Craving the fresh, zesty flavor of Café Rio’s cilantro lime rice? This copycat recipe brings the perfect balance of fluffy rice, tangy lime, and aromatic cilantro, making it the ideal side dish for tacos, burritos, or even just a delicious bowl on its own. With a few simple ingredients, you can recreate that vibrant, savory taste at home.

*This is a sponsored post due to my partnership with the Utah Dairy Council.
I’ve found that when I make Mexican food lately I really want rice and beans with it, just like the restaurants do. I didn’t used to care, but I’ve really grown to like the rice and beans. We especially love how easy this rice is. There’s a touch of butter in the rice too. Let’s not forget that. A little dairy can totally change a dish for the better. True story.
I’ll include a whole section below for recreating a whole Café Rio meal that includes this easy rice recipe! Mmmm…now I’m craving some Café Rio!

Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Rice
Whether you’re planning to eat this rice as a side dish for some chicken fajitas or as the base for burrito bowls, you’re family is going to love it! Let’s jump further into the all the ingredients you will need!
- Rice: Just regular long-grain white rice will work great. Jasmine rice and basmati rice would also work.
- Water: used to cook the rice
- Unsalted Butter: adds richness and flavor
- Chicken Bouillon: Adds flavor to the rice as it simmer.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will give you the best flavor.
- Cilantro: You can’t have too much fresh cilantro in my opinion, so grab a bundle from the produce section of the grocery store and chop it up.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is definitely preferred, but if you don’t have lime, the bottled lime juice will work.
- Diced Green Chiles: I like to leave the juice in for added flavor. You can dial up the spice here with medium or hot canned chiles. We stick with mild in our house.
The measurements and details for each recipe can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice on the Stove Top
I almost always cook rice on the stove top these days. I used to be loyal to the rice cooker, but as time has gone on, I’ve found myself enjoying being a little more hands on with rice. It takes a tiny bit more work, but for me, it’s worth it. Here are the steps for making this cilantro lime rice recipe including a photo of each step below.
- Pour: Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Start with the water followed by the rice. Then add the green chiles, garlic, butter, bouillon, chopped cilantro, and the fresh lime juice.
- Boil: Give everything a good stir to combine and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, put a lid on it and let it cook for 20-30 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Fluff: Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and serve!
These instructions are also contained in the recipe card at the end of the post.








How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice in a Rice Cooker
Making this recipe on the stove top is easy enough, but if you want it even easier, use a rice cooker! Add all the ingredients to the rice cooker, give it a good stir and then set it to cook. Put the lid on and you’re done. When it is done cooking, fluff the rice and serve.
Looking for Low Carb??: We have a low carb version of this recipe as well. Try our cilantro lime cauliflower rice!
What Can You Substitute For Cilantro?
You can substitute cilantro with an equal amount of fresh parsley, tarragon, dill or a combination of the three.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Rice
If you’ve never been to Café Rio, let me paint you a picture. It’s a quick service restaurant and you walk down the cook line and order exactly what you want as you make your way toward the register watching your entire meal be made right before your eyes.
It’s similar to Chipotle or Costa Vida. You can choose a salad, tacos, a burrito, a quesadilla, nachos or enchiladas. Then you pick the type of meat you want followed by all the toppings. Everything is so fresh and delicious! Here are few more of our Café Rio Copycat Recipes to create your own meal at home:
My recommendation…put a homemade flour tortilla down into a shallow bowl and top it with a scoop of this cilantro lime rice. Then add a scoop of our favorite Mexican black beans followed by a pile of the sweet pork or shredded chicken. Top that with some shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, a sprinkle of cotija cheese and a good drizzle of the tomatillo dressing. There’s no way you won’t love it!

Storing and Reheating
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 5 days. They can be reheated on the stove top or in the microwave. I like to add a little chicken broth or water before reheating it so that it doesn’t dry out.
Rice also freezes well. Let it cool completely and then place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months and then let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned.

Watch How to Make This Cilantro Lime Rice at Home…
Learn how to make delicious and flavorful cilantro lime rice just like the popular side dish from Café Rio. This copycat recipe is easy to follow and takes less than 30 minutes with only 5 minutes of actual hands-on work. I have a feeling this recipe is going to be on your regular dinner rotation whenever you make a Mexican main dish.
More Mexican Side Dishes:
- Traditional Mexican Street Corn
- Best Mexican Black Beans
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Instant Pot Refried Beans
- Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad
- Best Pinto Beans Recipe
- Mexican Cream Corn
Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice
Description
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Rice
- 4 Cups Water
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 2 teaspoons Chicken Bouillon
- 1 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1 Handful Cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 Lime, juiced
- 1 Can Diced Green Chiles, 4 oz
Instructions
- Pour everything in a rice cooker and follow product instructions, or in a pot, heat to a boil and then add the lid and turn down to low for 20-30 minutes or until tender.2 Cups Rice, 4 Cups Water, 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, 2 teaspoons Chicken Bouillon, 1 Clove Garlic, 1 Handful Cilantro, 1/2 Lime, 1 Can Diced Green Chiles
- Remove the lid, stir to combine everything and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products


