Gluten-Free Cilantro Lime Rice
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
Brighten any meal with this vibrant cilantro lime rice, bursting with zesty citrus and fresh herbaceous notes. Each fluffy grain is infused with a tangy lime dressing and fragrant cilantro, creating a perfectly balanced and refreshing side dish.
At a glance: This medium salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 45 minutes (15 min prep, 30 min cook). It uses 9 ingredients — including long-grain white rice, water or vegetable broth, salt — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Cilantro Lime Rice: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, commercial broths and stocks are high risk — many contain yeast extract (often barley-derived), wheat starch, or caramel colour from wheat. Use certified GF stock (Pacific Foods Organic GF, Swanson Natural Goodness) or make your own. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools. Broth often contains yeast extract or barley derivatives; use only certified gluten-free broth.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Cilantro Lime Rice: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on rice as its base. Always ensure any packaged broths or seasonings used are certified gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.125 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the long-grain white rice under cool water until the water runs clear, which helps remove excess starch for fluffier rice. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water or vegetable broth, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- 2
While the rice is cooking, prepare the cilantro-lime dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, 0.25 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper until well combined. The mixture should be fragrant and slightly emulsified.
- 3
Once the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it steam, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This allows the grains to fully absorb any remaining moisture and become perfectly fluffy. Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- 4
Add the chopped fresh cilantro to the fluffed rice. Drizzle the prepared cilantro-lime dressing over the rice and cilantro. Gently toss everything together with a fork until the rice is evenly coated with the dressing and the cilantro is distributed throughout. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or lime juice for desired flavor.
- 5
Serve the cilantro lime rice warm as a delicious side dish. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, fish, or as a base for burrito bowls. The vibrant flavors are best enjoyed fresh, but it can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- If substituting olive oil for butter, use about 3/4 the amount (olive oil is 100% fat, butter is ~80%).
- Press or mince garlic rather than slicing for a more pungent flavor; slice for a milder taste.
- Let cooked rice rest, covered and off the heat, for 5–10 minutes for fluffier grains.
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