m always so eager to hear from you.
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Cooked
- Cuisine: Mexican
This cilantro lime brown rice recipe is the perfect side dish for Mexican meals! It tastes just like Chipotle’s , and it’s so easy to make. Recipe yields 4 ½ cups , enough for 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long-grain brown rice or brown basmati rice , rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime)*
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice (from 1 small lemon)
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Pour in the rinsed rice and drop in the bay leaf. Give the mixture a brief stir and let it boil for 30 minutes , reducing the heat if necessary to prevent overflow.
- Drain the rice , return it to the pot , cover , and let it rest for 10 minutes off the heat. Discard the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add the cilantro , lime juice , lemon juice , olive oil , and salt and stir to combine. Taste and add additional salt if necessary (I usually add an extra ¼ teaspoon). Cover until you’re ready to serve.
- Leftover rice will keep well in the refrigerator , covered , for up to 5 days.
Notes
Recipe originally published in my cookbook , Love Real Food (page 142).
Change it up: For some extra protein , stir one can of well-rinsed black beans (or 1 ½ cups cooked black beans) into the rice after cooking.
▸ Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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