Gluten Free Cilantro Lime Rice

Total time35 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time20 min

4.6

(19)

Bright, herby, and packed with citrus punch, this cilantro lime rice is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table. Every ingredient here is naturally free of gluten — plain long-grain white rice, fresh limes, olive oil, and a generous handful of chopped cilantro — so there's no label-scanning or ingredient swapping required. The technique is simple but deliberate: rinsing the rice first removes excess starch for fluffier results, and letting it steam off the heat for five minutes before fluffing makes a real difference in texture. A hit of both lime zest and fresh lime juice layers the citrus flavor in a way that feels restaurant-worthy without any extra effort. The optional pat of unsalted butter folded in at the end adds a subtle richness that ties everything together beautifully. This recipe makes four servings, so it's perfectly sized for a weeknight family dinner or as part of a bigger spread with tacos, grilled proteins, or roasted vegetables.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
2 ¼ cups water
1 tbsp olive oil
¾ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp lime zest (from about 1 lime)
3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tsp unsalted butter (optional)

Instructions

1
Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water, stirring with your hand, until the water runs mostly clear, about 30 seconds. Drain well.
2
Combine the rinsed rice, water, olive oil, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly, and cook until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!