Description

Avocado Cilantro Lime Rice is a creamy, zesty, and vibrant side dish made with fluffy long grain white rice blended with ripe avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. This Mexican-inspired recipe offers a healthy and flavorful alternative to plain rice, perfect for pairing with grilled meats, tacos, or vegetables. It’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and provides a refreshing twist with a smooth avocado sauce that adds richness without the heaviness.

Ingredients

Rice

1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups water or vegetable broth

Avocado Lime Sauce

1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes to steam and finish cooking.
Prepare Avocado Sauce: While the rice cooks, combine the peeled and pitted avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding 1–2 tablespoons of water if needed to reach a thinner consistency for easy mixing.
Combine Rice and Sauce: Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork to separate the grains. Fold in the creamy avocado mixture carefully until the rice is evenly coated and well combined without mashing the rice.
Serve: Serve the avocado cilantro lime rice warm as a flavorful side dish with grilled meats, tacos, or a variety of vegetables for a fresh, vibrant meal accompaniment.

Notes

Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice for a healthier variation.
Add chopped green onions or a pinch of cumin to the avocado sauce for extra flavor complexity.
Best served fresh but can be gently reheated with a splash of water to restore creaminess.