Rice. It’s, like, the ultimate blank canvas, right? You can do ANYTHING with it! I swear, I’ve made everything from creamy risotto to sweet rice pudding. But honestly? My absolute favorite? It’s gotta be a good, flavorful batch of Mexican rice. Seriously, I could eat it every single day. It just GETS me, you know?
Growing up, we had it ALL the time. My Abuela (that’s “Grandma” for those not in the know!) made the BEST Mexican food, and her rice was always the star. It wasn’t just some bland side dish – it was packed with flavor and perfectly fluffy every single time. I’ve spent years trying to recreate her magic, and honestly? I think I’ve FINALLY cracked the code with this *Mexican rice recipe*. Trust me, you’re gonna LOVE it!
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Rice Recipe
Okay, so why should you even bother making this Mexican rice recipe? Well, lemme tell ya! It’s seriously a game-changer. It’s super easy, tastes AMAZING, and goes with practically everything. What more could you want?!
Quick and Easy
Seriously, this isn’t one of those recipes that takes ALL day. You can whip up a batch of this Mexican rice in, like, half an hour. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want something yummy without the fuss!
Bursting with Flavor
Forget boring, bland rice! This Mexican rice is PACKED with flavor. The tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder… it all just comes together to create this amazing, slightly spicy, totally addictive taste. My favorite part is the hint of cumin!
Perfect Side Dish
Tacos? Check. Enchiladas? Check. Grilled chicken or fish? Double-check! This Mexican rice recipe goes with pretty much anything you can think of. It’s the ultimate side dish to complete any meal. Trust me on this one!
Ingredients for the Best Mexican Rice Recipe
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need anything fancy for this Mexican rice recipe. Just a few basics, and you’re good to go! You’ll want 1 cup of long-grain rice, 2 cups of chicken broth (more on that later!), 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, 1/4 cup of chopped onion, 1 minced clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder. Got it? Good!
How to Prepare This Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients, right? Awesome! Now, let’s get down to business. This Mexican rice recipe is super easy, I promise! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be chowing down on some seriously delicious rice in no time.
Preparing the Rice
First things first: rinse that rice! Seriously, don’t skip this step. Just pop your rice into a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. This gets rid of extra starch, which is what can make your rice all gummy. Then, grab a saucepan and heat up your oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until it’s lightly browned. Don’t burn it! We’re going for golden, not black, okay?
Cooking the Mexican Rice
Now, toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook ’em until they’re softened and fragrant – mmm, that smell! Then, stir in your tomato sauce, chicken broth (make sure it’s not cold!), cumin, salt, and chili powder. Give it all a good stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 20 minutes. Don’t peek! Let it do its thing.
Fluffing and Serving
Alright, time’s up! Take the pan off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. This lets the rice finish steaming and become perfectly fluffy. Finally, grab a fork and gently fluff the rice. And there you have it! Your amazing Mexican rice recipe is ready to serve. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Mexican Rice Recipe
Want to take your Mexican rice from “meh” to “OMG”? I’ve got you covered! First, don’t skimp on the browning of the rice. That little bit of toasting adds SO much flavor! Also, make sure your chicken broth is warm when you add it – cold broth can mess with the cooking time. Trust me, I’ve learned that one the hard way (oops!). And finally, resist the urge to stir the rice while it’s simmering. Just let it be! That’s the secret to perfectly fluffy Mexican rice every single time.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Mexican Rice Recipe
Okay, let’s chat about those ingredients! First off, the chicken broth. I swear by it for the BEST flavor, but veggie broth works just fine if you’re going meat-free. As for the tomato sauce, if you’re feeling fancy, you can totally use tomato puree or even crushed tomatoes. Just make sure to adjust the liquid accordingly. And hey, if you don’t have cumin or chili powder on hand? Don’t stress! A little bit of taco seasoning will do the trick in a pinch. Just taste as you go!
FAQ About Making Mexican Rice Recipe
Got questions about making the PERFECT Mexican rice? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked about this recipe:
Can I use brown rice for this Mexican rice recipe?
You CAN use brown rice, but it will change the cooking time and texture. Brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to add more liquid and simmer it for longer – usually around 45 minutes. Just keep an eye on it and add more broth if it starts to dry out!
How do I prevent my Mexican rice recipe from being sticky?
Sticky rice is the WORST, right? The key is rinsing the rice really well before you cook it. This gets rid of that extra starch that causes stickiness. Also, resist the urge to stir it too much while it’s simmering. Seriously, just leave it alone!
Can I make this Mexican rice recipe ahead of time?
Totally! This Mexican rice recipe is great for meal prepping. Just cook it according to the instructions, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
How to Store Leftover Mexican Rice Recipe
Okay, so you’ve made a big batch of this *Mexican rice recipe* and have leftovers? Awesome! Just let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just microwave it with a splash of water or broth to keep it nice and moist. Easy peasy!
Nutritional Information for Mexican Rice Recipe
Okay, so you’re curious about the nutrition, huh? Each serving (about 1/2 cup) has roughly 150 calories. I’m seeing about 3g of fat, 4g of protein, and 28g of carbs. Keep in mind, though, these are just estimates!
Try This Delicious Mexican Rice Recipe Today!
Seriously, what are you waiting for?! Get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of this amazing *Mexican rice recipe*! And hey, if you make it, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think! Bonus points if you share a pic on social media! I can’t WAIT to see your creations!
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Mexican Rice Recipe: Foolproof in Just 30 Minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Fluffy and flavorful Mexican rice, perfect as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Rinse rice until water runs clear.
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned.
- Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, salt, and chili powder.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
Notes
- Adjust spices to your taste.
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth.
- Garnish with cilantro for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