Lynne
I made this for dinner tonight and it was DELICIOUS! I will definitely be making it again.
Sweet Basil
Yay! Love to hear this Lynne!
Phyllis Schneider
I saw this in an email, and I can’t find the email again. You mentioned a brand of green chilies that you like. What was the brand of green chilies you like?
Sweet Basil
Hi Phyllis! Hatch is usually my go-to brand, but any brand will work great. Enjoy!!
Jill
Could I swap the chicken bouillon for vegetable bouillon for a vegan friend?
Sweet Basil
Absolutely!
Natalie
Do you know if I could make this in the instant pot? I am assuming I would just cut the water amount in half.
Sweet Basil
Hi Natalie! You can definitely make this in the Instant Pot. Keep all the measurements the same. It only needs 3 minutes of cook time on high pressure. For the best results, I like to let it natural release which takes about 8-10 minutes.
Elaine
Hi, Cafe Rio always had a salmon salad that was wonderful. There is not a Cafe Rio near my home. Is there a recipe for this salad that is actually that one?
Sweet Basil
Hi Elaine! We have never attempted to make a copycat of that recipe. I will add it to my list!
Tammy
Maybe I am losing my brain, but in the video I thought I saw garlic. If I did how much do I add? Lol
Sweet Basil
Hi Tammy! You are not losing your brain! There is garlic in it, but for some reason this recipe card hates me and it won’t let me add it. I’m going to try again, but just in case it doesn’t, it’s 1 clove of minced garlic.
Tonya Nish
Can you substitute brown rice for white rice in the cilantro lime rice?? Brown rice is healthier correct?
Sweet Basil
Hi Tonya! Brown rice contains more fiber than white rice. The carbs and fat content are about the same between brown and white rice. You can definitely substitute brown rice in this recipe. It will just need longer to cook.
Shelby
Hi! I love this recipe, but I’m looking at doubling it for a family gathering, do I need to cook the rice longer because of that? Thanks!
Sweet Basil
The rice shouldn’t need to cook longer as long as you cook it in a large enough pan. Maybe just keep your eye on it, but it should be fine! Enjoy and treasure that family time!!
Chanelle
Hello! I was scrolling through for the rice recipe and I saw the picture of you and your husband and thought “wait…they look like Mormons.” 😂 So I decided to read a little more and so glad I did! Thank you for reminding me to take time for myself and for my soul and for sharing your light in this world.
Sweet Basil
Haha, well I hope that’s a good thing! We definitely are and thank you for the kind comment. mwah!
Tia
We are serious Cafe Rio addicts here. Like, every Saturday for many years and often in-between for lunch. I have tried several copycat recipes in the past and all were just…meh. But your rice is PERFECT!! We all loved it, and I wanted to thank you for that. Now, to figure out their black beans…
=0}
Sweet Basil
That’s so, so sweet of you!!! And yes, we are pretty sure those black beans are cooked with bay leaf… trying to work out the rest. 🙂
Victoria
Just had to come back and comment because we had this last night and it was soo good! Have had cilantro rice that has been bland in the past- this one was sooo good! I added a little extra lime juice and zest at the end to my tastes. Thanks for a great recipe!
Sweet Basil
Victoria, so glad to hear that. Lately I’ve been adding a little more lime too. Maybe I need to change the recipe!
Celeste
What kind of rice do you use? There are plenty of options….
Sweet Basil
We usually just use long grain white, but I’ve used Short grain and even calrose.
Rod
I’ve been a fan of Cafe Rio for many years and this recipe is as good as the original. I find that since I use a low sodium chicken base, I need to add a little salt to the recipe. Also, for those that want a little more acidity, some additional lime juice can be added once the rice is cooked. A delicious recipe that I will make over and over again. Thank you!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much Rod!
Carly Kerby
I love it when I google a recipe and a Utah bloggers is up at the top! I am making this right now and can’t wait to try it!
Sweet Basil
Ahhh!! That’s so fun! Hope you love it like we do!
another
Wow! Really fantastic meal! Thanks for recepie – my Redmond 4502 remember it in its memory. It can do it for me every day and in that time I need! Similar recepie is in Redmonds cook book, but it is not the same totally.
Adelina Priddis
Oh I’m so glad I found this! I’m just starting to realize how much I like the rice and beans on the side of Mexican as well. We picked up some tamales from a local the other day, and I decided I needed cilantro lime rice with it. For sure will be trying this out tonight…kind of wish I still had my rice cooker though..oh well.
And I’m curious, did you ever read The Giver? It’s been my favorite since 5th grade!
Sweet Basil
I did! I actually just read it this fall and it is wonderful!!
