Cilantro-Lime Rice

Cilantro-Lime Rice is a vibrant, aromatic side dish made by infusing fluffy white rice with fresh lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro. It typically includes simple ingredients like long-grain rice, water or broth, butter or oil, and salt. While it has roots in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, it has become a popular staple in many fusion and Latin American-inspired dishes.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is primarily a source of carbohydrates, providing a quick energy boost, with minimal fat and protein unless prepared with added butter or broth. A standard one-cup serving generally contains around 200-250 calories and offers small amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants from the lime and cilantro.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	216 kcal
Protein	4.3 g
Carbs	40.5 g
Fat	4.8 g
Fiber	1.8 g
Sugar	0.4 g
Sodium	305 mg
Potassium	55 mg
Iron	1.8 mg
Magnesium	12 mg
Phosphorus	48 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.2 mg
Niacin (B3)	2.1 mg
Folate	42 mcg
Manganese	0.5 mg

Per 1 cup (185 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The combination of cilantro and lime is a classic flavor profile in many Latin American cultures, used to brighten and balance heavier dishes like tacos or beans. Nutritionally, the lime juice can help with iron absorption from other foods, while cilantro is known for its unique ability to help the body detoxify from heavy metals.