Paraben Free Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
Bright, citrusy, and fragrant, this Instant Pot rice is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the dinner table. Fresh lime juice, lime zest, and a generous handful of chopped cilantro get folded in right at the end, so every bite is vibrant and aromatic rather than flat or one-note. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting here — just three minutes on high pressure followed by a natural release, and you've got perfectly fluffy long-grain rice without any babysitting. Rinsing the rice first helps achieve that light, separated texture that makes the finished dish feel almost restaurant-quality. For anyone navigating preservative sensitivities, this recipe is reassuringly straightforward: every ingredient is whole and fresh, with nothing processed or packaged that might sneak in unwanted additives. A pat of unsalted butter adds just enough richness to round out the citrus without weighing things down. It pairs beautifully with grilled proteins, tacos, or grain bowls, and honestly holds its own as a simple lunch straight from the pot.
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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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