Searching for the proper aspect dish to spherical out your Mexican-inspired meal? This straightforward and flavorful Mexican Rice Recipe is simply what you want. Made with easy pantry staples like long-grain rice, taco sauce, garlic, onions, and a contact of spice, it comes collectively shortly and delivers that genuine restaurant-style style proper at dwelling.
Mexican Rice vs. Spanish Rice: What’s the Distinction?
| Function | Mexican Rice | Spanish Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Widespread in Mexican and Tex-Mex delicacies | Historically from Spain, however usually Americanized |
| Colour | Reddish-orange (from tomato sauce or tomato bouillon) | Extra golden/yellow (from saffron or turmeric) |
| Taste Base | Tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin | Saffron, garlic, onion |
| Texture | Delicate and fluffy | Barely firmer and generally drier |
| Seasonings | Cumin, chili powder, tomato | Saffron or turmeric, usually no tomato |
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Rice Recipe:
- Fast and simple to make in a single pot.
- Makes use of primary substances you in all probability have already got available.
- Child-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
- Nice for meal prep and leftovers.
Substances to Make Genuine Mexican Rice Recipe
Mexican Rice is straightforward dish you may simply make at dwelling. Whether or not you’re pairing it with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or grilled meats, this rice provides a heat, comforting taste that enhances nearly all the pieces. It’s mild, fluffy, and infused with simply the correct quantity of seasoning making it superb for each weeknight dinners and festive gatherings. That is one recipe you’ll wish to maintain in your common rotation, it’s basic, dependable, and at all times scrumptious. Substances you’ll have to make Simple Mexican Rice: (Scroll down for the total printable recipe card.)
- Rice – Lengthy grain white rice i.e. Ben’s Unique or comparable.
- Onion – White onion or candy onion provides dimension to the flavour.
- Oil – Olive oil supplies the fats for cooking the onion and coating the rice. You might use vegetable oil.
- Liquid – Low sodium hen broth or hen inventory provides moisture. Rooster broth provides extra taste, however you might use water alone.
- Tomato Sauce – Delicate, medium or scorching taco sauce provides the rice a tomato primarily based taste.
- Chiles – One can of diced inexperienced chiles for a gentle spicy taste. You should use delicate, medium or scorching chiles.
- Seasonings – Taco seasoning, granulated garlic or garlic powder, seasoned salt and darkish chili powder.
- Garnish – Recent cilantro provides coloration and freshness.
Tips on how to Make the BEST Mexican Rice Recipe
- Sauté Onion: In a big saucepan sauté the onion and olive oil over medium-high warmth till softened.
- Toast the Rice: Add the rice, stirring to coat with the oil. Toast the rice stirring always provides depth of taste.
- Season the Rice: To the pot add the taco seasoning, granulated garlic, seasoned salt and darkish chili powder. Stir effectively.
- Add Liquid: Add hen broth and taco sauce and diced inexperienced chiles. Combine effectively.
- Simmer on Low: Cowl and convey to a boil over medium-high warmth then instantly decrease to a simmer. Cook dinner on low warmth for 20-25 minutes or till the liquid has been absorbed.
- Let Stand: Take away the pot from the warmth and let stand for five minutes.
- Serve: Fluff with a fork then serve garnished with contemporary cilantro.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Must Make Simple Mexican Rice Recipe
- Giant saucepan or pot with a lid for cooking the rice.
- Measuring cups and spoons for measuring the seasonings, oil and liquid substances.
- Sharp knife and chopping board for dicing the onion and cilantro.
- Giant spoon and fork for fluffing the rice.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Rice: You might use basmati rice, jasmine rice or brown rice for this recipe. Every number of rice cooks in a different way, so alter the cooking time accordingly.
- Garlic: If most well-liked, you might use contemporary garlic instead of granulated garlic. Two to 3 medium cloves of garlic finely minced, will work.
