This Mexican Rice recipe is the perfect Tex-Mex style side dish made easy in the rice cooker, on the stove top, or in the Instant Pot. Made with fresh tomatoes and warm spices.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
When it comes to side dishes, rice is an easy pick. It’s quick to make, it’s budget-friendly, it’s gluten-free, and it’s super versatile. We love making rice to bulk up our weeknight family meals, and this Mexican Rice is a recipe that we’ve been making on repeat for months. It’s THE Mexican dish for serving with chicken or beef fajitas, grilled chicken, tacos or burritos, and it’s the perfect addition to burrito bowls. Trust us, you’re going to love this easy Mexican Rice recipe!
Mexican rice, sometimes called Spanish rice, is a popular side dish in Tex-Mex cooking that is aromatic and very tasty. It’s usually prepared by browning long-grain rice in oil and then cooking it with various herbs and spices, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. The end product is a rice dish that is savoury and slightly acidic, with a strong tomato flavour. It’s great for serving alongside other Mexican-style dishes and adding into your favourite burritos as a filling.
There are SO many reasons we love this Mexican Rice. Here are just a few!
- It’s BUDGET-FRIENDLY. Rice is cheap, especially when you buy it in bulk, and tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro are easy to find and easy on the budget, too.
- It’s QUICK to make. It comes together in under 30 minutes and if you have a rice cooker, it might even cook faster than that!
- It’s EASY to make – no special steps or a ton of chopping required. Just dump most of the ingredients in a the blender, then in a pot, cook, and finish off with a little chopped cilantro and lime juice – easy peasy.
- It only calls for a few INGREDIENTS, along with a few pantry staples. We love making this recipe because we almost always have the ingredients on hand.
- It’s VERSATILE. Make it in the rice cooker, on the stove, or even in the Instant Pot – the choice is yours!
- It’s easy to MAKE AHEAD. We love making a big batch and keeping it in the fridge to bulk up our meals throughout the week.
Here’s what we recommend serving with this Mexican Rice:
- It makes a great side dish served with these Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas, your favourite chicken enchiladas, Chicken fajitas, or Steak fajitas.
- We love a scoop of Mexican Rice with a serving of pulled pork or carne asada and refried beans.
- It’s the perfect addition to bean burritos, beef tacos, or taquitos.
- Add some black beans and corn, serve it with grilled chicken and top it with some homemade salsa, mango salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole or quick pickled onions for a delicious burrito bowl.
- Serve it with our favourite Baked Salsa Chicken or some beef enchiladas.
Here’s how to make the BEST Mexican rice!
Canned tomatoes will work in this recipe but fresh tomatoes will give you a far superior flavour. Choose fresh, ripe tomatoes for best results.
Rinsing the rice before cooking removes some of the starch which helps the rice grains stay separate when cooked. It helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy and clumping together.
Tomato paste adds SO much flavour to this Mexican rice recipe – don’t skip it.
Don’t skip the salt and cumin. It adds a slightly smoky flavour to this rice that makes it absolutely delicious. If you’re not a fan of cumin, substitute some mild chili powder.
Make sure you turn off the heat when the rice is done and you don’t over-cook it. Over-cooking can cause the rice to become mushy.
Cook your rice until it’s soft and fluffy and make sure to leave the lid on, as every time you pick it up you loose moisture.
Here’s the basic kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this easy Mexican rice recipe (paid links):
- a Rice Cooker or a medium saucepan or pot
- measuring cups and spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Blender
- Garlic press
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 onion ½ in blender ½ in pan
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 jalapeño optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Want to take this Mexican Rice to the next level? Try one of these delicious variations!
- Instant Pot: Use the rice setting on your instant pot to make Instant Pot Mexican Rice instead of in the rice cooker or on the stove top.
- Pantry Staple: use a can of Roma tomatoes or diced tomato instead of the fresh tomatoes if you want to make this recipe without fresh veggies. However, the tanginess and freshness of this dish comes from the fresh tomatoes.
- Spicy: Introduce some heat by sautéing diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers with onions before adding the rice to cook.
- Protein-Packed: For a heartier side dish, fold in cooked black beans after the rice is done. These proteins make the dish more substantial, turning it into a main course rather than a side.
- Veggies and Corn: Add some sautéed bell peppers, onions, and corn kernels to the rice mix for a sweet flavour and added nutrients. For even more veggies, add some finely chopped carrots and even peas.
- Cheese: Stir in a generous amount of crumbled Cotija or feta cheese just before serving for a creamy and salty finish to this side dish.
How to make Mexican Rice?
