5-Minute Cilantro-Lime Rice
This cilantro-lime rice is so quick and easy. You only need a few ingredients to make it and it cooks in the microwave in just a few minutes. Itโs one of my favorite fast side dish recipes.
A few posts ago I mentioned I could live on Mexican food or, I should say, Mexican-inspired dishes because Iโm pretty sure my burrito bowls arenโt โauthenticโ. Delicious? Yes. A cultural phenom dating back centuries? Um, no.
When youโre hungry and have everything you need for a rice bowl, waiting for 30 minutes (or longer) for the rice to cook is such a drag. When youโre really, really hungry you might end up just ordering pizza, something Iโve done many times.
So, when you make as many burrito/fajita/taco bowls as I do you start looking for shortcuts and this cilantro-lime rice is a shortcut Iโve been taking for a long time.
I didnโt think to share it until now mostly because itโs so simple itโs barely a recipe. But, when I mentioned it to a friend she felt strongly that I should share this hack. So, here we are.
How to Make Cilantro-Lime Rice in the Microwave
It starts with frozen brown rice. There are different brands and I tend to buy Birds Eye because I see it everywhere and each bag has two servings.
Place it in a microwave-safe bowl along with chopped cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and kosher salt. Give it a stir and cover it with plastic wrap.
Pop it in the microwave for about two and half to three minutes. When itโs done keep it covered for a minute or so and then uncover it and give it another stir.
Thatโs it. Thatโs the whole thing. Itโs the easiest side dish ever โ you can serve this cilantro-lime rice with all kinds of main dishes, but I use it mostly for my burrito bowl obsession. Itโs just too easy.
Happy Microwaving,
More Recipes to Try
- Homemade Salsa Verde
- Mango Avocado Salsa with Grilled Chicken
- Salsa Verde Taco Soup for Two
- Easy Cheese Dip
5-Minute Cilantro-Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen brown rice (see note)
- Juice and zest of 1 lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or more to taste
Instructions
- Place the frozen rice, lime juice, zest, cilantro and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Cook the rice in the microwave for two and a half to three minutes. Keep the bowl covered and let it stand for a minute. Uncover, stir and serve.