Never quite sure how to cook rice? This recipe is for you. This easy Coconut Lime Rice recipe is a failsafe way to fluffy rice that's never mushy or undercooked. Delicately flavored with coconut milk and lime, this is a tried and tested side with cooking instructions for both the stovetop and a rice cooker.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Family Food Kitchen
This flavor packed coconut rice dish is a great tasting side that works with a whole variety of mains: from stir-fries and grilled meats; to stews and curries.
It's perfect when you want an alternative to plain steamed rice and only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook.
Why You Should Make This Easy Coconut Rice with Lime:
- The flavors in this coconut lime rice recipe elevate this simple side dish to a great tasting bowl of rice, with very little extra work.
- Follow the steps in my failsafe rice recipe and you will be producing fluffy, flavor packed rice time after time.
- This coconut lime jasmine rice recipe is gluten free and dairy free, therefore suitable for Coeliacs or anyone following a vegan diet.
- This Asian rice dish is a great accompaniment to many main dishes, try it with my Indian Chicken Curry for a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy.
How to Make Coconut Rice with Lime?
Find the full printable recipe below.
Rinse the rice thoroughly in a strainer under running cold water to remove the starch.
Add the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water and salt to a lidded pan or the rice cooker.
Bring the pan to the boil with the lid off, stir and reduce the heat to low. Simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes.
Or set the rice cooker per the manufacturer's instructions.
Once cooked, stir and cover again, then let the rice stand for 10 minutes to finish steaming. This step may be included in your rice cooker program. This helps the grains absorb all the moisture and makes the rice fluffy rather than mushy.
Finally fluff the rice with a fork, add the lime juice and season to taste. Fluff again and serve.
Why Rinse Rice Before Cooking?
Rice is a very starchy grain. If you cook rice without first rinsing it can become mushy and sticky.
To ensure fluffy rice, place the rice into a wire sieve and run the sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear. Once clear, you know that most of the starch has been washed off.
How to Stop Rice Going Mushy?
We've all made mistakes when cooking rice, expecting lovely fluffy rice and ending up with mushy, gloopy rice instead.
The trick to cooking fluffy rice is to ensure that it is well rinsed before you start cooking. Rinse the rice under cold running water to remove the starch until the water start to run clear.
The other hack for perfect rice every time is once it's cooked, turn off the heat, leave the lid on and allow it to steam for a further 10 minutes. This means any excess water will be absorbed and the rice will fluff up nicely.
Finally, just before serving, use a fork to stir through the rice to separate the grains.
How Much Cooked Rice Does 1 Cup Dry Rice Make?
One cup of dry rice will make around three cups of cooked rice.
How much Rice should I plan on serving per person?
Plan on half a cup of cooked rice per person if you are serving rice as a side. Or one cup of cooked rice per person as a main dish.
Why Do you need more water to cook rice on the stove compared to a rice cooker?
Rice cookers require less liquid to cook the rice, in this case water and coconut milk. This is because rice cookers are sealed so there is less evaporation of liquid during the cooking process.
Variations of Coconut Lime Jasmine Rice:
- Jasmine rice is a wonderful, fragrant rice and ideal in this Asian rice dish. However, you can substitute for basmati rice instead.
- Coconut milk not only adds flavor to this rice dish, but also a lovely creamy coating to the rice. You can also use light coconut milk if you prefer.
- Lime juice adds a fresh burst of fresh flavor to the rice to balance out the sweetness from the coconut milk. You can add lemon juice if you don't have lime.
- A sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro on top of the rice just before serving adds a pop of freshness to the dish.
Tips For Making Coconut Rice with Lime:
- Take time to properly rinse the rice before you start cooking as this will make all the difference to the texture of the grains.
- This easy coconut rice dish really is best served freshly made when the rice will be at its most fluffy.
- If you do decide to cook this rice dish in advance and reheat it later, I recommend adding the fresh lime juice to the rice just before serving.
How To Serve Coconut Rice?
This versatile side dish can be paired with a whole array of mains, from curries to stews to chilis and simple rice bowls.
The slightly sweet coconut and sour fragrant lime are perfect when served alongside spicy food.
Try it with my Chickpea & Spinach Curry or my Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs.
Can you Reheat Rice?
You can reheat rice after cooking but only once.
When the rice has cooked, cool it down completely as quickly as possible, cover and place in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cooked rice should not be left at room temperature for any length of time.
You can reheat rice in the microwave. Cover and cook on full power until piping hot.
Alternatively reheat on the stove. Add it to a pan with a splash or water and cook on a low heat, stirring gently, until heated through.
Can you Freeze cooked Rice?
Cooked rice freezes really well and is great to have on standby. It keeps in the freezer for up to a month.
Once cooked, cool the rice down quickly be spreading it out onto a baking sheet. Once the rice is cold, portion it into airtight containers and freeze.
When ready to cook the rice, remove it from the freezer and whilst still frozen put it into a bowl and cover.
Put the bowl into the microwave and cook on high for 2-3 minutes depending on the wattage of your microwave. The rice is ready when it is completely defrosted and piping hot. Serve immediately.
Pin This Easy Coconut Lime Rice Recipe For Later:
What Do You Think?!
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.
Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!
More Easy Family Dinner Ideas
Printable Recipe
Coconut Rice with Lime
Ingredients
Stovetop Method
- 2 cups Jasmine Rice
- 14 oz Coconut Milk
- 1½ cups Water
- ½ tsp Sea Salt
- 1 Lime - juiced
Rice Cooker Method
- 2 cups Jasmine Rice
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- 1 cup Water
- ½ tsp Sea Salt
- 1 Lime - juiced
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Wash the rice well in a strainer under cold running water, until it runs clear.
- Place the rice in a heavy bottomed pot which has a lid.
- Add the coconut milk, water and sea salt. Stir well.
- Bring the pan to a boil, give it a quick stir then add the lid to the pan.
- Turn the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, stir and then cover again and let the rice stand for 10 minutes. This helps the absorb all the moisture and makes the rice fluffy rather than mushy.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, add the lime juice and season to taste. Fluff again and serve.
Rice Cooker Method
- Wash the rice well in a strainer under cold running water, until it runs clear.
- Place the rice in the rice cooker along with the coconut milk, water and sea salt. Stir well.
- Turn on the rice cooker and select the correct cooking program for your rice cooker. The rice cooker will turn off automatically when done (check the manual for estimated cooking times.)
- Once the rice is cooked let it rest with the lid on for another 10 minutes. This helps the absorb all the moisture and makes the rice fluffy rather than mushy.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, add the lime juice and season to taste. Fluff again and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was shared with the #cookblogshare community, which this week was hosted by Kate at Gluten Free Alchemist
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
I absolutely adore coconut rice. I love your addition of lime too... So fresh with a little citrus kick. Perfect! x
Thanks for sharing with #CookBlogShare
Rebecca - Glutarama says
I've never made coconut rice before, always presumed it would be hard work but this simple recipe has inspired me, my daughter loves rice and could eat it plain out of the bowl so I'm going to surprise her with something different for once.
Jo Keohane says
Thanks so much Rebecca - that sounds great, I hope your daughter loves it!
Catherine says
First time making coconut rice, I loved your simple yet delicious recipe. Paired it with grilled teriyaki chicken and grilled mango, topped with fresh green onion and cilantro. So good - saving this coconut rice recipe for many future uses!
Jo Keohane says
Thanks so much Catherine - this is one of our favorites too!