Mexican Rice Recipe

Mexican Rice Recipe

Cook Time: 30 minutes

This fluffy Mexican rice, seasoned with garlic salt and cumin, is sure to become a favorite side dish in your home. Follow these simple steps to prepare a delicious and savory dish!

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce

Instructions:

Step 1: Gather all the ingredients for the recipe.

Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3: Add the uncooked rice, chopped onion, garlic salt, and cumin to the pan. Cook while stirring constantly until the rice becomes puffed and golden brown. This will add texture and flavor.

Step 4: Once the rice is golden, stir in the chicken broth and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 25 minutes. This will allow the rice to absorb all the flavors and cook to perfection.

Step 6: After 25 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. This will ensure it stays light and airy.

Step 7: Serve the rice warm as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meal and enjoy!

Storage:

Store any leftover rice in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent the rice from drying out.

Tips:

  • If you want to use brown rice instead of white rice, increase the simmer time to 40-45 minutes for the rice to cook fully.
  • For added heat, substitute the tomato sauce with your favorite hot salsa.
  • This rice is perfect for filling burritos or as a base for rice salad bowls. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled fish.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

  • Calories: 291
  • Total Fat: 11g (14% Daily Value)
  • Saturated Fat: 2g (9% Daily Value)
  • Cholesterol: 3mg (1% Daily Value)
  • Sodium: 1096mg (48% Daily Value)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42g (15% Daily Value)
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% Daily Value)
  • Total Sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 5g (10% Daily Value)
  • Vitamin C: 3mg (3% Daily Value)
  • Calcium: 23mg (2% Daily Value)
  • Iron: 2mg (12% Daily Value)
  • Potassium: 173mg (4% Daily Value)

Enjoy your homemade Mexican rice, a delicious, flavorful addition to any meal!

Mexican Rice Recipe

Comments

Rebecca Hill

10/01/2025 11:20:27 AM

I finally discovered the perfect recipe for preparing authentic Mexican rice, just like the one served in restaurants. The secret lies in the choice of seasonings. When I first tried the recipe with just cumin, it didn't quite hit the mark. However, on my second attempt, I used Taco Seasoning I (from this site) and it made all the difference. I added about 1-1/2 tsp of the seasoning mix, which contains cumin and various other spices perfectly suited for this dish. I also sautéed the onion in oil before adding the rice to ensure it turned out soft and flavorful. Following these adjustments, the dish turned out absolutely perfect!

Brian Parker

09/29/2025 08:02:22 AM

This rice recipe is fantastic and simple to make. I made a few tweaks by sautéing the onion before adding the rice, including fresh minced garlic, and using chicken stock instead of broth. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

Michelle Evans

10/02/2025 12:35:17 AM

We thoroughly enjoyed this dish. I made a few modifications as I was using ingredients I had on hand: - Replaced garlic powder with chopped fresh garlic - Used a 12 oz. can of chopped tomatoes instead of tomato sauce - Included a small can of chopped mild green chilies Following the advice of other reviewers, I sautéed the onions, added the fresh garlic and rice. I will definitely be making this dish again as it turned out to be outstanding.

Jason Davis

09/29/2025 07:27:49 PM

I decided to enhance the flavor by adding onions to the pan before cooking the Jasmine rice. I also opted for chopped garlic and reduced the water to 1-1/2 cups. The dish was a hit at a church event, receiving particular praise from a Mexican woman who exclaimed, "I'm Mexican and this is delicious!" I will definitely be using this recipe in the future instead of pre-packaged mixes.

Linda Diaz

10/02/2025 01:12:52 PM

Delicious! This dish is absolutely fantastic. Taking a cue from other reviewers, I swapped out the tomato sauce for a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Instead of using garlic salt, I opted for 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and a minced clove of garlic. After combining all the ingredients in the skillet, I transferred everything to my rice cooker and it turned out just right! So flavorful and delightful!

Elizabeth Moore

10/02/2025 07:21:54 PM

This recipe has great potential for improvement. By substituting bacon grease for oil and sautéing the onion with the rice, the flavors can be elevated. I like to add a blend of oregano, parsley, and cumin for a delicious twist. Additionally, I include sliced celery and carrots before adding the broth for extra depth. During the summer, I opt for fresh chopped tomatoes instead of tomato sauce. To enhance the dish further, I skip the garlic salt and use plain salt instead.

Gregory Moore

09/30/2025 11:39:47 PM

Absolutely delicious! Beats any Mexican restaurant I've visited. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe.

Jessica Jones

09/30/2025 04:20:41 AM

Great!

Ruth Garcia

10/01/2025 03:22:24 PM

I have made this recipe multiple times and it always turns out perfectly! I have tried using cumin and also taco seasoning instead of cumin, and both variations have been excellent!

Helen Robinson

10/01/2025 03:06:20 PM

The dish is even tastier with bell pepper, in other words, it's fantastic.

Sharon Young

09/29/2025 07:52:35 PM

I followed the recipe and the result was absolutely delicious.