• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Heather Likes Food logo

  • Recipe Index
  • About Heather
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
You Are Here: Home / Side Dish Recipes / Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Published: Oct 11, 2019 · Modified: Oct 28, 2019 by Heather Cheney · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
An Easy Mexican Rice Recipe in a pan with wooden spoon

This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe is super simple to make and takes only a few ingredients. It’s the perfect, easy side to serve with so many different Mexican entrees’.

Mexican Spanish Rice in pan with wooden spoon

Hey everyone! Today I’m sharing this post I wrote for The Salty Marshmallow a few weeks ago on Spanish Rice. It’s seriously simple and I love making it.

MY LATEST VIDEOS

I love rice in all its many forms, but Mexican Rice might take the cake for being my favorite. This recipe will give you results just like you find at your favorite Mexican restaurant and gets made at my house frequently!

Why This Recipe Works

This Mexican Rice is super easy to make (most rice is!), but the key to flavorful rice like this recipe provides is to toast the rice prior to cooking. This does two things– it gives the rice a slightly nutty flavor, and dries out the grain of rice to reduce cooking time and make a fluffier end product.

How to Make Easy Mexican Rice

How to Make Spanish White Rice Step-by-step collage

This recipe makes about eight servings of rice, and it’s best to cook it in a non-stick, high-sided skillet, like the one pictured above.

  1. Heat a few tablespoons of neutral oil like canola or vegetable in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2.  When hot, add the rice to the pan and stir.
  3. Continue stirring until all the grains turn opaque and then golden brown.
  4. Heat water until boiling in the microwave and whisk tomato paste and chicken broth base.
  5. Pour hot water mixture into the browned rice and stir in salt, cumin and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.
  6. Cover pan, reduce heat to low and cook for 25-3o minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.

What Is The Difference Between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?

Spanish and Mexican rice are pretty similar– they both use toasted rice with a tomato-based cooking liquid. The difference between the two is that traditionally, the Spanish version was seasoned with saffron threads, while the Mexican version was flavored with cumin.

However, today the two names are pretty much used interchangeably.

Spanish Mexican Rice cooked in pan

What Goes Well With Mexican Rice?

This rice is a great side dish because it is mildly spiced and goes with just about anything with Mexican-inspired flavors.This Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas Skillet, or Tacos or Burritos made with my Taco Meat are both great choices!

Spanish White Rice on a White plate

What Kind of Rice is Best for Mexican Rice?

I like to use long-grain white rice. It has a lower starch content than other, shorter-grained rice, and turns out nice and fluffy every time! Especially when you toast it first!

If you make this Easy Mexican Rice Recipe I’d love to hear it! Let me know in the comments below or tag me on Instagram! @heatherlikesfood

Spanish White Rice on a White plate

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Simple and easy, this rice will be the perfect pair for any Mexican entree!
By Heather Cheney
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 206kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 1/4 cups water boiling
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons chicken broth base or 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • When the oil is hot, add the rice to the pan and stir. Continue stirring until all the grains turn opaque and then golden brown.
  • Heat water until boiling in the microwave and whisk in tomato paste and chicken broth base.
  • Pour hot water mixture into the browned rice and stir in salt, cumin and garlic powder.
  • Bring the pan to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
  • Top with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 206kcal

Nutrition and Food Safety Disclosure

Are We Friends On Pinterest?Follow Me For More Great Recipes @hlikesfood

Other Mexican Inspired Recipes You Might Like

  • Chile Colorado
  • Oven Pork Carnitas
  • Chipotle Guacamole
  • Baked Tacos
  • One Pan Black Bean Burrito
  • Pozole Verde

Other Popular Recipes People Really Like

  • Chicken Keto Soup
  • Ranchers Roast Beef
  • Ricotta Chicken
  • Ranch Chicken Marinade
  • Instant Pot St. Louis Ribs

 

 

 

Most Recent Recipes

Beef Teriyaki Stir Fry

How Long To Cook A Turkey

Southwest potato corn chowder in brown mug

Southwestern Potato Corn Chowder

Mexican Spanish Rice in pan with wooden spoon

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Easy Au Gratin Potatoes with Fennel and California Ripe Olives

Sweet Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Reader Interactions

Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Heather! 

I'm a former chef and caterer sharing flavor-packed recipes that actually work! I use the techniques and tips I learned in culinary school to create my recipes and guarantee massive amounts of flavor! Let's eat!  

Favorite Fall Recipes

Creamy Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup is a comforting soup that takes just a few minutes prep time, 7 ingredients, and basically makes itself.

Creamy Slow-Cooker Tortellini Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Fiesta Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot chicken Queso soup

Zesty Queso Keto Chicken Soup

Instant Pot Broccoli and Four Cheese Soup

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Baking Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Breakfast Recipes
  • Appetizer Recipes

Copyright © 2019 ·Heather Likes Food, LLC

×
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • About Heather
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

Modern Mobile Menu Social icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube