How To Make Mexican Rice At Home

Mexican Rice Ingredients

Mexican cuisine is known for its flavor which comes from fresh ingredients and spices. To make Mexican rice, you need a few such ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

Here is everything you need:

• White Rice: Go for long-grain white rice because it is less sticky and absorbs more flavor. Avoid using brown rice as it might affect the cooking time and consistency of the end result. This recipe calls for a cup of white rice but you can increase the proportion if you’re making a bigger portion.

• Onions: This one is pretty obvious because onions are a staple in Mexican cuisine. Go for a small onion that is diced to make small uniform pieces. We prefer white onions but yellow ones do just the job.

• Tomato Paste: We don’t do canned tomatoes in this recipe. It calls for freshly made tomato paste made with real tomatoes. Even though, canned or store-bought tomato paste works fine, the flavor just isn’t the same. Add in 3-4 medium-sized tomatoes.

• Chicken Broth: Instead of water, we use chicken broth because it adds flavor and provides depth to the dish. You can also replace it with vegetable broth if you like. Using water also works if you’re out of broth. This recipe requires one cup of chicken broth.

• Mexican Seasoning and Spices: No Mexican dish is complete without the signature Mexican seasoning. It includes spices like dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, and salt. If you have a premixed Mexican seasoning, you can use that instead.

• Jalapeno: Add in 1 small Jalapeno that is seeded and finely chopped. This gives the rice a certain bite while also enhancing the flavor. You can add in a few chilies if you want your Mexican rice to have a kick.

• Aromatics: Aromatics include garlic, pepper, and some carrots. Add in some peas as well if you like. These veggies provide dimension to your dish.

How To Make Mexican Rice On The Stove

Now that you know what you need to cook this dish, let's get to cooking:

Step 1: Gather The Ingredients

The first step is to gather the ingredients. While selecting the ingredients, make sure to select fresh items. The status of your ingredients determines the flavor of your end result. So, look for fresh aromatics and chicken broth. If possible, make your own broth but the store-bought option also works well.

Step 2: Cook The Aromatics

Begin chopping up your veggies. Finely dice onions, jalapenos, and garlic before you begin the cooking process. If you want to keep your rice on the mild side, avoid adding any seeds from the jalapeno.

Then, cook the minced/diced veggies in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for about 5 minutes or until the onions become transparent. Make sure to not overcook the aromatics because it might result in a burnt flavor.

Step 3: Add The Rice

Once your aromatics are all done, it's time to prep the rice. Start by rinsing and draining the rice. It gets rid of any excess starch on the surface of the rice as it might lead to the rice grains sticking with one another.

Add the rinsed rice to the veggies and saute until it is slightly brown. In about 2-3 minutes, the rice will be evenly coated with the oil which also prevents them from sticking.

Step 4: Add The Seasoning

The next step is to add in your seasonings. Add in 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder and ½ teaspoon cumin into the mix.

Then, add the tomato paste and diced tomatoes into the mix and stir well.

The seasoning is added only after the rice is slightly browned and it should be cooked for a few minutes to allow the flavors to seep into the rice grains.

Step 5: Pour In The Broth and Simmer

Once everything is properly cooked, it’s time to add in the chicken broth. Add 1 cup of chicken broth for every cup of rice. This way the rice to water ratio remains balanced so you have fluffy Mexican rice as a result.

Cook the rice on medium until the broth comes to a boil. After boiling, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.

You can check the doneness of the rice by mincing it with your fingers as well.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Now that the rice is cooked, it’s time to garnish. Add the chopped parsley on top of the rice and let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Serve it as a side with grilled chicken, tacos or some plain tortilla.

How To Make Mexican Rice In Instant Pot

Even though cooking Mexican rice on the stove is an easy thing to do, it's always better when you have some hands-off time in the kitchen. The Instant Pot is a great device that makes this recipe even more quick and easy.

Here's how to prepare it:

• Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and add oil.

• Once hot, add rice and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden.

• Add tomato sauce, chicken broth, and all seasonings. Stir well to combine.

• Cancel sauté mode and secure the Instant Pot lid.

• Set the valve to the sealing position and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.

• Once done, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure manually.

• Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Then add your garnish which might include peas and parsley.

• Replace the lid and let sit for 5 minutes to heat through and absorb excess moisture.

• Serve hot and enjoy your Instant Pot-made Mexican rice!

How To Make Mexican Rice In Rice Cooker

Using a rice cooker simplifies the process while still delivering delicious results. It works even better when it comes to Mexican rice because the high pressure intensifies the flavors.

Here is how to cook Mexican rice in a rice cooker:

• Start by rinsing the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.

• In a pan, heat oil and sauté diced onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions become transparent and there is a mild fragrance.

• Add the rinsed rice to the pan and toast for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden.

• Finally, transfer the toasted rice mixture to the rice cooker pot to begin cooking.

• Then, add the tomato paste, broth, and spices to the rice cooker and cook well. Make sure that the rice is properly coated with the spices.

• Close the lid and set the rice cooker to the regular rice setting.

• Once the cycle is complete, let the rice sit for 5-10 minutes without opening the lid.

• Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with some chopped cilantro.

• Serve hot as a side dish with your favorite Mexican meals.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Mexican Rice

The time taken to cook Mexican rice depends on the quantity of rice being cooked. For a cup of rice, the stove method typically takes 25-30 minutes of cooking time. Besides cooking, it requires 5 minutes to saute the aromatics and about 5-10 minutes of rest before serving.

Similarly, for the rice cooker method, expect about 30-40 minutes in total. It includes 20 minutes of cooking time and 20 minutes of prep. 

If you’re cooking in an Instant Pot, it saves you the most time. It is the fastest option with about 15-20 minutes including the resting time.

Mexican Rice Recipe Tips

• Toast the rice before cooking to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping. Toasting also makes the rice porous which helps in absorbing more flavor.

• Use a high-quality broth for a richer taste. It’s best if you use fresh broth but the store-bought version works fine as well.

• For extra flavor, use chicken bouillon or tomato bouillon cubes.

• Fluff the rice with a fork, not a spoon, to maintain texture.

• Let the rice rest after cooking to absorb excess moisture.

What To Serve With Mexican Rice

• Carne Asada: The savory, slightly charred meat complements the flavorful rice perfectly. The Mexican spices in the two dishes also go very well.

• Chicken Enchiladas: The fluffy texture of Mexican rice is complimented by the creamy, saucy texture of the enchiladas.

• Black Bean and Corn Salad: For a healthier take, you can try pairing Mexican rice with black beans and corn salad.