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Home » Sides » Coconut Cilantro Rice

Coconut Cilantro Rice

Apr 20, 2024 · by Valentina · 19 Comments

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Coconut Cilantro Rice is almost too good to be true! Cooked in coconut water, the rice is subtly sweet with the fresh flavor of cilantro throughout. And the pairing possibilities are endless, as it's delicious with just about everything.

Coconut Cilantro Rice in a dark brown ceramic bowl with two more beneath it.

Cooking rice in coconut water is magical, and it's the "secret" key to this amazing recipe.

I love experimenting with different cooking liquids when making rice. The technique typically stays just as it would if you were using water, and it's such a fantastic way to change the flavor completely.

I've cooked rice in everything from orange juice and pineapple juice to shrimp stock and milk. (Check out this Arroz Con Leche with Anise.) Rice cooked in coconut water is definitely one of the tastiest combinations.

Coconut Cilantro Rice is easy and SO delicious. Often when I serve it, it's everyone's favorite dish of a meal. I think you'll be making it all the time!

Jump to:
  • The Ingredients
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Recipe Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Making it Ahead
  • Other Amazing Rice Recipes
  • How to Make it
  • Coconut Cilantro Rice Recipe

The Ingredients

Half of a brown onion, skin side up, with raw white rice, fresh cilantro and a wooden teaspoon with ground cumin.
  • coconut oil - This just keeps it coconut-y, but you can use any neutral oil or olive oil, too.
  • onion - The onions are super finely chopped and add beautifully to the texture of the rice. Try to choose onions that are firm, heavy for their size and without bruises.
  • ground cumin - For a subtle earthy flavor that compliments the cilantro.
  • Kosher salt - If you use table salt, use half the amount.
  • long grain rice - Examples of long grain rices are Basmati and Jasmine.
  • coconut water - I use Vita Coco, though there are many brands and you'll see them in most major grocery stores, and Trader Joe's almost always has it in stock. Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young coconuts, not the liquid made from the flesh -- that's coconut milk.
  • fresh cilantro - Always try to choose bunches of fresh herbs that are perky and a deep green color.

(See recipe card below for quantities.)

Substitutions and Variations

  • If you're someone who doesn't like cilantro, and I know you're out there, my second choice is fresh basil.
  • Make it a meal. You can add in all sorts of things to turn coconut cilantro rice into a meal. Shrimp, chicken, tofu, edamame, carrots, pineapple chunks, peppers, or any combination thereof, would all be delicious.

Recipe Tips

  • The overall texture of the rice is best when the onions are chopped super finely and only cooked until they're just becoming soft. (This is a great guide to various knife cuts so you can see exactly what a "fine chop" should look like.)
  • Cilantro stems are fairly soft, so it's okay if some of them are finely chopped with the leaves. That said, leaves from thicker stems should be removed.
  • The cilantro should be washed and very finely chopped before it's measured. When measuring, the ¼ cup measure should be packed.
  • When you lift the lid after the rice has cooked, all the onions will likely be on top. This is normal -- when you add the cilantro, everything will mix together nicely.

Serving Suggestions

  • You can seriously serve this with just about anything. I love it with fish and shellfish and chicken. Coconut Mango Baked Chicken is my absolute favorite thing to serve it with. It's like they were made for each other! 😉
  • Spicy Cilantro Shrimp, Rockfish Fillets with Lemon, and Cilantro Chimichurri Salmon are also all fantastic choices to serve with it.

Making it Ahead

  • Though I think it's at its best the day it's made, you can make Coconut Cilantro Rice up to two days ahead. Be sure it's stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat it in the microwave, the oven, or in a sauté pan.

Other Amazing Rice Recipes

  • Miso Fried Rice
  • Cranberry Wild Rice
  • Poblano Rice Pilaf
  • Kimchi Fried Rice with Bacon
  • Basmati Rice with Saffron and Dill

How to Make it

- Coat the bottom of a small medium-sized sauce pot with the coconut oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they're translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.



- Add rice and cumin to the onions. Stir to be sure all the grains are well-coated with the oil, and then sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring almost constantly.



- Add the coconut water and salt, and bring to a boil.

Cooked finely chopped onions in the bottom of a pot.
Rice mixed with chopped onion and oil in a pot with a wooden spatula.
Chopped onion and rice mixed with water in a red pot with a wooden spatula.

- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and cook until all of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.



- Stir in the cilantro, a few turns of freshly ground black pepper, and serve!



