Homemade Mexican Rice

Sharing our favorite Mexican Rice recipe today! My Homemade Mexican Rice is simple to prepare and packed with delicious Mexican flavors. Perfect for parties and Mexican night!

mexican rice in serving dish

Mexican Rice

It’s so nice to have a go-to Mexican Rice recipe. I’ve got you covered! My recipe could not be more simple to prepare and it’s a hit with everyone.

Try my Weeknight Chicken Enchiladas too! Follow Picky Palate on Instagram for daily recipe inspiration.

mexican rice in serving dish

 

What You’ll Need

  • white long grain rice– Cook your favorite white rice. I’ve even used the frozen bags from Trader Joe’s that you microwave for 3 minutes. Whatever you prefer. White, basmati, or your favorite variety.
  • extra virgin olive oil– You’ll use the olive oil to saute the vegetables and then rice.
  • white onion– Make sure  you finely chop the white onion before sateeing.
  • fresh minced garlic– Many times I use the minced garlic in the jars found in the produce section of the grocery store. You can mince your own fresh garlic too.
  • tomato sauce– Tomato sauce gives the rice it’s red color and rich flavor.
  • Cholula– Use your favorite hot sauce, Cholula is what we use.
  • canned tomatoes such as Rotel– I like to get the mild rotel diced tomatoes with peppers.
  • cumin– Ground cumin adds a smoky Mexican flavor to the rice.
  • kosher salt– Kosher salt is a coarse salt commonly used in cooking and baking.
  • black pepper– For best results, use freshly cracked black pepper.
  • lime juice– Fresh lime juice adds a lovely freshness to the rice.
  • prepared mild salsa– Use your favorite prepared salsa for the recipe.

How to Make Easy Mexican Rice

  1. Cook rice according to package directions. Place oil in large pot over medium heat. When hot add onion. Saute for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in cooked rice then add tomato sauce, cholula, Rotel diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice and salsa. Stir to combine and cook until hot. Serve warm.

mexican rice in serving dish

 

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

I cooked my rice in my Instant Pot. It is my favorite way to cook rice. If you don’t have an instant pot yet, it’s worth it just as a rice cooker if you ask me. Perfect rice every time.

If you don’t have a rice cooker, you can cook your rice on the stove top too.

How To Cook Rice?

REMEMBER Ratio 1:2. 

For most types of rice, you’ll always use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can scale up or down. (Double-check your rice packaging to be sure.) Feel free to swap in chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.

BRING WATER TO A BOIL. 

SIMMER. 

After adding the rice, the water will stop boiling. Let it come back to a gentle simmer.

DO NOT TAKE OFF THE LID. 

Cover the saucepan and reduce heat to low.

Check Rice at About 12-18 Minutes.

Set a timer for 17-18 minutes, it could need another minute or two, but let the rice be your indicator, not the water.

LEAVE IT ALONE.

Turn off the heat, replace the lid, and let it rest for a few minutes in the steamy saucepan.

FLUFF With Fork. 

Use a fork to fluff rice up.

mexican rice in serving dish

 

How To Serve Mexican Rice

Serve rice for any occasion where Mexican style food is being served.

How To Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed.

mexican rice

Homemade Mexican Rice

This Homemade Mexican Rice is simple to prepare and packed with delicious Mexican flavors. Perfect for parties!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 155kcal
Author: Jenny
Cost: $15
Print Pin

Equipment

  • Stove
  • large pot
  • cutting board
  • chef knife
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • mixing spoon

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry white rice I used basmati today, when cooked it's roughly 4 cups
  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 4 shakes of Cholula or your favorite hot sauce
  • 10 ounce can Rotel mild
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup salsa I uses Sadies, not as hot Salsa

Instructions

  • Cook rice according to package directions. Place oil in large pot over medium heat. When hot add onion. Saute for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in cooked rice then add tomato sauce, cholula, Rotel diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice and salsa. Stir to combine and cook until hot. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: best mexican rice, best mexican rice recipe, easy mexican rice, homemade mexican rice, how to make mexican rice, mexican rice, mexican rice recipe

photo collage of mexican rice recipe

 

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