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Home » Side Dishes » Mexican Rice Recipe

Published: April 14, 2021 Last Modified: April 14, 2021 By Sara 12 Comments

Mexican Rice Recipe

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This Mexican rice recipe is restaurant style rice simmered in tomato sauce and broth with plenty of spices.

This Mexican rice recipe is restaurant style rice simmered in tomato sauce and broth with plenty of spices. A quick and easy side dish that pairs perfectly with fajitas, tacos or carnitas, and makes a perfect filling for burritos. 

We eat Mexican food at least once a week in my house, some of our favorites include chicken fajitas, beef enchiladas and this super simple yet versatile Mexican rice.

This Mexican rice recipe is restaurant style rice simmered in tomato sauce and broth with plenty of spices. This Mexican rice recipe is restaurant style rice simmered in tomato sauce and broth with plenty of spices.

A pot of Mexican rice garnished with tomatoes, cilantro and lime wedges.

Everyone needs some great side dishes in their cooking repertoire, and this Mexican rice is one of the best options. I always keep the ingredients on hand so that I can whip up a batch at a moment’s notice. This recipe is sure to get rave reviews from both kids and adults alike.

Mexican Rice Ingredients

All you need is a handful of pantry items, plus one secret ingredient to make the best rice.

  • Rice: I prefer to use a medium to long grain rice in this dish, as it has the best flavor and texture to complement the tomato and spices, and is most authentic to what you’d find in a restaurant.
  • Chicken Broth: The use of chicken broth gives the rice a more complex flavor. Look for low sodium broth if you’re sensitive to salt. Vegetable broth can also be used if you’re feeding vegetarians.
  • Spices: Add a little spice to make your rice taste authentic. I use fresh minced garlic, chili powder and cumin.
  • Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce gives the rice its distinctive color and flavor. Don’t use spaghetti sauce, look for small jars of tomato sauce that contain pureed tomatoes, salt and often garlic or onion.
  • Bell Pepper: This is the secret ingredient in the dish! Place a few slices of bell pepper in the rice while it simmers, then remove the peppers before serving. You can use a red or green pepper, although I prefer red because it has a milder taste.

Bowls of rice, pepper, olive oil and seasonings.

How do you make Mexican rice?

Start by cooking the raw rice in a little oil to toast the grains. Add the chicken broth, spices, tomato sauce and bell peppers to the pot. Cover the pot and simmer until the rice is tender. When the rice is finished cooking, remove the bell peppers and discard. Fluff the rice with a fork, then serve and enjoy.

Toasted rice in a pot.

Tips for the perfect dish

  • Mexican rice will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the rice for later use.
  • This dish will makes about 6 generous portions, but can feed up to 8 as a smaller dish. You can easily double the recipe if you have more people to serve.
  • Feel free to dress up your rice with a variety of toppings such as fresh pico de gallo, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, sour cream or olives.
  • You can also make this recipe with brown rice, but you will need to add more liquid and add another 30 minutes to the cook time.

Rice with tomato sauce, peppers and spices.

Flavor Variations

While this rice is fabulous as-is, you can add other flavors to make it your own.

  • Vegetables: Stir some cooked veggies into your rice such as corn, roasted green chilies, onions or dice up the bell pepper slices and add them to the finished dish.
  • Spice: If you prefer spicy rice, you can add crushed red pepper flakes to taste, or add 1 minced canned chipotle pepper for a smoky heat.
  • Beans: Add one can of drained and rinsed black or pinto beans to the cooked rice for extra protein and flavor.

Mexican rice on a plate next to enchiladas.

Once you try this Mexican rice, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. It’s just that good!

More Mexican Inspired Dishes

  • Chile Verde
  • Taco Bake
  • Mexican Salad
  • Taco Lasagna
  • Chicken Tacos

Mexican Rice Video

A pot of Mexican rice garnished with tomatoes, cilantro and lime wedges.
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5 from 12 votes

Mexican Rice

This Mexican rice recipe is restaurant style rice simmered in tomato sauce and broth with plenty of spices. A quick and easy side dish that pairs perfectly with fajitas, tacos or carnitas, and makes a perfect filling for burritos. 
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 198kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the Rice:

  • 2 cups long grain white rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 red bell pepper cored, seeded and quartered
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • diced tomatoes, cilantro and lime wedges for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the rice and stir until the rice is coated in the oil. Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the rice is toasted and lightly browned.
  • Add all of the remaining ingredients, then bring the pot to a boil.
  • Cover the pot and turn the heat to low; cook for 17 minutes.
  • Take the pot off the heat and let it stand, covered for 5 minutes. Remove and discard bell peppers. Fluff with a fork, then serve.
  • Garnish with tomatoes, cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 970IU | Vitamin C: 30.4mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.3mg
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    Comments

    1. Katy says

      January 17, 2022 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      I had to comment as this is my favorite rice recipe now!

      Reply
    2. Chantiel says

      August 4, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is my go to Mexican rice recipie. It’s so easy to make and is a great compliment to southwestern dishes.

      Reply
    3. Jacque Hooper says

      May 11, 2021 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for chicken burritos this evening and it was a hit all around the table! So simple, yet flavorful!

      Reply
    4. Jess says

      May 6, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy dish to make to go alongside my favorite enchiladas.

      Reply
    5. Anjali says

      May 6, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      We love Mexican rice in our house and we use your recipe often!! Most recently, we used it as a base for burrito bowls and it turned out great! 🙂

      Reply
    6. whitney says

      May 6, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      I also love to add red bell pepper to pretty much anything I make. They are delicious and perfect in this dish!

      Reply
    7. Lindsay says

      May 6, 2021 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      This recipe came out perfectly – it was exactly what I wanted, and so similar to our favorite mexican restaurant’s version. Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Nart says

      May 6, 2021 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe a few times already and I love it. I’ve tried a few different kinds of rice also but have to agree that long grain rice is the best for this recipe!

      Reply
    9. Brianna says

      April 21, 2021 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      Just like my favorite restaurant! My family loved this rice.

      Reply
    10. Andrea says

      April 21, 2021 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness. This rice looks just like the one I get from my local restaurant. I can’t wait to make this.

      Reply
    11. Biana says

      April 21, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      Mexican rice is such a simple and delicious side dish! Perfect with some grilled chicken or pork.

      Reply
    12. Emily Liao says

      April 21, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was perfect! Made it with some chicken fajitas and it was delicious!

      Reply

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