This Healthy Cilantro Rice is the perfect summer side dish! The basmati rice is simmered with coconut milk to give it a creamy texture, and it has a light and fresh flavor from the cilantro! Plus this recipe is super easy to make, and only requires a few ingredients. The best part?? Your family will never know you snuck in 2 cups of cauliflower rice!
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🍴Ingredient Notes
- Cauliflower Rice - Fresh or frozen will work!
- Coconut Milk - You can also sub with water or broth.
- Uncooked Basmati Rice - Jasmine rice will work too!
- Chopped Cilantro - Make sure to chop the cilantro before adding it in! Make a little extra to sprinkle on top.
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1:
Add water into a medium sized sauce pan. Cover, and turn on high until it begins to boil.
Step 2:
Once it's boiling, stir in the cilantro, salt, black pepper, basmati rice, and cauliflower rice. Turn the temperature down to low, cover it and let simmer until the water has been absorbed. (Keep an eye on it for a few minutes to make sure it doesn't bubble over!)
Step 3:
When the rice mixture is light and fluffy, remove the pan from the heat.
Step 4:
Before serving, use a fork to "fluff" it up! Enjoy hot!
Recipe Tips
- Don't forget to give your cilantro rice a generous amount of salt and pepper!
- Chop the cilantro before adding it in. It's also great to make a little extra to sprinkle on top!
- When you add in the rice and spices to the boiling coconut milk, make sure to thoroughly stir the mixture. If rice sticks to the bottom of the pot, it will burn.
- After you cover the pot and turn the temperature lower, keep an eye on it!
- If you don't have coconut milk, you can also cook the rice with water or broth.
- I used basmati rice for this recipe, but if you use a different kind of rice, make sure to follow the directions on the bag. (You might need more or less liquid.)
- Want a little extra flavor? Stir in some fresh lime juice when it's done cooking!
What should I serve with my Cilantro Rice?
- I use this recipe in my Grilled Stuffed Peppers - if you haven't tried, I highly recommend!
- It's a great side dish to pair with grilled food! (Chicken/steak/vegetables.)
- Add it to your tacos, taco salad, or burrito bowls!
- Use it as a topping for Pepper Nachos!
How to store leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (I like using Ello Containers because they're glass + microwave safe!) To heat up, just microwave for about 45-60 seconds.
More rice recipes!
- Healthy Butternut Squash Risotto (Dairy-Free)
- Paleo Fried "Rice"
- Creamy Vegetable Risotto (Dairy-Free)
After you make this Healthy Cilantro Rice, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe! Your feedback is helpful for me, and for anyone planning to try this recipe. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Recipe
Healthy Cilantro Rice
Equipment
- Medium sized sauce pan
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cauliflower Rice Fresh or frozen will work!
- 1 + ½ Cups Coconut Milk You can also sub with water.
- ½ Cup Uncooked Basmati Rice Jasmine rice will work too!
- 2 Tablespoons Chopped Cilantro
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add water into a medium sized sauce pan. Cover, and turn on high until it begins to boil.
- Once it's boiling, stir in the cilantro, salt, black pepper, basmati rice, and cauliflower rice. Turn the temperature down to low, cover it and let simmer until the water has been absorbed. (Keep an eye on it for a few minutes to make sure it doesn't bubble over!)
- When the rice mixture is light and fluffy, remove the pan from the heat.
- Before serving, use a fork to "fluff" it up! Enjoy hot!
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Don't forget to give your cilantro rice a generous amount of salt and pepper!
- Chop the cilantro before adding it in. It's also great to make a little extra to sprinkle on top!
- When you add in the rice and spices to the boiling coconut milk, make sure to thoroughly stir the mixture. If rice sticks to the bottom of the pot, it will burn.
- After you cover the pot and turn the temperature lower, keep an eye on it!
- If you don't have coconut milk, you can also cook the rice with water or broth.
- I used basmati rice for this recipe, but if you use a different kind of rice, make sure to follow the directions on the bag. (You might need more or less liquid.)
- Want a little extra flavor? Stir in some fresh lime juice when it's done cooking!
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