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Home ยป Side Dish ยป Mexican Rice

April 27, 2014 25 Comments

Mexican Rice

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Mexican Rice in a white bowl with tomatoes in the background.

Our Mexican Fiesta continues today, with this delicious Mexican Rice…aka Spanish Rice. I have been trying out different recipes for years trying to come up with one that does not taste like tomato paste with some seasonings. This version turned out perfect! The tomatoes are there, and so are the chiles and cilantro, but they do not overpower the rice…or any of the other delicious foods on your plate. 

Mexican Rice | cookingwithcurls.com | #cincodemayo #fiesta

If you can boil water, you can make this Mexican Rice! It is really easy!

How to make Mexican Rice

Heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan….like a 4 to 6 quart sized pan. As you will soon see, my pan was too small. Stir in the rice and cook until browned, about 3 minutes stirring occasionally.

Mexican Rice oil cookingwithcurls.com

Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, still stirring occasionally.

Mexican rice onions cookingiwthcurls.com

Add the tomatoes.

Mexican Rice tomatoes cookingwithcurls.com

and chicken stock and stir to combine.

Mexican rice stock cookingwithcurls.com

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Mexican rice cooked cookingwithcurls.com

A 2 1/2 quart pan works great for 1 cup of rice, but definitely not for 2 cups!! Stir in the chopped cilantro {after I moved it to a bowl}.

Mexican rice cilantro cookingwithcurls.com

Just look at that steaming hot rice! Serve garnished with additional chopped cilantro.

Mexican Rice - cookingwithcurls.com

I served mine with Shredded Beef Enchiladas and canned, organic refried beans.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas cookingwithcurls.com

No, I did not make beans from scratch. After making the Mexican Shredded Beef, the Red Chile Enchilada Sauce, Homemade Guacamole, and the rice…..I ran out of steam! My friend Gloria {Simply Gloria} has an awesome recipe for Classic Refried Beans if you are looking for a recipe.

You could easily make this rice vegan by substituting vegetable broth for the chicken stock. If it is not spicy enough for you, sprinkle with cayenne pepper or hot sauce!

Enjoy!!

Mexican Rice in a white bowl with tomatoes in the background.

Mexican Rice

This Mexican Rice is loaded with flavor, is easy to make, and makes the perfect side dish for your Mexican or Spanish inspired meals.
0 from 0 votes
Print
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Mexican flavored rice, traditional side dish
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 33 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 388kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups long-grain rice
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 large cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with chiles drained* (I used Hunts all-natural)
  • 4 cups chicken stock or homemade
  • 1/4 cup firmly packed, chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large sauce pan (4 to 6 quart) over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook until browned, about 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Add onion and garlic and continue to cook, stirring occasionally for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.

Notes

  • Can substitute 3/4 pound fresh, seeded and chopped tomatoes + 1 can diced green chiles for the canned tomatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Winnie says

    April 27, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I like it!!
    It’s different and I like the ingredients that you used (I’d just replace to veggie stock)

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      April 27, 2014 at 11:46 pm

      Thank you Winnie. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Leslie says

    April 27, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    This looks so good. I love Mexican rice, yum!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      April 27, 2014 at 11:46 pm

      Thank you Leslie! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Seana Turner says

    April 28, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    Yum! It looks really natural too, not artificially colored. I love rice and cilantro, so I’d try this. In fact, I’m hungry and was thinking “I wish I were sitting in front of that plate of food right now!”

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 06, 2014 at 10:05 am

      Thank you Seana! Have you ever seen the Jetson’s cartoon? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just push a button, and anything that we would like to eat would just magically appear! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Rosie the housekeeper would be nice as well, lol

      Reply
  4. Cindy Eikenberg says

    April 28, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Lisa, I love rice and this dish looks incredible – what a beautiful dish! Pinning, of course! Hope you’re having a great Monday!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 06, 2014 at 10:06 am

      Thank you so much Cindy!! Have a great day, whatever day we are now on. I am soooo far behind, it’s ridiculous. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Zainab says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:19 am

    I love this!! I eat rice 4 out of 7 days of the week so I will be trying this soon!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 06, 2014 at 10:06 am

      Thank you so much Zainab! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

    April 29, 2014 at 1:35 am

    I could live on Mexican food in one form or another every day for every meal. Love it! Of course, every good Mexican meal needs rice – this one sounds super, Lisa!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 06, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Thank you so much Jamie! I could as well, I never get tired of it. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. marcie says

    April 29, 2014 at 10:59 am

    I’ve made mexican rice at home once and it was just so-so. This looks like a great recipe! I need to try it soon. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 06, 2014 at 10:00 am

      Thank you Marcie. You will have to let me know what you think! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    May 09, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    This rice looks so good! I love that it’s not overwhelmed with tomato flavour — it looks so fresh!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:32 pm

      Thank you so much Ashley! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. Starla J says

    May 12, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Looks yummy!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 12, 2014 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you Starla! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  10. Diane Balch says

    May 13, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    So simple yet looks so delicious.

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:48 pm

      Thank you Diane. ๐Ÿ™‚ Simple is nice every once in a while!

      Reply
  11. Melissa @ Simply Sweets by Honeybee says

    May 15, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Your rice looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      May 16, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you Melissa. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. Adelina Priddis says

    May 18, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    I was thinking today that I needed a new rice recipe. Sounds absolutely perfect! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

    Reply
  13. Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says

    April 10, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    So simple! Pinned!

    Reply
  14. Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says

    April 11, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I want this rice! And the rest of your meal, too!

    Reply

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