Mexican Rice Recipe (Restaurant-Style)

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This Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice is the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal. The rice has the rich flavor and slightly dry texture just like the rice served in most Mexican restaurants. It is a family favorite and must-have any time we are making Mexican food.

Cooked Mexican Rice side dish in a bowl topped with a sprig of cilantro.

5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This is EXACTLY the rice I have been spending YEARS trying to figure out. Everything was absolutely perfect. Flavor, texture, color, all completely spot on! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! You really just upped my taco game!” – Elizabeth

“I am a Puerto Rican woman married to a hard core Mexican man. I’ve tried just about every recipe available for this rice and it never quite worked. I made this today and IT’S PERFECT!! This is the way my MIL makes it. It is as authentic as it can get! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the recipe I will make my family from now on.” – Patty

The Secret to Mexican Restaurant-Style Rice

If you’ve ever had that perfectly fluffy, slightly dry, and flavorful Mexican Rice at a restaurant and wondered how to make it at home, I’ve got you covered! This recipe comes straight from a dear family friend from Mexico. She’s one of those incredible cooks who just knows how much of everything to add without measuring. After a bit of trial and error, I finally nailed down the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

The secret to getting that perfect texture at home? Toasting the rice in oil before cooking it. Trust me, it makes all the difference! Now, anytime we make our Birria Tacos, Homemade Enchiladas, or Carne Asada Burritos, this authentic Mexican rice is a must-have on the side. It’s become a family favorite, and I can’t wait for you to try it too!

🩷 Emily

5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Secret to Mexican Restaurant-Style Rice
Key Ingredients
How to Make Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice
Common Mistakes and Quick Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
Pair It With a Mexican-Inspired Entree
Mexican Rice Recipe

Key Ingredients

Mexican Rice ingredients: long grain rice, chicken broth, tomato sauce, seasonings, garlic, olive oil and cilantro.

Long Grain White Rice – The best rice choice for achieving that dry flavored rice.
Vegetable Oil – Helps toast the rice to a golden brown for better flavor and texture. This is the most important part of getting Mexican Rice perfect. Avoid using olive oil, it can taste bitter when cooked at this high of temperature.
Chicken Broth – You can also use beef broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option. Chicken bullion with the same amount of water can also be used.
Tomato Sauce – Gives the rice that delicious tomato flavor. Tomato bouillon (caldo de tomate) can also be used. See the recipe notes for adaptation.
Fresh Cilantro – Adds a pop of color and freshness. Stir in at the end so it doesn’t wilt.

(full recipe with ingredient amounts in recipe card below)

How to Make Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

Golden rice with seasoning in a saucepan, the first step in making a homemade Mexican rice side dish.

Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the uncooked rice and stir frequently until it turns a light golden color. This step is essential for dry, fluffy, restaurant quality rice.

Garlic and seasoning added to golden cooked rice in a saucepan for Mexican rice.

Once the rice is toasted, stir in the garlic, salt, and cumin. Heat briefly until the garlic becomes fragrant. This allows the spice to bloom in the oil and evenly coat the rice.

Pouring chicken broth into sauce pan with golden rice and tomato sauce for making Mexican rice.

Carefully add the tomato sauce and chicken broth to the pan. Bring the mixture to a full boil. The liquid should fully cover the rice at this point.

Simmering rice in a pot for making a Mexican rice recipe.

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid or stirring while it cooks. This will release steam and affect the texture.

Cooked Mexican rice after it has been browned, seasoned, and simmered in a pot.

Remove the pan from the heat, but keep it covered. Allow the rice to rest 5-10 minutes. The resting time allows the rice to finish cooking evenly.

Mexican rice recipe step of sprinkling chopped cilantro on cooked Mexican rice.

Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving to add fresh flavor and color.

Wooden spoon with Mexican Rice held over a saucepan.

Common Mistakes and Quick Solutions

If your rice turns out mushy, sticky, or clumpy, don’t get discouraged! A lot of these common mistakes have simple solutions and can be solved in just a matter of minutes. Here are a few of the most common mistakes when making Mexican rice:

1. SKIPPING THE TOASTING STEP: I can’t emphasize this enough. Not toasting the rice before cooking results in sticky, unevenly cooked rice. Toasting the rice in a little bit of oil before cooking seals the starch in the rice. If skipped, rice will be sticky and clumpy.
Solution: Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the rice and stir constantly until the it’s a light, golden brown. This step coats the rice grains in oil keeping them separate and avoiding clumping. The hot oil also gives the rice a nuttier, richer texture and flavor.
2. USING THE WRONG SAUCEPAN: Thin pans heat unevenly and cause the rice to burn on the bottom before it finishes cooking.
Solution: Use a sturdy, heavy-bottom saucepan to heat the rice evenly and to keep the rice absorbing the liquid at the right pace.
3. LIFTING THE LID WHILE COOKING: Lifting the lid releases the steam built up in the pan which is essential for cooking the rice evenly.
Solution: Resist the urge to check on the rice until the cooking time is up. Peeking too early interferes with the steaming process and can result in dry, undercooked rice.
4. WET, CLUMPY RICE: Rice sticks together in large clumps and is soggy.
Solution: Uncover the rice and let it rest a few minutes before fluffing. When fluffing, use a fork. Don’t stir the rice with a spoon.
5. CRUNCHY RICE: Uncooked or unevenly cooked rice.
Solution: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of broth and add it to the rice. Cover the pan and steam for 5 more minutes.
6. NOT LETTING THE RICE REST: Skipping the resting step can result in uneven texture.
Solution: Once the rice is done cooking, remove it from heat and let it sit, still covered, for 5-10 minutes. This allows the steam to redistribute through the rice, giving it a fluffier texture. After few minutes you can fluff the rice with a fork and get it ready to serve.

Authentic Mexican Rice, restaurant style, being served with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rinse the rice before making Mexican Rice?

Rinsing rice removes excess starch and can help prevent clumping. For restaurant-style Mexican rice, rinsing is optional because toasting the rice seals in the starches and gives the rice a fluffy texture and nutty flavor with or without rinsing.

Can I add veggies to my Mexican Rice?

Yes, adding vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, or bell peppers can enhance the flavor and nutrition of your Mexican rice. Add these vegetables when you add the liquid to the rice so they can cook along with the rice.

What is the difference between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?

According to Mahatma rice, there are two distinct differences.

1. Seasonings: Spanish rice is seasoned with saffron which gives it a bright yellow color, as well as a sweeter flavor. Mexican rice is seasoned with cumin and tomato based ingredients giving it a more reddish orange color, and a spicier flavor.

2. Texture: The texture of Spanish rice is more moist and clumps together. Mexican rice is more dry and fluffy.

Can I make Mexican Rice in an Instant Pot?

Yes, Mexican rice can be made in an Instant Pot. For the best restaurant-style texture the rice still must be toasted before simmering. We have a great adaptation for Instant Pot Mexican Rice, perfect for when you’re short on time.

Is Mexican Rice gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe contains no gluten, I am celiac and this rice is a staple of mine.

How do restaurants get Mexican Rice so fluffy?

Restaurants toast the rice in oil before cooking, use the correct amount of liquid, simmer without stirring, and let the rice rest before fluffing with a fork. Following this recipe exactly will achieve that same restaurant quality rice.

Pair It With a Mexican-Inspired Entree

Steak Street Tacos

Hatch Chiles Rellenos

Homemade Enchiladas

Chicken Flautas

I hope this Mexican Rice recipe becomes a staple in your home like it has in mine. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and the perfect side dish for all your favorite Mexican meals. Give it a try and let me know in the comments how it turns out! 🇲🇽