This Cilantro Lime Cafe Rio Rice recipe is the perfect addition to your Mexican dinner. A tasty side dish that can be added to your burritos, tacos, salads or as a side.
CAFE RIO CILANTRO LIME RICE
One of my favorite Mexican Restaurants makes the most amazing rice! I love to get it on top of my chicken tostada or wrapped up in their burrito! I shared earlier my copycat Cafe Rio recipes for Cafe Rio’s Shredded Chicken and Cafe Rio’s Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing. The three of these recipes together makes for a delicious Mexican dinner! This Cafe Rio Rice Recipe is so good you will forget that it is a copycat recipe!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CILANTRO LIME RICE
There are so many ways you can serve this cilantro lime rice recipe. I love to serve it with it my favorite Mexican Dishes like I mentioned earlier, but the possibilities are endless. Here are some of the ways you can serve this delicious side dish to your family and friends.
- burritos
- tacos
- salads
- tostadas
- quesadillas
- enchiladas
- barbacoa
- carnitas
- shredded chicken
- garlic shrimp
- sweet pork
- fish
- asian dishes
- black beans
- pinto beans
- use in burrito bowls
HOW MUCH COOKED RICE IS YIELDED FROM UNCOOKED RICE
Generally, most rice will triple when cooked, so 1 cup of raw rice will yield 3 cups cooked. Brown rice expands a bit more than white rice so it will yield a larger volume than white rice.
- 1 cup uncooked white rice makes about 3 cups cooked white rice.
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice makes about 4 cups cooked brown rice.
WHAT TYPE OF RICE CAN I USE?
You can use many different types of rice for this recipe. We prefer using white rice or jasmine rice. But here are a list of rices that work well depending on your preferences.
HOW TO MAKE CILANTRO LIME BROWN RICE
The only difference between cooking brown rice and white rice is the water to rice ratio. Because of the outer bran coating, more water and a longer cooking time is needed for brown rice.
I heard that there is a 1-2-3 ratio for perfect white rice…or take 1 cup of rice add 2 cups of water, and it will make 3 cups of rice. This ratio doesn’t work for brown rice. You will need to check the directions on the brown rice package to get the right water ratio for the brand of rice you are using.
I have had success using the exact same recipe shared here and then adding 1 additional cup of water and cooking the rice for 45-50 minutes.
CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE SUPPLIES
- Rice cooker
- Spurtle
- Lime juicer
- Garlic mincer
- Wooden Teaspoon Set
- Mixing Bowls
- skillet
- saucepan
- hot pads
- wooden spoons
- garlic press
- herb scissors
- cutting board
- knife
- hand towels
- salt and pepper shaker
INGREDIENTS IN CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE
- long grain white rice
- bunch fresh cilantro
- fresh lime juice
- cloves of garlic
- green enchilada sauce
- water or chicken broth
HOW TO MAKE CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE
CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE ON THE STOVETOP
- Chop garlic or mince garlic.
- Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a skillet.
- Add rice, garlic, and cilantro.
- Saute 3-5 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add lime juice, enchilada sauce and water.
- Bring to a boil and then cover and turn down heat to low and simmer until tender for about 20 minutes.
- Remove cilantro if you don’t want it in your rice. I chop it up a bit and just add a little to the rice. You can also add a bit of lime zest and/or green chilies to your cooked rice to add more flavor.
MAKE CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE IN RICE COOKER
- Add all the ingredients to your rice cooker and cook for 20 minutes or use the directions of your rice cooker.
- Remove cilantro if you don’t want it in your rice. I chop it up a bit and just add a little to the rice.
This recipe can also be made in the Instant Pot, just adjust your cooking time and use the rice cooking setting.
HOW TO STORE CILANTRO LIME RICE
Storing this rice is easy and it can last up to one week if stored in an airtight container that seals well. Keep in the refrigerator.
CAFE RIO COPYCAT RECIPES
Be sure to check out my other cafe rio copycat recipes! These are so yummy and I always make them to pair together to create an entire meal. It’s always a hit and a delicious Mexican meal the whole family enjoys.
CILANTRO LIME RICE VIDEO
Watch our video to see just how quickly you can whip up this delicious copycat Cafe Rio rice recipe. It literally is so easy in your rice cooker. You can also make it on the stovetop if you follow the directions that are also included in the recipe below.
CILANTRO LIME CAFE RIO RICE RECIPE
Cafe Rio Cilantro Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup green enchilada sauce
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Stovetop directions:
-
Chop garlic.
-
Heat 2 Tbsp of oil in a skillet.
-
Add rice, garlic, and cilantro.
-
Saute 3-5 minutes stirring frequently.
-
Add lime juice, enchilada sauce and water.
-
Cover and simmer until tender for about 20 minutes.
-
Remove cilantro if you don’t want it in your rice. I chop it up a bit and just add a little to the rice.
Rice Cooker directions:
-
Add all the ingredients to your rice cooker and cook for 20 minutes or use the directions of your rice cooker.
-
Remove cilantro if you don’t want it in your rice. I chop it up a bit and just add a little to the rice.
Recipe Notes
Rice Cooker directions: Add everything to your rice cooker and then cook for 20 minutes or according to your rice cooker directions. Remove cilantro if you don’t want it in your rice. I chop it up a bit and just add a little to the rice.
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Jacinda Heyder says
My rice was hard, what do I need to do different?
The Idea Room Assistant says
Jacinda- Did you use brown rice or white rice? You may try adding 1/4 cup more water if you rice did not turn out.
What is enchilada sauce? Do I buy it or make it?
Sandy- You can buy it, its usually in a can.