Quick and Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Love Mexican cuisine but struggle with making perfect Mexican rice at home? Worry not, because we’ve got you covered. Mexican rice or “arroz rojo” is a staple dish in Mexican households and is served with most meals. It’s a combination of savory cooked rice, tomato sauce, and various spices. Although it sounds complicated, making Mexican rice is quite simple if you have the right ingredients and follow the right steps. In this article, we’ll take you through the easy steps to make delicious Mexican rice at home that’ll wow your taste buds and your guests.

First and foremost, it’s essential to choose the right rice variety when making Mexican rice. Long-grain rice is commonly used as it’s fluffy and doesn’t stick together. Secondly, using fresh tomato puree instead of canned will add an aromatic and rich flavor to the dish. Apart from that, spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika will enhance the savory and smoky flavors of the dish. Plus, using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water while cooking will make the dish more flavorful. Overall, Mexican rice is a simple and easy-to-make dish that’ll elevate your dinner table and satisfy your cravings for Mexican flavors.

Section 2: How to Make Easy Mexican Rice in Ten Simple Steps

Gather the Ingredients

The first thing you need to do is gather the ingredients. You will need one cup of white rice, two cups of chicken broth, one tablespoon of tomato paste, one tablespoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of ground cumin, and half a teaspoon of garlic powder. You can also add some chopped onion and diced tomatoes for added flavor.

Rinse the Rice

Before cooking the rice, it’s important to rinse it several times to remove any excess starch. This will ensure that your rice cooks evenly and doesn’t turn out gummy. Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold running water until the water runs clear.

Sauté the Rice

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the rinsed rice and sauté for a few minutes until it turns golden brown. This will give your rice a nutty flavor and help it absorb the other flavors in the dish.

Add the Tomato Paste

Once the rice is browned, stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute or so until the rice is coated in the paste. This will add a rich flavor and color to the rice.

Add the Broth and Spices

Pour in the chicken broth and add the salt, cumin, and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.

Cook the Rice

Let the rice simmer for around 20 to 25 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Don’t remove the lid while the rice cooks, as this will release the steam and prevent the rice from cooking properly.

Let the Rice Rest

Once the rice is done cooking, turn off the heat and let it rest for about five minutes with the lid still on. This will allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and become fluffy.

Fluff the Rice

Remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice. This will help break up any clumps and separate the grains.

Add the Onions and Tomatoes

If you’re using onions and tomatoes, now is the time to add them. Stir them in gently and let them heat through for a few minutes. This will add some color and extra flavor to the rice.

Serve and Enjoy!

Your easy Mexican rice is now ready to serve! It’s perfect as a side dish for tacos, enchiladas, or fajitas. Garnish it with some fresh cilantro or chopped green onions for an extra pop of flavor.

Section 2: Ingredients and Preparation

Gathering Your Ingredients

When it comes to making easy Mexican rice, having the right ingredients on hand is crucial. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup of long-grain white rice
• 1 ¾ cup of chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
• 1 medium-sized tomato, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A handful of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)

Prepping Your Ingredients

Once you have your ingredients, it’s time to start prepping. Begin by rinsing your rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This will help remove any excess starch and prevent your rice from sticking together.

Next, chop your onion, tomato, and garlic into small pieces. If you like a little heat, you can also add some diced jalapeño or serrano pepper to the mix.

Now, it’s time to heat up your skillet or Dutch oven. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pot and wait until it’s heated up before adding in your chopped onions. Sauté the onions until they’re softened and translucent, then add in your garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Adding Your Rice and Liquid

Once your onions and garlic are cooked, it’s time to add your rice. Add the rinsed rice into the pot and stir well to coat it in the onion and garlic mixture.

Next, add your chicken or vegetable broth (or water), along with your chopped tomatoes, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together and bring your mixture to a boil.

As soon as the mixture begins boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the rice simmer on low heat for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

Fluffing and Serving Your Rice

After the rice has finished cooking, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the steam to escape. Once your rice has cooled a bit, use a fork to fluff it up and mix in your freshly chopped cilantro (if using).

Easy Mexican rice is perfect on its own or as a side to your favorite Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos, or fajitas. With this recipe, you’ll have a delicious and hassle-free rice dish in no time!

Ingredients You Need

Making Mexican Rice is an easy process and one that rewards you with a delicious side dish to your meal. All you will need for your recipe are the following ingredients:

Choosing the right rice

The first and most important thing that you have to do is to choose the right rice. Use long-grain rice as it doesn’t turn sticky and it perfectly suits Mexican rice recipes. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear to remove the excess starch and prevent the rice from turning mushy or sticky.

The right utensils

Mexican rice is traditionally cooked in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, so you can choose whichever utensil that you are comfortable with. Cast iron utensils offer the benefit of even heat distribution, which is key to making Mexican rice that is evenly cooked.

Preparation before cooking

To prepare, heat vegetable oil in the skillet and sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion until they are soft and fragrant. Then, add the rinsed rice and stir for 5-7 minutes until the rice starts to brown slightly.

Addition of sauce and broth

Next, add tomato sauce and chicken broth, stirring well to incorporate all the ingredients evenly. A quick tip, you can also add chopped peppers to the mix at this stage for extra flavor, but that is entirely optional. The addition of broth and tomato sauce adds moisture to the rice and contributes to the overall flavor.

Final touch and cooking

Season the rice with salt to taste and then cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Turn down the heat to low and let the rice simmer for 20-25 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

You can also check that the rice is cooked by fluffing it up with a fork. Serve the rice hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of a traditional Mexican rice dish.

Ciao for Now!

And there you have it, amigos! A simple recipe for delicious and authentic Mexican rice that everyone can enjoy. So next time you’re in the mood for a fiesta at home, why not give this one a try? But before you go, we just wanted to say thanks for stopping by and reading our article. We hope you found it helpful and inspiring. If you did, be sure to come back again for more helpful tips and fun articles. Until then, adiós and happy cooking!