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.
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.
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…
- Crockpot chipotle carne asada recipe
- Instant pot beef carnitas
- Instant pot hawaiian chicken
- Crockpot pork carnitas
- Instant pot chicken stir fry
- Sheet pan sausage and veggies
- Sheet pan steak fajitas
- Instant pot jerk chicken bowls
- Teriyaki chicken on a stick
- Salmon sushi bowls
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.
- long-grain brown rice
- water
- sea salt
- lime zest
- fresh lime juice
- fresh cilantro
How to make this flavorful side dish
- 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!
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.
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.
More easy recipes you’ll love
- Spicy shrimp bowl with melon
- Baked salmon with mango salsa
- Crockpot pork carnitas
- Sheet pan steak fajitas
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain brown rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
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
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
