If you’re craving a vibrant, flavorful side that instantly elevates any meal, you’ve just found your new go-to with this Easy Mexican Rice Recipe. It’s a beautifully simple dish that captures the essence of classic Mexican flavors with just a handful of everyday ingredients. The rice cooks up fluffy and perfectly infused with tomato sauce, chili powder, and a subtle hint of cumin, making it the ideal companion for tacos, grilled meats, or even a hearty veggie bowl. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe brings that warm, comforting taste of Mexico straight to your table without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the great thing about this Easy Mexican Rice Recipe — the ingredients are straightforward, yet each one plays a big role in crafting that authentic taste and appealing texture. From the aromatic spices to the rich tomato base and fluffy rice, every element is essential and easy to find.
- Vegetable or canola oil (2 tablespoons): Helps toast the rice for a nutty flavor and prevents sticking.
- Uncooked long-grain white rice (1 cup): The base of the dish, chosen for its light, fluffy cooking qualities.
- Chicken stock or broth (1 ½ cups): Adds depth and savory richness to the rice.
- Tomato sauce (8 oz. can): Brings that classic red hue and tangy sweetness that defines Mexican rice.
- Chili powder (1 teaspoon): Adds gentle heat and a warm, earthy spice.
- Garlic salt (1 teaspoon): Infuses savory garlicky notes with a hint of saltiness.
- Ground cumin (½ teaspoon): Offers a fragrant, slightly smoky undertone to tie the flavors together.
How to Make Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
Step 1: Rinse the Rice
Start by rinsing the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This simple step removes excess starch and is key to ensuring your rice turns out fluffy and separate rather than sticky or mushy.
Step 2: Cook the Rice with Oil
Heat the vegetable or canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring frequently, until the grains become translucent and slightly golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. This toasting process brings out a wonderful nutty flavor that forms the base of the dish.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients and Simmer
Pour in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic salt, and ground cumin. Stir everything together and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb all the vibrant flavors and cook through perfectly.
Step 4: Fluff and Rest
After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the heat but keep it covered. Let the rice rest for 2 to 3 minutes — this helps finish the cooking process gently. Finally, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and release steam, making it light and airy.
How to Serve Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Easy Mexican Rice Recipe really pop, consider topping it with fresh chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, or even some diced avocado. These garnishes add brightness, fresh flavors, and a beautiful contrast to the warm, spiced rice.
Side Dishes
This rice is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, shredded beef, or sautéed vegetables. It’s also fantastic alongside beans, fresh salads, or stuffed peppers if you want to keep the meal vegetarian.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving your Mexican rice under a crispy tortilla bowl or spoon it into vibrant fajita wraps. Using it as a base in burrito bowls along with some salsa and sour cream makes for a colorful, satisfying plate that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Easy Mexican Rice Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing to maintain texture and freshness.
Freezing
If you want to save it for longer, freeze the rice in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to two months. Portion it out so you only thaw what you need, keeping mealtime effortless.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or thawed rice on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to bring back moisture, or use the microwave covered with a damp paper towel. Fluff gently after warming to restore that perfect fluffy texture.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice for this Easy Mexican Rice Recipe?
Absolutely! Just remember brown rice takes longer to cook and requires a bit more liquid. Adjust the cooking time to about 40 to 45 minutes and increase the broth slightly for the best results.
Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe has a mild spice level due to the chili powder, but it’s easy to adjust. Add more chili powder for a kick or reduce it if you prefer a gentler flavor.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock to keep the recipe vegan and vegetarian-friendly without compromising on flavor.
What’s the best way to prevent the rice from sticking or burning?
Using enough oil to toast the rice at the start and keeping the heat low while simmering helps a lot. Also, avoid lifting the lid while the rice is cooking so that steam cooks it evenly.
Can I add vegetables or beans to this rice?
Definitely! Adding sautéed onions, bell peppers, corn, or black beans toward the end of cooking can make the dish even heartier and more colorful.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe is a true kitchen gem that brings bold, comforting flavors to your table with minimal effort. Whether you’re making a casual weeknight dinner or hosting a festive gathering, this rice is sure to win hearts. Give it a try and watch how it becomes a beloved staple in your meal rotation!
Print
Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe is a flavorful and simple side dish perfect for complementing any Mexican meal. Featuring aromatic spices, tomato sauce, and tender rice cooked to perfection in chicken broth, it’s a quick 25-minute dish that serves 8, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock or broth
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice thoroughly in a mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Cook Rice: Heat the vegetable or canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring frequently, until the grains become translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. This step toasts the rice to enhance its flavor.
- Add Ingredients: Pour in the chicken stock or broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic salt, and ground cumin. Stir to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes until the rice absorbs the liquid and is tender.
- Fluff and Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat and let it stand covered for 2-3 minutes. Then, use a fork to fluff the rice gently to separate the grains before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice is key to getting fluffy, separate grains.
- You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust chili powder to your desired level of spiciness.
- Cover the pot tightly while simmering to ensure even cooking.
