This bright cilantro lime quinoa is a delicious, healthy Mexican-inspired side dish that comes together quickly and is great for weeknight dinner or meal prep! (gluten-free, vegan, nut-free)
If you’re looking to step up your weeknight side dish game, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you today – cilantro lime quinoa!
Instead of plain quinoa or rice with your meals, you can crank up the flavor and nutrition (compared to white rice) with almost no extra time with a little help from just a few punchy ingredients – cilantro, lime and garlic!
For even more flavor, cook your quinoa in chicken broth (or vegetable for a vegan option) instead of water. It’s an easy way to make your side dishes less bland and boring.
Cilantro lime rice is often served with Mexican dishes, which is delicious, but it’s either made with white rice, or if you want a whole grain option, you can use brown rice, but it takes significantly longer to cook. My solution is to use quinoa, which is whole grain and full of fiber, but cooks just as quickly as white rice!
This side dish is a great option for those with allergies or dietary restrictions – it’s vegan and gluten-free, as well as nut-free and dairy-free, so it’s suitable for all kinds of dietary patterns.
Serve this delicious cilantro lime quinoa with just about any Mexican-inspired dish, like enchiladas, margarita chicken, or chipotle flank steak. Or use it as a base for taco bowls with crock pot carnitas, instant pot barbacoa, or taco meat!
PrintCilantro Lime Quinoa
This bright cilantro lime quinoa is a delicious, healthy Mexican-inspired side dish that comes together quickly and is great for weeknight dinner or meal prep! (gluten-free, vegan, nut-free)
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: side dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp lime zest
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat oil on low heat. Add garlic and sauté until soft, about 30 seconds. Add quinoa and stir, cooking, until toasted, about 1 minute.
- Add broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 15 minutes.
- While quinoa is cooking, zest and juice lime and chop cilantro.
- Once quinoa is cooked, fluff with a fork, then add lime zest, juice, cilantro and salt to taste. Gently stir to combine. Serve warm.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
Keywords: quinoa, cilantro, lime
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