Andy’s Zesty Homemade Mexican Rice Recipe – A Fiesta in Every Bite

Crafting an authentic Mexican rice recipe brings joy to every kitchen adventure.

Aromatic spices dance through my grandmother’s cherished culinary traditions.

Memories of her warm kitchen inspire this delightful dish.

Home cooks everywhere can master these simple yet flavorful techniques.

Each ingredient tells a story of cultural richness and passion.

Crisp textures and vibrant colors make this recipe a true crowd-pleaser.

You’ll love how easily this Mexican rice becomes a delicious centerpiece for any meal.

Andy’s Homemade Mexican Rice: Reasons to Enjoy

• Boost Flavor Fast: This Mexican rice recipe transforms simple ingredients into a taste explosion, delivering authentic Mexican restaurant-quality flavor right in your kitchen.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Requires minimal cooking skills and basic pantry staples, making it perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious side dish without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adaptable with optional vegetables like peas and carrots, allowing you to personalize the dish to match family preferences or use available ingredients.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a simple skillet method, reducing washing up and making meal preparation stress-free and straightforward for anyone.

Ingredients for Andy’s Homemade Mexican Rice

• Rice: A classic long-grain white rice that forms the base of this traditional Mexican side dish.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds rich, tangy flavor and creates a vibrant red color to the rice.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth of flavor and helps cook the rice to perfect tenderness.

• Onion, Garlic: Create a fragrant and flavorful foundation for the rice.
• Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential spices that bring authentic Mexican-style seasoning to the dish.

• Peas, Carrots: Fresh vegetables that add color, nutrition, and a slight sweetness to the rice.

• Oil: Helps toast the rice and prevents sticking while adding a subtle richness to the overall dish.

How to Prepare Andy’s Homemade Mexican Rice

Step 1: Toast The Rice

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully add rice and stir continuously until the grains transform into a beautiful golden brown color, releasing a nutty aroma.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

• Diced onion
• Minced garlic

Sauté these ingredients until they become fragrant and the onions turn translucent.

Step 3: Build The Flavor Base

• Tomato sauce
• Chicken broth
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Step 4: Slow Simmer The Rice

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid or stir during this time.

Step 5: Add Colorful Vegetables

• Frozen peas
• Diced carrots

Gently stir these vegetables into the rice without disturbing the cooking process.

Step 6: Fluff And Serve

Remove the skillet from heat and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.

Use a fork to fluff the rice, separating the grains. Serve hot as a delicious side dish.

Tips for Perfect Mexican Rice

• Toast rice carefully to prevent burning, watching for a golden-brown color that adds nutty depth to the dish.
• Use fresh, high-quality chicken broth for richer flavor and more authentic Mexican rice taste.
• Add frozen peas and carrots at the end to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
• Choose long-grain white rice for the best fluffy consistency that separates easily when cooked.
• Adjust liquid quantities slightly for high-altitude cooking to ensure perfect rice texture.

Variations on Andy’s Mexican Rice

• Vegetarian Mexican Rice: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for a plant-based version.
• Cauliflower Rice Alternative: Swap traditional rice with riced cauliflower for a low-carb option.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat and flavor.
• Instant Pot Quick Version: Adapt the recipe for pressure cooker cooking, reducing total preparation time by half.

Serving Suggestions for Mexican Rice

• Fiesta Plate Partner: Pair this zesty Mexican rice with grilled chicken or steak for a complete dinner that bursts with flavor and satisfies hungry families.
• Taco Night Star: Transform this rice into a killer side dish for taco night, letting guests scoop it alongside beans, salsa, and your favorite protein.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pack this rice in individual containers for quick lunches, adding grilled veggies or shredded chicken to create a delicious, portable meal that keeps you energized throughout the day.
• Potluck Crowd-Pleaser: Bring this colorful rice to gatherings, knowing it's an easy-to-transport dish that will impress friends and family with its authentic Mexican taste.

FAQs

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but you’ll need to adjust cooking time and liquid ratio. Brown rice typically requires more liquid and longer cooking time, around 45-50 minutes.

• Is it okay to skip tomato sauce if I don't have it?

You can substitute with diced tomatoes or tomato paste. If using tomato paste, mix it with a little water to thin it out before adding to the rice.

• What if I don't have chicken broth?

Water works fine, but the flavor will be less rich. You can also use vegetable broth or add a bouillon cube to enhance taste.

• How do I prevent the rice from burning or sticking?

Stir occasionally during initial toasting and keep heat at medium-low when simmering. Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and keep it covered to ensure even cooking.

Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Andy’s homemade Mexican rice blends authentic flavors from Mexico with simple ingredients. Comfort and zest combine in this easy side dish you’ll want to savor alongside your favorite main course.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Fat:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the cooking surface to evenly distribute heat.
2. Gently toast the rice kernels, stirring constantly until they transform into a rich golden-brown color, releasing a nutty aroma.
3. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
4. Pour in tomato sauce and chicken broth, then sprinkle cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
5. Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
6. Allow the rice to simmer undisturbed for approximately 18-22 minutes, ensuring the liquid is completely absorbed and rice becomes tender.
7. During the final 5 minutes of cooking, gently fold in diced carrots and sweet green peas, distributing them evenly throughout the rice.
8. Remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 3-4 minutes to complete the steaming process.
9. Using a light touch, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and create a fluffy texture.
10. Serve immediately while the rice remains warm and aromatic.

Notes

• Toast rice carefully to enhance nutty flavors and prevent burning by stirring constantly during golden browning process.
• Select long-grain white rice for best texture and fluffy consistency in traditional Mexican rice preparation.
• Customize vegetable additions like frozen corn or diced bell peppers for extra nutrition and color variation.
• Adapt recipe for dietary needs by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for vegetarian version or low-sodium broth for reduced salt content.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 165 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg