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Home Side Dishes

Coconut Coriander/Cilantro Lime Rice

By:Nagi
Published:25 May '16Updated:9 Aug '20
43 Comments
Recipe v Dozer v

This Coconut Coriander / Cilantro Lime Rice is so good, you’ll be eating it plain straight out of the pot! A classic coconut rice freshened up with a burst of zesty lime and cilantro / coriander. Made in one pot, this is easy and a terrific way to jazz up plain old rice.

Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice in a bowl with a spoon, ready to be served.

My favourite way to make coconut rice is using coconut milk POWDER because the rice comes out fluffier and cleaner- here’s my recipe for Coconut Rice here. That recipe is an Asian restaurant recipe, and the secret ingredient is kaffir lime leaves – it’s what makes that little difference to make it truly restaurant quality.

This recipe is for coconut rice made with coconut MILK, not powder. It doesn’t come out quite as fluffy but is still just as tasty. I wanted to share this version made with coconut milk because I’m pretty sure that most people – myself included – will more likely have coconut milk rather than coconut powder in their pantry!

You will find that many coconut rice recipes “out there” use just rice and coconut milk. In my personal – I stress the word PERSONAL(!) – opinion, that makes the rice: a) too rich; and b) too gluggy. So I use a combination of both coconut milk and water.

As a side note, every every chef recipe I’ve come across does the same. 😉

I seriously could not stop eating this. Plain, straight out of the pot. SO GOOD!

Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice in a bowl with a spoon, ready to be served.

Coconut is quite rich, so when I serve this as a side, quite often I will freshen up the rice with lime juice. Which is why I decided to share my Coconut Coriander / Cilantro Lime Rice recipe, rather than just a Coconut Rice. 🙂 But you can omit the lime if you wish!

I served this as a side to my Hawaiian Coconut and Pineapple Chicken Skewers. It was a perfect accompaniment – not a coconut overload because of the freshness from the lime and cilantro / coriander. Also, this coconut rice and Hawaiian Chicken Skewers recipe together use up 1 can of coconut milk – perfect! 🙂

Hope you enjoy! – Nagi x

Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice on a plate topped with Hawaiian Coconut marinated Chicken Skewers.

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Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice in a bowl with a spoon, ready to be served.

Coconut Coriander (Cilantro) Lime Rice

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 25 minutes mins
Side
4.88 from 16 votes
Servings4
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A classic coconut rice recipe, with the added freshness of lime and cilantro/coriander (can be omitted if you wish). I served this with Hawaiian Marinated Chicken (together, these recipes use 1 standard can of coconut milk). This makes enough rice to serve 4 as a side.

Ingredients

Rice

  • 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, uncooked (jasmine is great too)
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp white sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt

To Finish

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander / cilantro leaves
  • 1 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (adjust to your taste)

Instructions

  • Place Rice ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat with the lid on. Bring to simmer then turn down to medium low.
  • Cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, leaving the lid on, and rest for 10 minutes.
  • Fluff rice with a fork then stir through coriander/cilantro and lime juice. Adjust lime juice to taste.

Recipe Notes:

1. This rice is suitable as a side for South East Asian (e.g. Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian), Caribbean and South American, and Hawaiian dishes.
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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43 Comments

  1. Pam says

    August 21, 2023 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    I made this to go with barramundi with coconut spinach….. match made in heaven …….

    Reply
  2. Kyra T says

    August 19, 2023 at 7:16 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t cook rice to save my life, however somehow managed to make this without stuffing up another saucepan 🤣
    Tasted amazing to btw!!

    Reply
  3. Ramona Eadens says

    March 29, 2023 at 11:01 am

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe! Will definitely make again! We loved it!!!

    Reply
  4. BethC says

    February 4, 2022 at 7:53 am

    4 stars
    I made a version of this in my older basic zojirushi rice cooker. I used coconut water not milk as invariably anything but water tends to brown or burn on the bottom. I hoped the coconut water might be different. It browned, but I caught it in time to prevent burning. The rice had a mild coconut flavor and I added lime & cilantro to it on the plate. I’m sure not as tasty as Nagi’s (whose recipes are always a hit! I want a pot w/ a glass top to cook rice stove top.) I used 3 cups coconut water to 1.5 cups long grain rice. I’ve tried less but my cooker likes liquid at the higher end. I’m sure coconut milk would have burned on the bottom. It also might just be MY cooker that burns with anything but water. Hope this helps.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 6, 2022 at 12:17 am

      Thanks for all of those tips Beth! N x

      Reply
  5. Linda says

    December 1, 2021 at 12:20 am

    Am wondering if anyone has tried making this in a rice cooker and if it works?

    Reply
  6. Mel says

    November 9, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    I know I say this every time but THIS is the most amazing flavour dinner! With the chicken. I’m blown away again. Love ya Nagi!’

    Reply
  7. LisaR says

    November 6, 2021 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, so incredibly easy and packed with flavor (and yet doesn’t distract from the main entree)! My teenage daughter wants to make this regularly:)

    Reply
  8. Laurine Esslemont says

    March 1, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    made the coconut rice…delicious

    Reply
  9. Andrea says

    February 18, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    I wanted to eat just the rice as my while meal! Served with the lime marinated chicken – perfect combo! We’ll be making again… And again!

    Reply
  10. jac says

    January 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    DELIGHTFUL
    Thankyou!!
    I made the mistake of not checking Nagi’s recipes first & made a different recipe.
    Gluggy, congealed, porridge-y mess. (The chooks loved it)
    Nagi’s recipe is perfect & tastes just like the pre-cooked Coles version that I love
    Thank you for sharing this gem!

    Reply
  11. Fiona says

    September 8, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    I really dislike coriander. Do you recommend a different herb or just leave it with the lime.

    Reply
  12. Robyn says

    June 28, 2020 at 5:13 am

    Nagi can this be cooked in a rice cooker?i really love it but do burn it every now and then

    Reply
  13. Angelina says

    May 20, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    4 stars
    Very yummy and the lime juice really cuts the richness of the coconut ricr

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 20, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Angelina! N x

      Reply
  14. Amanda says

    March 29, 2020 at 8:55 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night with a Brazilian Coconut Chickpea curry and it was a hit! Hubby loved it and he’s quite particular about his rice. The flavours are fresh yet rich and provides the perfect base for other coconut based dishes as it’s not overpowering. Thanks Nagi 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 29, 2020 at 9:03 pm

      That’s great to hear Amanda, thanks so much for letting me know! N x

      Reply
  15. Robyn says

    January 18, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious 😋

    Reply
  16. Jane says

    January 15, 2020 at 9:30 am

    Hi Nagi, do you think this would work with quinoa instead of rice? 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 15, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      Hi Jane, it would but the cook times/liquid ratio would be different!

      Reply
  17. Michelle says

    November 14, 2019 at 10:33 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi I made this and it was so delicious. Thanks for all your great recipes.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 15, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Thanks so much for the feedback Michelle!

      Reply
  18. Stacey says

    August 21, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi, I’ve been following you for quite some time and love your recipes.

    I made this rice with the Vietnamese pork chops and it was so delicious. Strangely enough I happen to have kaffir lime powder which I bought online a while ago and it brought such beautiful flavor to the rice.

    You’re my go to girl for Asian flavors.

    Reply
  19. Jan says

    July 5, 2019 at 8:12 am

    5 stars
    I forgot to add that I substitute chicken broth for the water. It always turns out delicious

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 5, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      Sounds amazing Jan!

      Reply
  20. Jan says

    July 5, 2019 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    This has been one of our favorite side dishes. I serve it with chicken..baked and kabobs. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 5, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      Great Jan!!

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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