Mexican Rice: How I Learned The Best Way To Make Authentic

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Mexican rice is easy to make but should be simple yet flavorful. Pair with the best Mexican dishes from Taco Tuesday to Cinco de Mayo.

If it’s Spanish, I love it. From the language to the people, especially the women. I have had the pleasure of traveling the world and I am about to share with you how Mexican rice is truly made. And please this is Mexican rice and not Spanish rice.

In Mexico, things are made very simple. For example, fajitas or Mexican street corn. It’s believed to let the natural flavors come through and thats what it’s all about. But the way they use spices is amazing.

Depending on who is making it Mexican rice can vary from household to household. So, what is considered authentic can change. However, there are a few ingredients that always remain classic.

Keep reading and we will dive into the Mexican rice recipe that’s sure to please.

How To Make Mexican Rice

Don’t forget these ingredients

• Long-Grain White Rice
• Chicken Stock
• Roma Tomato
• Garlic
• Yellow Onion
• Chicken Boullion Cube
• Tomato Paste
• Frozen Peas & Carrots
• Annatto Powder

Please don’t make these mistakes, helpful tips

• You still need to rinse and drain the rice. You will toast it before cooking but you need to get the excess starch from it.
• Heat the chicken stock up before blending. This way it can break down the bouillon cube before.
• Salt is tricky in this recipe. The bouillon cube can vary from brand and then we have our own personal taste. I suggest you add very little before and then adjust to taste after. Then, next time you can play with the amounts you need.

Making the Mexican rice recipe

1. To start, heat up the chicken stock. In a blender add onion, garlic, boullion cube, tomato paste, annatto powder and Roma tomato. Blend everything together until smooth.
2. Next, drain and rinse the rice.
3. In a pot or sauce pan, on medium high heat add about two tablespoon of oil. To test when the oil is hot simply drop a few pieces of rice in. When it starts to sizzle add all the rice in then continuously stir until rice is toasted brown. Do not burn the rice, keep it moving often or it will burn.
4. Now, once most of the rice is toasted lower the heat to low. Then, pour in the contents from the blender. It may sizzle a little but no problem. Add in the frozen peas and carrots then stir. Lastly, slit a Serrano pepper down the middle and place in the pot or pan.
5. Cover and allow to slowly cook for 20 minutes.
6. Now, after 20 minutes some of the tomato and paste will rise to the top. Fluff the rice and mix it in then allow the rice to sit for 10 minutes to settle in the flavors.
7. Serve with anything you ‘d like, it’s perfect!

How to store this recipe

Storing Mexican rice is no different than any other rice. You can leave it in the refrigerator a few days or you could toss it in something safe and freeze it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes Mexican rice different?

Not to be confused with Spanish rice, Mexican rice is done differently. Different spices are used and mainly their use of tomato which give the rice its classic orange, reddish tint.

Why do Mexican fry rice before cooking it?

A very good question and one I wanted to test. When you fry the rice there’s this toasted note that just isn’t there if you skip the step. The rice is given a very warm and inviting flavor from the toasting of the rice.

Is Mexican rice healthy?

Whole foods should always be apart of your daily diet. This rice recipe has natural foods and one grain so it’s a great side dish that could be classified as healthy. Definitely better than French fries!

What to serve with Mexican rice?

• Carne Asada

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is easy to make but should be simple yet flavorful. Pair with the best Mexican dishes from Taco Tuesday to Cinco de Mayo.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 serving

Calories 170 kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 roma tomato
• 3 clove garlic
• 1/2 medium yellow onion
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon annatto powder (sub with paprika)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 cup frozen peas & carrots
• 1 serrano pepper

Instructions

 

• Heat up chicken broth in microwave. In a blender add tomato, onion, cloves of garlic, chicken bouillon cube, tomato paste, annatto, cumin and turmeric. Blend until smooth.
• Rinse and drain 1 cup of rice
• In a pot or sauce pan on medium high heat add about 2 TB of oil. To test when oil is hot drop a couple of grains in. When it sizzles add in all the drained rice.
• Continue to stir until most of the rice is a golden brown. Then, lower the heat to low and pour in the contents from the blender.
• Give the pan a minute to cool down some because when you pour the contents in the will sizzle and steam.
• Add in peas and carrots then mix everything together. Slice a Serrano pepper down the middle then sat it in the pot.
• Cover then slowly cook for 20 minutes. When time is up remove from heat. Some of the tomato will be sitting on the top but simply fluff the rice then add it back in.
• Cover the rice again and allow the rice to sit 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Mexican Rice

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 170 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 4mg1%

Sodium 99mg4%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 5g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword mexican rice

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