Easy Mexican Rice Recipe: Authentic Flavor in Minutes

Craving a taste of Mexico without the fuss? Look no further! This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe delivers fluffy, flavorful rice that’s perfect as a side dish or the foundation of your favorite Mexican meals. Forget those bland, boxed mixes – with just a few simple steps and pantry staples, you can create restaurant-quality Mexican rice right in your own kitchen.

Mexican rice, also known as arroz rojo, is a staple in Mexican cuisine, and for good reason. Its vibrant color and savory flavor perfectly complement tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and grilled meats. While some recipes can be complicated and time-consuming, this version is designed for busy weeknights, ensuring you can enjoy authentic Mexican flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe is so straightforward, it will quickly become a regular part of your meal rotation, especially for Taco Tuesdays and beyond!

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow. We’ll guide you through each step, from sautéing the rice to achieving that perfect fluffy texture. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this delicious and easy Mexican rice recipe!

Simple Ingredients for Delicious Mexican Rice

The beauty of this easy Mexican rice recipe lies in its simplicity. You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry! Here’s what you’ll need:

Long-grain white rice: Jasmine rice offers a wonderful fluffy texture, but standard long-grain white rice works just as well and is readily available.
Chicken broth or stock: For a richer, more flavorful rice, chicken broth is highly recommended. Water can be used in a pinch, but the broth truly elevates the taste.
Tomato sauce: A standard 8 oz can of tomato sauce provides the signature color and a touch of tangy sweetness to the rice.
Chili powder: This is key for that authentic Mexican flavor profile and contributes to the beautiful orange hue of the rice. Don’t worry, it’s not spicy!
Ground cumin: Cumin is the secret ingredient that distinguishes Mexican rice from Spanish rice, adding warmth and earthy notes.
Garlic salt: Garlic salt enhances the overall savory flavor and simplifies seasoning.
Vegetable or canola oil: Used for toasting the rice at the beginning, this crucial step adds depth of flavor and prevents mushiness.

Bowl of easy Mexican rice

Alt text: Close-up of a bowl of fluffy and vibrant easy Mexican rice, showcasing its texture and color.

Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other vegetables like peas, diced tomatoes, or green chilies. For an extra layer of flavor, some people enjoy using salsa instead of tomato sauce. A squeeze of lime juice at the end can also add a bright, zesty finish, though serving lime wedges on the side allows everyone to customize their own serving.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Mexican Rice

Making this easy Mexican rice recipe is a breeze! Follow these simple steps for foolproof results every time:

Toast the Rice: In a large pot or saucepan, heat the vegetable or canola oil over medium heat. Add the long-grain white rice and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice grains turn translucent (slightly see-through). This toasting process is essential for achieving fluffy rice as it helps to prevent stickiness.

Pouring broth into pot with rice

Alt text: Image showing chicken broth being poured into a pot of toasted rice, illustrating the first step in making easy Mexican rice.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic salt into the pot with the toasted rice. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
Bring to a Boil and Simmer: Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let it simmer for 25 minutes. It’s crucial to keep the lid on throughout the simmering process to trap the steam and cook the rice evenly.

Alt text: Photo of easy Mexican rice simmering gently in a pot with steam escaping, demonstrating the cooking process.
Rest and Fluff: After 25 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for another 2-3 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to fully absorb any remaining liquid and become perfectly fluffy. Finally, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

That’s it! In just about 30 minutes, you’ll have a pot of flavorful, fluffy easy Mexican rice ready to complement your favorite Mexican dishes.

Tips for the Fluffiest Mexican Rice

To guarantee success with this easy Mexican rice recipe, keep these helpful tips in mind:

Choose Quality Rice: While you don’t need the most expensive brand, opt for a mid-range long-grain white rice for best results. Avoid the cheapest brands as they can sometimes be lower quality and may not cook as well.
Don’t Skip Toasting: Toasting the rice in oil before adding the liquids is a vital step. It enhances the flavor and helps create that desirable fluffy texture, preventing mushiness.
Resist Peeking: It’s tempting to lift the lid while the rice is simmering, but avoid doing so! Releasing the steam can disrupt the cooking process and may require you to add more cooking time. Trust the 25-minute simmer time, and your rice should be perfectly cooked.
Rest Before Fluffing: The resting period after simmering is just as important as the cooking time. It allows the steam to redistribute and finish cooking the rice, resulting in optimal fluffiness.

Serve This Easy Mexican Rice With…

This easy Mexican rice recipe is incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with a wide array of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Tacos: No Taco Tuesday is complete without a side of Mexican rice! It complements any type of taco filling, from carne asada to vegetarian options.
Enchiladas: Serve alongside cheese, chicken, or beef enchiladas for a complete and satisfying Mexican feast.
Burrito Bowls: Use this Mexican rice as the base for burrito bowls, topped with your favorite proteins, beans, salsa, guacamole, and other toppings.
Fajitas: A flavorful side to chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas, adding a comforting element to the meal.
Grilled Meats: Pair with grilled chicken, steak, or fish for a simple yet delicious and balanced dinner.

Enjoy experimenting and discovering your favorite ways to serve this easy Mexican rice recipe!

Recipe Card: Easy Mexican Rice

Print Recipe 4.53 from 859 votes

Easy Mexican Rice

This easy Mexican rice recipe is incredibly simple and yields flavorful, fluffy rice perfect for any Mexican meal!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Spanish
Keyword: Easy Mexican Rice, mexican rice recipe

Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 185 kcal
Author: Nikki Gladd

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 in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear (optional).
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a rapid boil.
Stir once, cover, reduce heat to low simmer, and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, let stand covered for 2-3 minutes before fluffing.

Video: Link to Video (from original article, if applicable)

Recipe Tips:

Rinsing rice removes starch for fluffier results.
Measure all ingredients beforehand for efficiency.
Use a mid-range quality long-grain rice.
Toast rice until translucent for best texture.
Let rice rest covered after cooking for optimal fluffiness.
To increase servings, use 1 ½ cups rice and 2 ½ cups broth, keeping other ingredient amounts and cook time the same.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Enjoy your delicious and easy Mexican rice! Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media @seededtable or use #SeededAtTheTable!

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