ThisCafe Rio Cilantro Lime Ricepacks a ton of bright, hearty flavors into a simple-to-make dish. Whether you use this rice with tacos, burritos, bowls, or nachos, it is sure to be a big hit!

a bowl of cilantro lime rice topped with fresh cilantro. Bowl is surrounded by cilantro and limes.

If you’ve never been to Cafe Rio, run, don’t walk, to your nearest location (unless that requires you getting on an airplane, in which case, take if from the rest of us, this Mexican joint is GOOD). My entire family enjoys their flavor-filled entrees and appetizers, and I always appreciate a place that’s easy to get in, order, eat, and get out of in a timely manner.

If you’re craving the tastes of our beloved Cafe Rio at home, this cilantro lime rice recipe will leave you satisfied. Pair it with my recipes for sweet pork barbacoa andblack beans, inspired by the same restaurant’s dishes, for the full Cafe-Rio-at-home experience!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The rice is full of delicious flavor.
It is quick and easy to make.
You can use this versatile rice in a variety of dishes.

Recipe Ingredients

Rice—Uncooked. Any kind of rice will work.
Garlic Cloves—Freshly minced.
Lime Juice—Adds a nice zesty flavor to the rice.
Lime Zest—Helps amplify the flavor of the lime juice.
Chicken Bouillon—Brings flavor to the rice while it cooks.
Water
Granulated Sugar—Gives the rice a hint of sweetness to balance the bouillon.
Cilantro—Freshly chopped.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How To Make Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice

Add the water, rice, garlic, lime zest, and chicken bouillon to a pot.
Heat the mixture until the water begins to bowl and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot with a lid.
Cook the rice until it is soft and tender.
Whisk together the sugar, lime juice, and cilantro. Stir the cilantro mixture into the rice.
Serve and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What kind of rice do you use in cilantro lime rice?

You can use any rice you like in this recipe! I prefer brown rice most of the time, but you can have fun experimenting with white, Jasmine, long-grain, or short-grain rices, or even quinoa! Just adjust the water to accommodate the grain that you are using. The lime and cilantro elements are the things that really pack in freshness and flavor, and the rice is more of the base to house it all. So feel free to get creative!

Can you make cilantro lime rice without cilantro?

If you have a family member or friend who’s a cilantro naysayer, make a portion the exact same way as the rest of recipe, and withhold the cilantro. The lime, garlic, and salt will still add a ton of flavor to the rice, and if you want, you can use parsley or oregano for a different type of herbal component.

How to make Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice in an Instant Pot?

Instant Pots are awesome for prepping food fast, without sacrificing deliciousness! If you’re an Instant Pot aficionado, simply follow the first recipe instruction step, and then hit the “rice” setting on your Instant Pot before carrying on with the rest of the recipe. Again, be mindful the the grain to water ratio, depending on what you have decided to cook.

a plate of cilantro lime rice topped with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Plate is surrounded by cilantro, limes, and spices.

Expert Tips

Feel free to useany kind of ricein this recipe, just make sure youadjust the amount of liquidyou use to match the kind of rice you use.
You cancut downon your cook time by using apressure cooker or instant potif you have one.
We like to use freshly squeezed lime juice, butbottled lime juice can be used as well.
This rice goes great with grilled chicken,barbacoa, etc.