Easy Pineapple Lime Rice Recipe (with cilantro)

Serving bowl of flavored rice with juicy pineapple tidbits.

5 from 4 votes

Easy Pineapple Lime Rice Recipe (with cilantro)

This Pineapple Lime Rice Recipe is a flavor bomb of sweet pineapple, zesty lime juice, and fresh cilantro! You can whip it up in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop—either way, it's a total crowd-pleaser. Perfect for your next Hawaiian, tropical, or Latin-inspired feast!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Latin, Tropical

Servings:

Calories: 251kcal

Author: Misty

Ingredients

4 tablespoon butter
½ medium onion diced
½ tablespoon garlic minced
2 cups long-grain white rice
1 cup pineapple juice
1 ½ - 2 cups water depending on cooking method
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup pineapple diced ¼ inch pieces (canned or fresh)
Lime zest from 1-2 limes
Lime juice from 1-2 limes
½ cup cilantro chopped

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions

Select "saute" option. Once pot is very hot, melt butter and saute onions and garlic for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
4 tablespoon butter, ½ medium onion, ½ tablespoon garlic
Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to coat every grain with butter.
2 cups long-grain white rice
Add pineapple juice, 1 ½ cups water, salt, pineapple, and lime zest. Seal the Instant Pot and turn the venting knob to "sealing." Press "rice" and allow to cook.
1 cup pineapple juice, 1 ½ - 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup pineapple, Lime zest
Once finished, allow to naturally release for 10 minutes (do NOT release the steam yet). After 10 minutes, turn the knob to "venting" to release the steam. Open the lid, then add cilantro and lime juice. Fluff with a fork until it is evenly mixed.
Lime juice, ½ cup cilantro

Stovetop Instructions

Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, melt butter and saute onions and garlic for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
4 tablespoon butter, ½ medium onion, ½ tablespoon garlic
Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to coat every grain with butter.
2 cups long-grain white rice
While rice is toasting, heat pineapple juice and 2 cups of water in microwave for 2-4 minutes or until very hot.
1 cup pineapple juice, 1 ½ - 2 cups water
Add hot liquids, salt, pineapple, and lime zest to pan. Cover immediately and cook on low heat for 20 minutes (should simmer softly).
1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup pineapple, Lime zest
Once finished, remove lid and add lime juice and cilantro. Fluff with a fork until evenly mixed.
Lime juice, ½ cup cilantro

Notes

Tips & Tricks

Zest the limes before juicing them.. because zesting a squeezed lime is crazy talk!
Allow the raw rice to toast in the butter for a few minutes before adding the liquids. This helps keep the granules separated - no sticky, clumpy rice here!
When fluffing the rice, use a fork instead of a spoon. Spoons tend to smash the rice, but a fork will keep it fluffy.
If you don't have a citrus juicer, use a pair of tongs. Less strain on your hands, no sticky fingers, and no wasted juice.

Using Canned Pineapple

If you do not have fresh pineapple, you can use canned pineapple (crushed, tidbits, or chunks cut into quarters). Drain the juice first and use it for the pineapple juice called for in the recipe.

How to Freeze and Reheat Rice

Make rice according to directions. Fluff onto a baking sheet and allow to cool fully. Freeze in storage container or disposable pan. Reheat covered at 300°F for 30 minutes straight from frozen or 20 minutes if partially thawed. Fluff again and add fresh cilantro and lime for flavor.

Nutrition