Step-by-Step Guide on how to make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice. Easy to make this refreshing and flavorful side dish with healthy ingredients. Using flavor-enhancing techniques to amplify the aromatic tangy-garlicky-zesty flavors. Great for dinners, parties, and potlucks. We simply couldn’t stop eating this tasty rice!
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice is a popular side dish originated from Latin-America. Known as Arroz con cilantro (Cilantro Rice) or Arroz con cilantro y limón (Cilantro Lime Rice).
It’s an appetizing side dish that pairs well with many meat, seafood, beans, and vegetables.
This cilantro lime rice Instant Pot recipe goes really well with saucy and deep-flavoured dishes.
What We Look for in a Tasty Cilantro Lime Rice:
- Texture: Al dente, plump, fully cooked to the core, separate individual grains (not mush together), moist
- Taste: Tangy, slightly salty, zesty burst of lime, slightly garlicky-buttery, refreshing and bright
- Aroma: refreshing, zesty, citrusy
How to Make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Here are the ingredients for making cilantro lime rice in Instant Pot:
Rice. We developed this cilantro lime rice Instant Pot recipe with Jasmine Rice. If you substitute with other types of rice, adjust the pressure cooking time accordingly.
Lime. Wash the peel because we’ll be adding in some lime zest.
- Substitute with Lemon: You can substitute the lime with lemon. Keep in mind limes are usually smaller and less sour than lemons. The cilantro rice’s flavor profile will slightly differ according to your lemon. So adjust the amount according to your preferences.
Fresh Cilantro. Use fresh aromatic green leaves and avoid using yellow wilted leaves.
Unsalted Chicken Stock & Unsalted Butter. We developed this easy Instant Pot cilantro lime rice with unsalted ingredients for more control and consistency in the dish’s flavors. If you substitute with salted ingredients, taste and adjust the saltiness accordingly.
Tools for Cilantro Lime Rice Instant Pot Recipe
Sauté Garlic and Rice
Heat up Instant Pot using “Sauté More” function. Wait until Instant Pot says “HOT” (roughly 8 minutes).
Rinse rice under cold water, then drain well.
Add 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil or unsalted butter in Instant Pot. Ensure to coat oil over the whole bottom of the pot.
Add minced garlic in Instant Pot, then sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add 1 cup (230g) Jasmine rice and ½ teaspoon (4g) salt in Instant Pot. Then, stir and saute for another 30 seconds.
Deglaze Instant Pot
Pour 1 cup (250ml) cold water or unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot.
Then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Give it a quick mix.
Pressure Cook Rice
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Cook Time: Pressure Cook rice at High Pressure for 5 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes of natural release, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.
When the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.
Add Lime Juice, Zest, and Cilantro
Add 2 tablespoons (30ml) lime juice, lime zest, and finely chopped fresh cilantro in Instant Pot.
Then gently fluff cilantro lime rice in Instant Pot with a rice paddle or fork.
Season & Serve Cilantro Lime Rice
Taste and season the cilantro lime rice with more kosher salt if needed. Adjust the amount according to your preferences and what you’re serving it with.
- Serving with Stews or Gravy: no need to add more salt in this step
- Serving with Lighter Main Dishes: you may want to add 1 more pinch of kosher salt
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice has become a popular tasty side dish that goes well with many main and side dishes.
This easy cilantro lime rice Instant Pot recipe pairs well with deep-flavoured saucy dishes like Instant Pot Birria, Instant Pot Chili Verde, or Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef.
You can serve a delicious Mexican feast with these recipes with cilantro lime rice:
- Main Dishes: Instant Pot Carnitas, Instant Pot Salsa Chicken, Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
- Side Dishes: Instant Pot Refried Beans, Instant Pot Black Beans, Elotes (Mexican Street Corn), Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Pico de Gallo
- Dessert: Flan, Arroz con Leche
Enjoy the Best Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice!
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup (230g) Jasmine rice , rinsed
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) vegetable oil or unsalted butter
- 3 (12g) garlic cloves , minced
- ½ teaspoon (4g) fine sea salt or table salt
- 1 cup (250ml) cold water or unsalted chicken stock
- 1 - 2 tablespoons (15ml - 30ml) lime juice
- Zest from one lime
- 15 grams fresh cilantro , finely chopped
Equipment
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Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Rice: Heat up Instant Pot using “Sauté More” function. Wait until Instant Pot says “HOT”. Rinse rice under cold water, then drain well. Add 1 tbsp (15ml) vegetable oil or unsalted butter in Instant Pot. Ensure to coat oil over the whole bottom of the pot. Add in minced garlic, then sauté for 30 secs until fragrant. Add in 1 cup (230g) Jasmine rice and ½ teaspoon (4g) salt, then stir and saute for another 30 secs.
- Deglaze Instant Pot: Pour in 1 cup (250ml) cold water or unsalted chicken stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Give it a quick mix.
- Pressure Cook Rice: With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes, then Natural Release for 10 minutes. Open the lid carefully.
- Add Lime Juice, Zest, and Cilantro: Add in 2 tbsp (30ml) lime juice, lime zest, and finely chopped fresh cilantro. Then gently fluff rice with a rice paddle.
- Season & Serve: Taste and season rice with more kosher salt if needed. Adjust the amount according to your preferences and what you're serving it with. Amy + Jacky's Recommendations: -Serving with Stews or Gravy: no need to add more salt-Serving with Lighter Dishes: you may want to add 1 more pinch of kosher salt
Notes
Nutrition
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