BHA & BHT Free Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Bright, citrusy, and impossibly fluffy, this Instant Pot rice is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table. Every grain gets infused with fresh lime juice, fragrant zest, and a generous handful of chopped cilantro — no dried seasonings or mystery flavor packets required. That matters more than you might think, because many packaged rice mixes and seasoning blends rely on synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT to extend shelf life, making them a minefield for anyone avoiding those additives. Here, every single ingredient is whole and straightforward: rinsed long-grain white rice, real butter, fresh limes, and herbs you can see and smell. Rinsing the rice before cooking removes excess starch for a cleaner texture, and the natural pressure release in the Instant Pot gives you perfectly separated, tender grains every time. Folding in the lime and cilantro after cooking keeps the flavors vivid and fresh rather than muted by heat. It pairs beautifully with grilled proteins, tacos, or burrito bowls, and you'll feel good knowing exactly what went into every bite.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- 1
Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water, stirring with your hand, until the water runs mostly clear, about 30 seconds.
- 2
Add the rinsed rice, water, butter, and salt to the Instant Pot insert and stir briefly to combine.
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