CakePants
This cilantro rice looks perfect! I have had such bad luck with cilantro lime rice recipes – the first one called for waaay too much lime and was so sour I had to throw it out, and the second had a totally skewed rice-to-water ratio and I ended up with soggy green mush. Yours looks like a winner, though, so I can’t wait to try this and put my cilantro rice bad luck behind me!
Sweet Basil
I hope you love it then. Fingers crossed!
Lisa
Thanks for the recipe! Any ideas on how to prepare their black beans?
Sweet Basil
Working on that one. We make ours with a bay leaf and it tastes much more like their’s.
Lolo
Wondering if lemon pepper could also be used in this recipe???
Leigh
Love this rice!!! Have you ever tried freezing the rice?
Kathleen
Thanks for the answer re the butter. I am making this right now, and bought boullion crystals. Can I add 2tsb of the crystals, or do I have to make the boullion? A speedy response would be appreciated. Hungry family alert!
Kathleen
You mention that butter is part of the rice recipe. How much? I am going to make this weekend with a slow-cooked Pulled Pork with mexican flavors, to be eaten on tortillas. Will let you know how it turns out.
If that’s true, how much butter is it.? I cannot find the answer anywhere.
Sweet Basil
Hi Kathleen, Thanks for pointing that out! It’s 1 tablespoon per cup of rice. I’ll go edit it now.
Kathleen
You mention that butter is part of the rice recipe. How much? I am going to make this weekend with a slow-cooked Pulled Pork with mexican flavors, to be eaten on tortillas. Will let you know how it turns out.
Shelise
This looks great, thanks! I can’t wait to try it in my rice cooker. I love the book The Giver, we read it in sixth grade as a class and its been a favorite book since. Happy Reading!
Cookin Canuck
Cafe Rios rice is always so good. I’m going to have to make this to go with my husband’s favorite enchiladas.
steph@stephsbitebybite
This rice looks so fluffy! And sounds so flavorful!
katie
So funny you posted about this. When I went to Utah for the first time a few months ago this was the first place we ate. I always read about it in the blogsphere. Glad to have copycat recipe to make my own here in Florida!
Rocky Mountain Woman
Love the rice recipe! I am currently rereading Will Cather and enjoying every single word….
xxoo,
RMW
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
I could dive into this! MISS YOU
Sweet Basil
miss you too!
Jackie @ Domestic FIts
I LOVED Shadow of The Wind, I read it years ago and still think about it. For food books Yes Chef by Marcus Samuelson is really good. Also, my favorite book I’ve read in the past year is Tattoos on the Heart, it’s a true story of a priest that works in south central LA and helps gang members to turn their lives around. It’s really beautiful, and heartbreaking in a good way.
Sweet Basil
ohhh, I haven’t heard of that one! I’ll have to check it out
Deborah Carlson
Mmmm this looks and sounds really good Carrian!
Love the look of your blog…very refreshing!
Your photos are stunning and delicious looking 😉
Have a great week!
All my heart,
Deborah xo
Sweet Basil
Deborah, thank you soooo much! Your sweet comment totally just made my day.
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh, this looks so tasty! I love cilantro 🙂 can’t wait to make this!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
We love cilantro lime rice!! Yours looks delish girl 🙂
Tanna
I love Café Rio! This recipe looks so good and super easy. I can’t wait to try this rice at home.
Aggie
After seeing pics of food from Cafe Rio over the years I FINALLY got my fix at the airport last year – I had no time either so had to shovel it down. It was so good and I would be in serious trouble if I lived near one. This rice looks perfect and I wish I had it alongside our enchiladas tonight!
Sweet Basil
So good, right?!
Des @ Life’s Ambrosia
Yum! This looks like the perfect side dish! I read the Giver ages ago but remember liking it. I just finished the Kitchen House not too long ago and loved it. Other favorites of mine include: the Help, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Shadow of the Wind, A Painted House and Of Bees and Mist. I’ve got more suggestions if you want, I like to read 🙂
Sweet Basil
Dang! I need to write down half of those!!!
Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More
I’ve actually never made the cafe rio copycat rice, but LOVE it! A keep for sure!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
Such a bright, citrusy side for my favorite Tex-Mex meals! I love it, Carrian! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Sweet Basil
Thanks!!
Rocky Mountain Woman
ok, that does it! Going to Cafe Rio for lunch….
Sweet Basil
love that place. seriously.
Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion
This looks rellay good. Perfect side dish
Sweet Basil
Thanks, Tracy!
Tieghan
This is my favorite way to do rice with mexican dishes! So good!