Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

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Rice is an absolute staple in our home. We eat it at least 3 times a week. So this Instant Pot cilantro lime rice recipe has quickly become our go-to rice for cheap weeknight meals.

The original recipe was sent to me by the 4Sisters rice team, and I just had to try it during our Taco Bowls dinner. Once I gave it a go, I realized this is can be the perfect Instant Pot rice recipe!

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Why The Instant Pot Works For This Rice Recipe

Cilantro lime rice in the Instant Pot is actually pretty simple to make. Since the Instant Pot has a saute button, it makes it easy to get all the steps done at once.

You will need to saute garlic and onions, but once that’s done, everything else is a breeze.

Organic Rice Is The Secret

4Sisters also sent me a few bags of their organic, made in the USA rice. You guys. I’m so impressed with this rice! Since rice is such a staple for us, I do love when I can invest in a better version of it.

4Sisters Rice is made in the USA, and is a family-owned, women-led rice brand. It’s available in Organic White and Brown Rice varieties. It’s also sustainably grown and USDA-Certified Organic!

Replacement Ingredients

While making this recipe the way it is will bring the best flavor, you can substitute or omit certain items. 

Don’t have low-sodium chicken broth? Regular will do. Want to make this vegetarian? Vegetable broth works!

If you aren’t big on garlic, you can omit it. If you just think 3 cloves is too much, feel free to only use 1. I highly recommend having some garlic flavor in the rice, because it makes it taste like that cilantro lime rice we get from our favorite Mexican restaurants.

Ready for the cilantro lime rice recipe? Well, let’s go!

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cups long grain rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 limes, juice of 2 and zest of 2, reserve juice of one for garnish
Fresh chopped cilantro, to taste, for seasoning and garnish

Instructions:
Place rice in a mesh strainer or large bowl, then rinse with cold water. Drain.
Set Instant Pot on saute.
Add the garlic and onion, sauté for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent and tender.
Add 2 cups of chicken broth, the juice of 2 limes and zest of 2 limes. Stir together.
Turn off saute function. Put Instant Pot on Manual High pressure.
Cook rice for 5 minutes. Let the rice natural release for 10 minutes.
Just before serving, fluff the rice, stir in juice of the reserved lime and add chopped fresh cilantro, to taste.
Garnish with un-chopped cilantro leaf.
Enjoy as a side dish to your favorite Spanish main course.

Yield: 10 servings

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

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This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice recipe has quickly become our go-to rice for cheap weeknight meals.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
• 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cups long grain rice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 limes, juice of 2 and zest of 2, reserve juice of one for garnish
• Fresh chopped cilantro, to taste, for seasoning and garnish

Instructions

1. Place rice in a mesh strainer or large bowl, then rinse with cold water. Drain.
2. Set Instant Pot on saute.
3. Add the garlic and onion, saute for 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent and tender.
4. Add 2 cups of chicken broth, the juice of 2 limes and zest of 2 limes. Stir together.
5. Turn off saute function. Put Instant Pot on Manual High pressure.
6. Cook rice for 5 minutes. Let the rice natural release for 10 minutes.
7. Just before serving, fluff the rice, stir in juice of the reserved lime and add chopped fresh cilantro, to taste.
8. Garnish with un-chopped cilantro leaf.
9. Enjoy as a side dish to your favorite Spanish main course.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 309mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g