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Authentic Restaurant Mexican Rice served with salsa and chips
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4.99 from 445 votes

Mexican Rice Recipe

Our Restaurant Style Mexican Rice rivals anything you can get in a restaurant. It has the perfect consistency and just the right amount of seasoning.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish
Keyword: Mexican Rice, Side, Side Dish
Servings: 6
Calories: 183kcal
Author: Emily Walker

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long grain rice uncooked
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 14 ounces chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the rice and gently stir until rice begins to lightly brown.
    Golden cooked rice in a saucepan, a step to making restaurant-style Mexican rice.
  • Add the garlic, salt, and cumin and stir the rice until it looks golden.
    Garlic and seasoning added to golden cooked rice in a saucepan for Mexican rice.
  • Add the tomato sauce and chicken broth and turn the heat up to medium high.
    Pouring chicken broth into sauce pan with golden rice and tomato sauce for making Mexican rice.
  • Bring the mix to a boil, then turn the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. 
    Simmering rice in a pot for making a Mexican rice recipe.
  • Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
    A recipe step visual of fluffing Mexican rice after it has simmered.
  • Stir in chopped cilantro.
    Mexican rice recipe step of sprinkling chopped cilantro on cooked Mexican rice.

Video

Notes

  • Use long-grain white rice – It stays fluffy and doesn’t clump thanks to its lower starch content.
  • Get it golden – Toast the rice until lightly browned before adding liquid. Sautéing adds a nutty flavor and keeps the grains separate as they cook. Stir constantly and use a tight-fitting lid for even cooking.
  • Cook on the stovetop – For best results, cook your rice on the stove. If using a rice cooker, toast and season the rice on the stovetop first, then transfer.
  • Instant Pot method - If you prefer cooking with an instant pot we have a great adaptation for Instant Pot Mexican Rice.
  • Add cilantro at the end – Stir in chopped cilantro just before serving to keep it fresh and green.
  • Freeze for later – Let cooked rice cool completely before freezing. Reheat gently on the stovetop after thawing overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg