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The base of any burrito bowl just got better with this instant pot cilantro lime brown rice! Simplify cook time by utilizing the pressure cooker for this easy side dish. Fresh lime juice, lime zest and herby cilantro flavor up this perfectly cooked brown rice recipe.

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Instant Pot Cilantro Brown Rice

Cilantro lime brown rice instant pot recipe

Let’s copycat Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice today! Instead of white rice, we’re swapping in brown basmati rice and cooking it in the instant pot!

This healthy whole grain gets some fresh flavor added in that truly makes this taste special.

Burrito bowls need this one. It’s the perfect side dish to go with taco Tuesday! Think – Mexican-style bowls, fajitas, and tacos.

burrito bowl with instant pot brown rice

What type of rice to use?

You’ll want to use long-grain brown rice here. Both brown basmati and brown jasmine work really well.

Jasmine is a bit stickier and sweeter when cooked, and is my go-to for any asian meal.

Brown basmati rice has a lovely nutty flavor and is my go-to when pairing it with Mexican meals.

You can also use white long grain rice here, simply reduce the cooking time!

Try this instant pot brown rice with…

ingredients for Cilantro Brown Rice instant pot

What you need for this instant pot cilantro lime rice recipe

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

nstant pot cilantro-lime rice

How to make this flavorful side dish

  1. To an electric pressure cooker(instant pot), add rinsed brown rice, water, sea salt, and lime zest. Stir to combine.
  2. Add the lid, ensuring that it is set to SEAL, and pressure cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
  3. After 22 minutes, allow the pressure to naturally release (this should take 10-15 minutes).
  4. If any pressure remains, manually release it and remove the lid.
  5. Add the lime juice and chopped cilantro and toss to combine, and enjoy!

Watch me make instant pot cilantro-lime rice

The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!

Stovetop instructions

Cilantro lime brown rice can be cooked on the stovetop or in the rice cooker too!

To cook on the stovetop, bring the liquid to a simmer and add the salt, zest, and rice. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender. Add the lime juice and cilantro and enjoy the lime flavor in this dish!

You can also cook using a rice cooker. Simply add the liquid, salt, zest, and rice, stir, and turn the rice cooker on to cook. When it finishes, toss in the lime juice and chopped cilantro.

How to store for meal prep

Leftover rice can be stored in the fridge once fully cooled, or even frozen!

The best flavor will be found in the first 3-4 days after it’s been cooked, but it will last for up to 5-6 days in the fridge.

Cooled rice should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, and then reheated in a skillet with a little bit of water to rehydrate it.

You can also freeze cooked rice! Add to a freezer bag, label it, date it, and keep frozen for up to 6 months.

brown rice instant pot

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this easy rice recipe. 

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Brown basmati rice – White basmati rice works here as a substitute, as does any long-grain brown rice. Try white or brown jasmine for an easy instant pot jasmine rice!

Water – Add more flavor to your rice by substituting bone broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth for the water. You can also do a mix of half water, and half broth.

Fresh limes – If you don’t have fresh limes on hand, you can use bottled lime juice. Lemon juice and lemon zest work as a substitute as well.

Cilantro – You can substitute dried cilantro for fresh. Parsley is another good herb choice to use.

Instant Pot Cilantro Brown Rice

More easy recipes you’ll love

Instant Pot Cilantro Brown Rice
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 6

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Instant Pot

By Heather
The base of any burrito bowl just got better with this instant pot cilantro lime brown rice! Simplify cook time by utilizing the pressure cooker for this easy side dish. Fresh lime juice, lime zest and herby cilantro flavor up this perfectly cooked brown rice recipe.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 22 minutes
Natural Release Time: 10 minutes
Total: 37 minutes
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • To an electric pressure cooker (instant pot), add rinsed brown rice, water, sea salt, and lime zest. Stir to combine.
  • Add the lid, ensuring that it is set to SEAL, and pressure cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
  • After 22 minutes, allow the pressure to naturally release (this should take 10-15 minutes).
  • If any pressure remains, manually release it and remove the lid.
  • Add the lime juice and chopped cilantro and toss to combine, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 395mg, Potassium: 38mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.3g, Vitamin A: 48IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!
Instant Pot Cilantro Brown Rice

If you try this simple recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!

XO

Heather

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Heather

Hi! I’m Heather, the creator of Fit Mama Real Food, cookbook author, nutrition coach, group fitness instructor, wife, and mom of four. I’m so glad you are here!

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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