Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

This Instant Pot cilantro lime rice is a simple, bright side dish made with jasmine rice, lime, and fresh cilantro. The pressure cooker does most of the work, and the batch yields about 6 cups.

Serve it with tacos, burrito bowls, or your favorite protein. Use water instead of chicken broth for a vegan option, and adjust the salt as noted in the recipe.

Dr. J’s Kitchen

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

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Jasmine rice pressure cooked with broth or water, then finished with lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and olive oil.

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Servings: 6 servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican & Tex-Mex

Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups jasmine rice (about 370 g)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock or broth or water for a vegan option (480 mL)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (30 mL)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt use 1 teaspoon if using water instead of broth (2.5 mL)
• 1 small lime zest and juice
• 1/2 bunch cilantro chopped

Equipment

• Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
• Fine-mesh metal strainer
• Measuring cup
• Zester
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Rinse the rice in a metal strainer under cold water and drain. The source notes it also works without rinsing if you want to save a step.
2. Add the rice, chicken stock or broth, olive oil, and salt to the Instant Pot inner pot. Stir.
3. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual Pressure, High for 5 minutes.
4. When the timer ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then carefully release any remaining pressure according to your Instant Pot model. Wait until the pressure pin drops before opening the lid.
5. Remove the lid. Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Fluff and serve.

Video

Notes

Yield: Makes approximately 6 cups.

Vegan option: Use water instead of chicken broth and increase the kosher salt to 1 teaspoon, as specified in the source.

Rice rinsing: Rinsing is included in the original method, but Dr. J’s description notes the recipe also worked when she skipped that step.

Pressure timing: Pressure cook on High for 5 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release. Time for the pot to come to pressure is additional.

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Tips for Instant Pot cilantro lime rice

Use low-sodium chicken broth for a savory rice, or water for a vegan option. When using water, the source increases the salt from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon.

The pressure-cooking setting is 5 minutes on High, followed by a 10-minute natural release. Release any remaining pressure carefully and wait for the pin to drop before opening the cooker.

Stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro after cooking to keep their fresh flavor bright. The source notes rinsing can be skipped if you want to save a step.

What to serve with cilantro lime rice

Serve as a side with tacos or your favorite protein, or use it as a base for burrito bowls. The source describes it as a meal-prep-friendly pairing for weeknight dinners.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use water instead of chicken broth?

Yes. For a vegan option, use water and increase the kosher salt to 1 teaspoon.

How long does cilantro lime rice cook in the Instant Pot?

Pressure cook on High for 5 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release. Time for the cooker to reach pressure is additional.

Do I have to rinse the rice?

The original method rinses and drains the rice, but the description notes that the recipe also worked without rinsing.

How much rice does this recipe make?

It makes approximately 6 cups.

Watch Dr. J Make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Watch Dr. J make Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice and see how it comes together.

Products used

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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

4 Pack Silicone Utensils Set

Luvan 4 Cup Glass Measuring Cup

HANSGO Long Handle Wooden Spoons, 6PCS