Citric Acid Free Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy, fragrant, and finished with a bright hit of fresh lime and cilantro, this Instant Pot rice is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table. For anyone avoiding citric acid — the processed additive used as a preservative in countless packaged foods — this recipe is a breath of fresh air because every drop of tartness comes straight from real limes squeezed at home. No bottled juice, no mystery additives, just clean, whole ingredients you can feel good about. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, locking in perfectly tender grains every single time without any babysitting on the stovetop. A quick rinse before cooking removes excess starch, which means each grain stays distinct and fluffy rather than clumping together. The finishing fold of lime zest, fresh lime juice, and roughly chopped cilantro turns simple white rice into something that tastes like it belongs next to tacos, grilled chicken, or a big bowl of black beans. It's the kind of effortless, crowd-pleasing recipe you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.
About FigFig 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
- 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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!