Cooked white rice and chopped onions in a red sauce pan.
¼ cup measure packed with finely chopped fresh cilantro.
Cooked coconut cilantro rice in a red sauce pan.

You might want to make a double batch. Just sayin.'

Close up of Coconut Cilantro Rice in a dark brown ceramic bowl with two more beneath it.

Enjoy every last grain!

Close up of Coconut Cilantro Rice in a dark brown ceramic bowl with two more beneath it.

Coconut Cilantro Rice Recipe

Valentina K. Wein
Coconut Cilantro Rice is almost too good to be true! Cooked in coconut water, the rice is subtly sweet with the fresh flavor of cilantro throughout. And the pairing possibilities are endless, as it would be delicious with just about everything!
5 from 7 votes
Print
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 230 kcal

Equipment

  • sauce pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ½ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup long grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 cups coconut water
  • ¼ cup cilantro, washed and dried, finely chopped
  • a couple of turns of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the onions. Coat the bottom of a small medium-sized sauce pot with the coconut oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they're translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the rice and cumin. Add rice and cumin to the onions. Stir to be sure all the grains are well-coated with the coconut oil, and then sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring almost constantly.
  • Add coconut water and cook. Add the coconut water and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and cook until all of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Add cilantro and season. Stir in the cilantro, a few turns of freshly ground black pepper, and serve!

NOTES

Nutritional information is only an estimate.

NUTRITION

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 421mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords rice for chicken, great side dishes for meats and stews
Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David

    October 18, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Coconut and rice are a perfect combination! We often make it with kaffir lime leaves, but I love the idea of cilantro! Thanks! Can't wait for the chicken recipe.

    Reply
    • valentina

      October 18, 2015 at 10:24 pm

      Thanks, David! Must be delicious with the limes -- sound like a perfect pairing. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Lucy

    March 18, 2016 at 11:41 am

    I absolutely adore cilantro. This would be so yummy with shrimp or salmon!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 18, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      Oh I would love it with shrimp! Perfect!

      Reply
  3. Dini @ The Flavor Bender

    March 18, 2016 at 11:49 am

    I love spiced rice! Any kind of rice with lots of flavor - and I definitely looove this! Cilantro is one of my favourite herbs too 🙂 Can't wait to try this next time I make rice 🙂

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 18, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks so much. Hope yo love it!

      Reply
  4. sue|theviewfromgreatisland

    March 18, 2016 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    This combination is one of my all time favorites!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 18, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Sue! Mine too. 🙂

      Reply
  5. jacqueline | i sugar coat it!

    March 18, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I grew up with rice being cooked in coconut milk and it has stuck with me. I love spiced, flavoured rice and cilantro is definitely a fave!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 20, 2016 at 12:03 am

      Thanks so much, Jacqueline. I've always loved cooking rice in coconut milk and/or water. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    March 18, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    The African rice lover in me is doing a little dance about finding your recipe.

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 20, 2016 at 12:03 am

      Oh, I love that. Let's dance! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Eha

    March 19, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    5 stars
    Living semi-rurally with a climate just a tad too cool to allow coconuts I have to buy coconut water in tins - darn it !! Bit have not cooked my rice 'this way' for quite a while, guess what has just been added to the on-line shopping list' ! Am truly looking forwards to being in the tropics again . . . !!!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 21, 2022 at 9:34 am

      Being in the tropics sounds lovely about now. 🙂 Nothing like a fresh coconut, right!? Thanks, Eha. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  8. Coby

    April 24, 2024 at 7:49 pm

    5 stars
    Love love love making rice with different liquid! Adds more nutrition and flavor. My
    Go to coconut rice is sweet with full fat coconut milk & shaved coconut… so great to try this more savory version! Thank you🍚🌱

    Reply
  9. Dawn

    April 26, 2024 at 6:20 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious flavour combo, Valentina! I could think of so many things that this rice would pair with. Next time I whip up a batch of rice, I'll have to give this recipe a try. So fluffy, versatile and yummy!

    Reply
    • Valentina

      May 28, 2024 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks, Dawn. Hope you love it! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  10. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

    May 23, 2024 at 6:03 am

    This is very interesting. I love to make cilantro rice, but I never thought to use onion, cumin, or coconut water. That all sounds amazing.

    Reply
    • Valentina

      May 28, 2024 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks! I hope you try it, Jeff! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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Close up of Coconut Cilantro Rice in a dark brown ceramic bowl with two more beneath it.