This recipe for authentic Mexican rice is easy to follow and yields delicious results, perfect as a side dish for your favorite Mexican meals. Learning to make this dish from locals in Puebla, Mexico guarantees its authenticity.
A bowl of authentic Mexican rice with carrots and peas.
This Mexican rice recipe was learned firsthand in Puebla, Mexico. The experience of living there and learning from a local chef provided valuable insights into authentic Mexican cooking, including not just this rice dish, but also mole poblano, various salsas, and pozole.
Ingredients for Mexican Rice
- Long Grain White Rice: Rinsing the rice thoroughly is key to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy rice. Brown rice can be substituted; increase the liquid by half a cup and cook for 40 minutes.
- Oil: Use canola or vegetable oil for toasting the rice.
- Onion: Finely chop a small portion of onion.
- Garlic: Mince one or two small garlic cloves.
- Tomato Sauce: While tomato sauce offers convenience, using fresh tomatoes blended with onion and garlic enhances authenticity.
- Tomato Bouillon: This ingredient, available in granules or cubes, provides color and a rich flavor. Chicken bouillon can be used as a substitute.
- Water: Chicken broth can replace water if tomato bouillon is omitted.
- Salt: To taste.
- Peas and Carrots: These are optional additions.
- Serrano Peppers: Place 1-2 peppers on top of the rice while cooking for added flavor; this won’t make the dish spicy.
Ingredients for making Mexican rice are laid out on a table.
How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
1. Rinse and Toast the Rice: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, heat the oil and toast the rice until golden brown.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add the tomato sauce (or blended tomatoes), garlic, and onion to the pan. Stir in tomato bouillon (or chicken broth), salt, carrots, peas, and water.
3. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Four photos showing the process of making Mexican rice, with instructions on each photo.
Tips for Perfect Mexican Rice
- Rinse the rice well: This removes surface starch, preventing clumping.
- Toast the rice thoroughly: Toasting enhances the flavor of the rice.
- Use tomato bouillon for color and flavor: This ingredient gives the rice its characteristic orange hue and savory taste. If unavailable, substitute with chicken broth.
- Rest and fluff: Allow the rice to rest before fluffing gently with a fork for a fluffy texture. Don’t stir.
- Instant Pot adaptation: This recipe can be adapted for Instant Pot cooking.
A large bowl of Mexican rice with peas and carrots, served with a spoon.
This authentic Mexican rice recipe is a versatile side dish that complements various Mexican main courses. Enjoy!
