Description
This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe offers a flavorful, vibrant side dish perfect for complementing any Mexican-inspired meal. With simple ingredients like tomato sauce, chicken broth, and a blend of spices, it delivers a deliciously savory rice with a mild kick that can be prepared quickly in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Liquids and Spices
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock or broth
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy during cooking.
- Sauté the rice: Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice becomes translucent and lightly toasted, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add liquids and spices: Pour in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic salt, and ground cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer the rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the rice simmer gently for 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Rest and fluff: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth.
- You can add finely chopped vegetables like peas or carrots during the simmering step for added texture and nutrition.
- Adjust chili powder to taste for more or less spiciness.
- Using long-grain rice ensures fluffier, non-sticky results.
- Letting the rice rest before fluffing helps steam the grains perfectly.
