This straightforward Mexican Rice recipe is the right aspect dish for tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, grilled rooster, and all of your favourite Mexican-inspired meals. It turns easy pantry components right into a fluffy, savory aspect the entire household will love.
What Is Mexican Rice?
Mexican rice, typically referred to as Spanish rice, is a flavorful aspect dish made by evenly toasting white rice earlier than simmering it with tomatoes, broth, onions, garlic, and spices. Toasting the rice offers it a barely nutty taste and helps the grains stay separate and fluffy as they cook dinner.
Though the names Mexican rice and Spanish rice are sometimes used interchangeably in the US, this tomato-based rice is particularly frequent alongside Mexican and Tex-Mex meals.
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Rice Recipe
This home made Mexican rice is flavorful with out being overly spicy, making it a fantastic possibility for teenagers and adults. It additionally makes use of cheap pantry staples and comes collectively in a single pan for simple cleanup.
It’s also:
- Fluffy and flavorful
- Simple to customise
- Naturally dairy-free
- Easy to make vegetarian
- Excellent for meal prep
- Freezer-friendly
- Scrumptious with practically any Mexican-inspired entrée
The Secret to Fluffy Mexican Rice
Crucial step on this Mexican rice recipe is to toast the rice earlier than including the liquid. Cooking the grains in oil till they develop into evenly golden provides taste and helps stop the rice from turning into sticky or mushy.
Rinsing the rice can be essential. It removes extra floor starch so the cooked grains keep fluffy and separate.
As soon as the broth has been added, keep away from stirring the rice or repeatedly lifting the lid. Holding the pan coated permits the rice to cook dinner evenly within the trapped steam.
Suggestions for Making the Finest Mexican Rice
Use long-grain white rice
Lengthy-grain rice creates the lightest and fluffiest texture. Jasmine rice may also work, however it might have a softer texture and barely completely different taste.
Rinse and drain the rice nicely
Rinse the rice till the water is usually clear, then enable it to empty completely. Extra water can have an effect on the liquid ratio and make the completed rice too mushy.
Toast till evenly golden
The rice doesn’t have to develop into darkish brown. Toast it simply till a few of the grains start to look golden and scent barely nutty.
Hold the lid closed
Opening the lid releases steam and might intrude with the cooking course of. Wait till the rice has completed simmering earlier than checking it.
Let the rice relaxation
Resting the coated rice for five–10 minutes permits the remaining moisture to distribute evenly. This makes the rice simpler to fluff and improves its texture.
Child-Pleasant Suggestions
This recipe has loads of taste with out loads of warmth. For kids who’re delicate to spice, scale back or omit the chili powder.
It’s also possible to mix the tomato sauce, onion, and broth earlier than including them to the pan in case your kids desire rice with out seen items of onion.
Including peas, carrots, corn, or finely diced bell peppers is a straightforward approach to embrace further greens. Let kids select which greens they wish to add to their rice.
Mexican Rice Variations
Add greens
Stir in frozen peas, carrots, corn, diced bell peppers, or chopped zucchini. Frozen greens will be added in the course of the resting time, whereas recent greens must be sautéed with the onion.
Add beans
Combine in drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans after the rice has cooked to show it right into a extra filling aspect dish.
Make it spicy
Add minced jalapeño, cayenne pepper, crushed crimson pepper flakes, or a spoonful of chopped inexperienced chiles.
Make it vegetarian
Use vegetable broth as a substitute of rooster broth.
Add further tomato taste
Exchange a part of the broth with further tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, or blended recent tomatoes. Hold the general quantity of liquid roughly the identical.
Add protein
Flip this aspect dish into a whole meal by including shredded rooster, seasoned floor turkey, taco meat, or cooked shrimp.
Retailer Mexican Rice
Permit leftover rice to chill earlier than transferring it to an hermetic container. Retailer it within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Reheat particular person parts within the microwave with a small splash of broth or water. Cowl the rice with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel to assist restore moisture.
It’s also possible to reheat it in a coated skillet over low warmth. Add a tablespoon or two of broth and stir often till warmed by means of.
Can You Freeze Mexican Rice?
Mexican rice freezes nicely, making it a handy possibility for meal prep.
Permit the rice to chill fully, then place it in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Freeze for as much as three months.
Thaw it in a single day within the fridge or reheat it straight from frozen. Add a splash of water or broth earlier than reheating so the rice doesn’t dry out.
Regularly Requested Questions
Why did my Mexican rice prove mushy?
Mushy rice is normally brought on by an excessive amount of liquid, extra water left on the rinsed rice, frequent stirring, or cooking it for too lengthy. Measure the components rigorously and keep away from lifting the lid whereas the rice simmers.
Can I take advantage of brown rice?
Sure, however brown rice requires extra liquid and an extended cooking time. Comply with the liquid ratio and cooking directions on the rice package deal, whereas retaining the tomato sauce and seasonings for taste.
Can I take advantage of minute rice?
On the spot rice just isn’t really useful for this cooking technique as a result of it requires a distinct quantity of liquid and cooks a lot sooner than common long-grain rice.
Can I make Mexican rice forward of time?
Sure. Put together the rice as much as three days forward and retailer it within the fridge. Reheat it with a splash of broth or water earlier than serving.
Is Mexican rice spicy?
This model is delicate and family-friendly. Chili powder provides heat and taste quite than important warmth. You may omit it for a good milder dish or add jalapeños and cayenne for a spicier model.
Extra Mexican-Impressed Recipes:
Simple Mexican Rice Recipe
This straightforward Mexican Rice recipe is the right aspect dish for tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, grilled rooster, and all of your favourite Mexican-inspired meals.
Servings: 6
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp floor cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt plus extra to style
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium rooster or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots non-obligatory
- 2 tbsp chopped recent cilantro
- Lime wedges for serving
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Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it underneath cool water till the water runs largely clear. Drain nicely.
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Warmth the oil in a big skillet or medium saucepan over medium warmth.
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Add the rinsed rice and diced onion. Prepare dinner for five–7 minutes, stirring continuously, till the rice is evenly golden and the onion begins to melt.
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Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Prepare dinner for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
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Rigorously pour within the tomato sauce and broth. Stir to mix and convey the combination to a mild boil.
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Scale back the warmth to low and canopy the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer for 18–20 minutes with out lifting the lid or stirring.
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Take away the pan from the warmth. Add the frozen peas and carrots, if utilizing, and substitute the lid. Permit the rice to relaxation for five–10 minutes.
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Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir within the cilantro and serve with recent lime wedges.