Time needed: 20 minutes
Follow these steps
- Rinse the rice.
Rinse the rice well and set it to a side.
- Blend the tomatoes.
Dice half the onion and add the other half to your blender along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, half your garlic cloves, stock, salt, and cumin.
- Sauté the onions and garlic.
To your pot (or rice cooker), add the olive oil and heat it up over medium heat. Sauté the half onion (diced) and the remainder of your garlic cloves (pressed), along with a sliced jalapeño (if using) until they are fragrant and the onions become translucent.
- Sauté the rice.
Add the rinsed rice and sauté until there’s a nutty smell and the rice starts turning light brown.
- Add the tomato mixture.
Pour the tomato mixture from your blender in the pot and bring to a boil, covered.
- Let the rice simmer.
Once your rice boils rapidly, turn the heat to medium low and let the rice simmer for about 10-15 minutes, covered. The time will depend on the heat of your stove and the depth and width of your pot. The rice is done when the rice appears a bit dry on top and no visible sauce remains.
- OR, use your rice cooker.
Alternatively, set the rice cooker to cook mode and let the rice cook. This should take about 15 minutes, but the time will depend on your rice cooker.
- Let the rice rest, then fluff with a fork.
Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for about 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, optionally mixing some chopped cilantro and lime juice throughout.
- Serve and enjoy.
Serve as a side dish or as a filling for your favourite burritos or fajitas.
Can I use onion powder instead of fresh onions in Mexican rice?
We recommend using fresh onions in this recipe as it adds much more flavour and texture.
Can I use tomato sauce instead of tomato paste in Mexican rice?
Tomato paste is highly concentrated and adds a lot more flavour than tomato sauce does, so we don’t recommend making this swap.
What kind of rice should I use to make Mexican rice?
We recommend using long grain white rice like jasmine rice or basmati rice to make this recipe.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in Mexican rice?
We recommend using fresh garlic in this recipe as it adds more flavour, but if all you have on hand is garlic powder feel free to use that instead, as the recipe will still work.
Is Mexican rice gluten free?
Yes, since rice contains no gluten it’s a gluten-free recipe.
Why is my Mexican rice mushy?
If it’s over-cooked, Mexican rice will become mushy. Be sure to check for doneness and stop it from cooking according to the recipe directions.
Can I freeze Mexican rice?
Yes, it’s possible to freeze this recipe after it’s cooked and cooled, but for best results we recommend enjoying it after it’s made.
We hope you love this delicious and easy Mexican rice recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite side dish? We’d love to know!
More Easy Recipes
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Fresh Pineapple Salsa
- Mexican-Style Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- One Pot Taco Spaghetti
- Cajun Shrimp in One Pan
- Easy Homemade Mexican Enchilada Sauce
- Mexican Tortilla Soup
- Easy Baked Salsa Chicken and Rice
- Easy Classic Taco Salad
- Mango Salsa
- Easy Restaurant Style Salsa
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Mexican Rice
Recipe: Equipment
- Rice Cooker optional
Recipe: Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 onion ½ in blender ½ in pan
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 jalapeño optional
To serve:
- chopped cilantro optional
- 1 tablespoon lime juice optional
Recipe: Instructions
- Rinse the rice using a sieve until the water runs clear and set it to the side.
- Dice half the onion and add the other half to your blender along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, half your garlic cloves, stock, salt, and cumin. Blend well!
- To your pot (or rice cooker), add the olive oil and heat it up. Sauté the half onion (diced) and the remainder of your garlic cloves (pressed) along with a sliced jalapeño (if using) until they are fragrant and the onions become translucent.
- Add the rinsed rice and sauté until there's a nutty smell and the rice starts turning light brown slightly.
- Pour the tomato mixture from your blender in the pot and bring to a boil, covered.
- Once your rice boils rapidly, turn the heat to medium low and let the rice cook, covered, for about 10-15 minutes. The time will depend on the heat of your stove and the depth and width of your pot. The rice is done when the rice appears a bit dry on top and no visible sauce remains.
- Alternatively, set the rice cooker to cook mode and let the rice cook. This should take about 15 minutes, but the time will depend on your rice cooker.
- Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for about 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, optionally mixing some chopped cilantro and lime juice throughout.
- Serve as a side dish or as a filling for your favourite burritos, fajitas, or wraps.
Recipe: Notes
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave when you’re ready to serve.Make-Ahead Instructions
This rice is best enjoyed right after it’s made, but it can be made, cooled, and stored in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to reheat and serve.Freezer Instructions
Freeze this rice in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then reheat and serve.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.