Coconut Lime Rice

This Coconut Lime Rice recipe is the perfect side dish for all your favourite Asian-style meals! Make it in under 20 minutes with only a few simple ingredients!

 

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

If you’re looking for a new and EASY side dish to jazz up your weeknight meal routine you’re going to LOVE this easy Coconut Lime Rice!! This Coconut Lime Rice recipe is just about as easy to prepare as regular white rice, but it’s got TONS of flavour your family will love! This Coconut and Lime Rice would be the perfect side dish for any of those delicious and easy dinner options – especially those Asian-style dishes, stir fry, and curry!

Here are just a few reasons why we love this Coconut and Lime Rice!

1. It’s EASY to MAKE – This coconut lime rice is so easy, especially if you have a rice cooker. Simply add all the ingredients to your rice cooker, set to cook, and let the rice cooker do all the work! If you don’t have one, just add all the ingredients to a medium pot, cook on medium heat until all the liquid is absorbed, let stand with the lid on for several minutes, fluff with a fork, and serve!
2. It’s VERSATILE – This coconut lime rice is great as a side dish or used in rice bowls like our Healthy Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls or in our Korean Beef Rice Bowls.
3. It’s FULL of FLAVOUR – It’s a step up from regular rice, it’s full of coconut and lime flavour and it’s just as easy to make as white rice.

Make the BEST Coconut Lime Rice – the easy way – with all our PRO tips and tricks!

Real, good-quality canned coconut milk is an essential ingredient in this Coconut Lime Rice Recipe – be sure to buy the canned variety and steer clear of the coconut milk beverage sold in the natural beverage aisle.

Use long grain varieties like basmati or jasmine, as they are the best to give a fluffy texture. Short grain rice can get soggy and very sticky.

Make sure the ratio is 2:1 for liquid and rice to avoid too much liquid being added. Too much liquid will lead to over-cooking the rice, so be sure to measure carefully!

If you are making the coconut lime rice on the stove top, bring the pot to a boil and then turn the temperature down to simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Remove the pot from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5-10 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice. (If it stays on high heat, the temperature will break down the grains and give the rice a gummy, sticky texture.)

Don’t lift the lid as it will release the steam and stop the cooking process. This is also the reason we don’t stir the rice during the cooking process. You can fluff with a fork once it’s done cooking.

If you’re having trouble with this Coconut Lime recipe, here are some issues you might encounter and some solutions to fix or prevent these issues:

Once the rice cooker clicks to KEEP WARM, fluff immediately to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom. If you’re making the rice in a pot on the stove, be sure to turn down the heat once the water comes to a boil. This will prevent it from burning on the bottom.

The rice can become mushy if too much liquid is added. Make sure to follow the ratio of coconut milk and water to keep the liquid level controlled.

Make sure to follow the recipe and let the rice sit so that the rice finishes cooking with the steam. If you over-cook or use a temperature that’s too high and forget to simmer, the rice will become mushy and have a gummy texture.

The rice needs to sit covered for 5-10 minutes after cooking as it allows the moisture to redistribute for an even texture and taste. Let it sit and it should develop a beautiful texture.

To make this Coconut Lime Rice recipe, you’ll need these kitchen items on hand (paid links):

• Rice Cooker or a large pot with lid
• measuring cups and spoons
• Microplane Zester
• citrus juicer
• chef’s knife
• Cutting Board

To make this easy coconut and lime rice, you will need these items on hand:

• 1 3/4 cup white basmati rice
• 1 3/4 cups canned coconut milk (about one 14.5oz can – mix well before incorporating so both the coconut water and coconut cream are included)
• 1 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 lime juice and zest
• chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Try one of these variations for a slight twist on this easy basic coconut rice recipe!

1. Coconut Curry – Add in a teaspoon of curry powder or turmeric to the liquid before cooking for an Indian-flavoured side dish.
2. Mango-infused – Add in about 1/2 cup diced fresh mango to the rice before serving. Sprinkle with freshly chopped mint or basil for a Caribbean-style meal.

• Add the rice, coconut milk, water, salt, lime juice and lime zest to a medium pot. Stir well to combine.
• Put the lid on and cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, or until it appears all the liquid has absorbed.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let sit for about 10 minutes with the lid on.
• Fluff with a fork and serve.

We hope you love this Coconut Lime Rice as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite Asian-style main dish you’d serve with this Coconut Lime Rice? We’d love to know!

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