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Cilantro lime rice served in a wooden bowl with fresh lime wedges, sliced avocado, and cilantro garnish on a dark surface

Viral TikTok Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

This viral TikTok cilantro lime rice recipe creates perfectly fluffy, restaurant-quality rice that's even better than Chipotle's version. With fresh cilantro, zesty lime, and aromatic garlic, this 15-minute side dish transforms any meal into a fiesta.
4 from 1 vote
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Course : Side Dish
Cuisine : Mexican
Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cook Time : 18 minutes
Rest Time : 5 minutes
Total Time : 28 minutes
Servings : 6
Calories : 185kcal
Cost : $2.25
Author : Aliana Recipes

Equipment

  • 1 Medium saucepan with lid For cooking the rice perfectly
  • 1 Fine mesh strainer To rinse rice until water runs clear
  • 1 Fork To fluff rice and mix in cilantro
  • 1 Citrus juicer or reamer To extract fresh lime juice

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup Long-grain white rice - Jasmine or basmati work best
  • 1.75 cups Water - Or low-sodium chicken broth for extra flavor
  • 1 teaspoon Salt - Kosher or sea salt preferred
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice - From about 1-2 limes
  • ⅓ cup Fresh cilantro - Chopped, packed measurement
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil or butter - Optional, for extra richness
  • 1 clove Garlic - Minced, optional

Instructions

  • Rinse 1 cup rice in fine mesh strainer until water runs clear. This removes excess starch for perfectly separate grains.
  • Combine rinsed rice, 1.75 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan. Bring to boil, then reduce to lowest heat, cover, and simmer 18 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff with fork to create light, airy texture.
  • Stir in 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice and ⅓ cup chopped cilantro. Add minced garlic if using. Taste and adjust lime/salt as needed.
  • Serve immediately while warm, or keep covered until ready to serve. Perfect with tacos, burrito bowls, or any Mexican meal.

Notes

The secret to viral TikTok cilantro lime rice is using the right rice-to-water ratio and adding lime juice at the end to preserve that bright, zesty flavor. This copycat recipe rivals any restaurant version and pairs perfectly with tacos, burrito bowls, or grilled proteins.

Nutrition

Serving : 150g | Calories : 185kcal | Carbohydrates : 38g | Protein : 4g | Fat : 2g | Saturated Fat : 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat : 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat : 0.8g | Sodium : 390mg | Potassium : 85mg | Fiber : 1g | Vitamin A : 520IU | Vitamin C : 12mg | Calcium : 25mg | Iron : 1.2mg