- Tomato Sauce: I like utilizing taco sauce on this Mexican rice because it’s seasoned and enhances the general taste. You might use plain tomato sauce, as a substitute.
- Salsa: You might exchange the taco sauce with thick salsa or use a can or rotel tomatoes, for a chunky tomato texture.
- Greens: Some Mexican eating places we go to add peas or combined greens to the rice. You might add 1/2-1 cup of both one, to fit your style. You might additionally serve black beans or refried beans on the aspect.
- Cilantro: If in case you have an aversion to the style of cilantro, you may exchange it with parsley or inexperienced onions.
- Inexperienced Chiles: You should use delicate, medium or scorching inexperienced chiles. You might additionally sauté diced jalapeno or poblano pepper for added spice.
- Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning amps up the flavour with a mix of spices generally utilized in Mexican cooking. See my recipe for Do-it-yourself Taco Seasoning right here.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers: You possibly can retailer leftover Mexican Rice in an hermetic container chilled within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in single servings within the microwave or in a saucepan over medium warmth. While you reheat rice on the stovetop, don’t stroll away it might follow the pan. You may also wish to add a small quantity of water or hen inventory.
- Freezer: You possibly can freeze rice for as much as 1 month. Thaw within the fridge and reheat simply earlier than serving.
Extra Mexican Recipes to Make
Thanks for visiting come again quickly!
Disclosure ~ If buy is made utilizing one of many affiliate hyperlinks on this web site we could earn a small fee at no extra value to you. Thanks!
Useful Kitchen Objects:
Mexican Rice Recipe
Servings: 8 servings
Energy: 217kcal
- 1 medium white onion or candy onion finely diced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups white lengthy grain rice i.e. Ben’s Unique
- 1 32 oz low sodium hen broth (Or 4 cups water)
- 1 cup taco sauce (delicate/medium/scorching your choice)
- 1 4 oz can diced inexperienced chiles, drained (delicate/medium/scorching your choice)
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1-2 tsp darkish chili powder
- contemporary cilantro
In a big saucepan sauté the onion and olive oil over medium-high warmth for 2-3 minutes.
Add the rice, stirring to coat with the oil. Toast the rice stirring always till aromatic round 1-2 minutes.
To the pot add the taco seasoning, granulated garlic, seasoned salt and darkish chili powder. Stir effectively. hen inventory,
Add hen broth, taco sauce and diced inexperienced chiles. Combine effectively.
Cowl and convey to a boil over medium-high warmth then instantly decrease to a simmer. Cook dinner on low warmth for 20-25 minutes or till the liquid has been absorbed. Take away from the warmth and let stand for five minutes.
Fluff with a fork then serve garnished with contemporary cilantro.
- Rice: You might use basmati rice, jasmine rice or brown rice for this recipe. Every number of rice cooks in a different way so alter the cooking time accordingly.
- Garlic: If most well-liked, you might use contemporary garlic instead of granulated garlic. Two to 3 medium cloves of garlic will work.
- Tomato Sauce: I like utilizing taco sauce on this Mexican rice because it’s seasoned and enhances the general taste. You might use plain tomato sauce, as a substitute.
- Salsa: You might exchange the taco sauce with thick salsa or use a can or rotel tomatoes, for a chunky tomato texture.
- Greens: Some Mexican eating places we go to add peas or combined greens to the rice. You might add 1/2-1 cup of both one, to fit your style. You might serve black beans and refried beans on the aspect.
- Cilantro: If in case you have an aversion to the style of cilantro, you may exchange it with parsley or inexperienced onions.
- Inexperienced Chiles: You should use delicate, medium or scorching inexperienced chiles. You might additionally sauté diced jalapeno or poblano pepper for added spice.
- Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning amps up the flavour with a mix of spices generally utilized in Mexican cooking. See my recipe for Do-it-yourself Taco Seasoning right here.
Serving: 1serving | Energy: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fats: 4g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Sodium: 640mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
