Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

This easy Mexican rice is a flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with Mexican and Tex-Mex meals. It requires just a handful of simple ingredients and makes a great addition to tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, and other weeknight dinners.

🥰 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy side dish made with simple pantry ingredients
• Perfect for Taco Tuesday or any Mexican-inspired dinner
• Toasted rice gives it a restaurant-style flavor and texture
• Pairs well with tacos, enchiladas, beans, and burrito bowls

Ingredients & Substitutions

Long Grain White Rice: Long-grain white rice works best because the grains stay light and separate after cooking.

Oil: Olive oil or a neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil can be used. Butter is another option if you prefer a richer flavor.

Tomato Paste: Adds the signature red color and rich tomato flavor to the rice.

Broth: Use chicken broth or vegetable broth. Chicken broth adds extra savory flavor, but either option works well.

Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, and salt provide the simple seasoning base for the rice.

Peas: Frozen peas work especially well because they maintain a better texture and flavor than canned peas.

How to Make Mexican Rice

Step 1: Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Set the rice aside.

Step 2: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the grains become lightly golden.

Step 3: Stir in the broth, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Cover the saucepan and let the rice simmer for about 15–20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 4: Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid and let it cook uncovered for another 3–4 minutes. Stir in the peas and finish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Why Do I Toast the Rice?

Toasting the rice in oil before adding the liquid gives the grains a slightly nutty flavor and helps create a firmer texture. It also allows the rice to absorb the tomato and seasoning flavors more effectively while reducing the chance of ending up with mushy rice.

Tips for the Best Rice

• Always rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess surface starch, which can make the finished rice sticky or mushy.
• Avoid constantly stirring the rice while it cooks.
• Let the finished rice cook uncovered for a few extra minutes to help achieve a texture closer to restaurant-style Mexican rice.
• Allow the rice to rest briefly before serving so the grains can finish absorbing moisture.

Main Dishes to Serve With Mexican Rice

• Crispy Refried Bean Tacos: A simple meal that uses just a few ingredients and pairs naturally with Mexican rice.
• Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas: Tender shredded beef wrapped in tortillas and covered with enchilada sauce and melted cheese.
• Chicken Enchiladas: Corn tortillas filled with flavorful chicken and topped with enchilada sauce and cheese.
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos: An easy slow-cooker option that works especially well for a casual dinner.
• Burrito Bowls: Use this Mexican rice as the flavorful base for homemade burrito bowls.

Recipe Questions

What’s the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?

Mexican rice, also called arroz rojo, is traditionally prepared with ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. Spanish rice is a term commonly used in the United States and may refer to rice prepared with ingredients such as tomatoes, saffron, and bell peppers. Although the names are sometimes used interchangeably, the dishes can have different ingredients and flavor profiles.