Cilantro Lime Brown Rice With Asparagus

This flavorful Cilantro Lime Brown Rice recipe is packed with vibrant, refreshing flavors! Served with tender asparagus, this is a great healthy twist on a familiar side dish.

With just a few ingredients, this easy recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner. You’ll love this zesty and delicious rice recipe that’s as nutritious as it is satisfying!

💚 About This Recipe

Packed with flavor and nutrients, this super simple and flavorful brown rice recipe is a weeknight dinner lifesaver! Pair this perfect side dish with a protein of your choice and you've got an easy meal the whole family will love in just 10 minutes of cooking time.

With fresh lime juice, tender asparagus, and fragrant cilantro, this easy brown rice recipe will quickly become a weekly staple. Serve it alongside some Shrimp in Butter Lime Sauce or a Cilantro Lime Chicken dinner for a filling and hearty dish any night of the week.

🧂 Ingredients Needed

• asparagus - I prefer to use fresh asparagus for this dish, but you could use frozen asparagus as well if it's more convenient.
• lime - fresh squeezed lime juice adds a pop of delicious citrus flavor.
• butter - for the perfect amount of rich, buttery goodness.
• sea salt - balances the acidity of the lime, creating a more harmonious flavor profile.
• brown rice - has a distinct nutty taste that complements the fresh flavors of cilantro and lime.
• cilantro - try to use the freshest cilantro possible for best results.

🔪 Instructions

If you love flavorful rice dishes, try this amazing Carrot Rice. It's colorful, tasty, and easy to make! For another delicious asparagus dish, try this creamy White Asparagus Soup!

❔ FAQs

💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

• Using fresh lime juice and lime zest offers the best flavor, but you could also use bottled lime juice for a more convenient option.
• Buy packets of brown rice that can easily be cooked in the microwave for a great time saver.
• To cook your own brown rice, bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil and add 1 cup of uncooked brown rice. Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 minutes, then drain excess liquid and allow the rice to sit for 10.
• Garnish with more fresh cilantro or any leftover lime wedges, or add some chopped green onion.
• Fresh herbs work the best for ideal flavor, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch. Use about ⅓ of the amount dried.

📌 This flavorful and easy rice recipe is perfect as a starting point for any healthy and filling weeknight meal! It turns plain brown rice or any kind of short grain rice into a flavorful side dish for an easy dinner.

💡 Substitutions and Variations

• To make this a full meal, mix in some shrimp or serve with a side of breaded butterfly shrimp or popcorn shrimp.
• Feel free to omit the cilantro if you're not a fan.
• This dish can also be made with another type of rice like white rice if you prefer--white rice can be a better option if you find it difficult to digest more fiber-rich foods. Other options are brown basmati rice or jasmine rice.
• For more flavor, use extra salt and black pepper.
• Lemon juice provides a similar result and can be used instead of the lime juice.
• Load up this great side dish with even more protein by mixing in some black beans.

🥫 Storage and Reheating

Transfer leftover rice to an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat in the microwave, or heat it in a pan over medium heat. A little drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil will prevent sticking. Allow frozen cilantro lime brown rice to thaw in the fridge before reheating.

🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

This healthy side dish pairs well with a wide variety of main courses, like my Chipotle Shrimp Tacos, Crock Pot Turkey Legs, Simple Turkey Burger Sliders, or this easy but elegant Slow Cooker Cube Steak with Gravy.

📋 Recipe Card

Update Notes: This post was originally published in March 2014, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in March 2024.