Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe

This easy Mexican Rice Recipe is a family favorite, toasted extra long grain white rice simmered in a blend of chicken broth, tomato sauce, and spices. Perfect served with tacos, enchiladas and refried beans, of course! 

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is so different from plain rice! Toasting the rice in plenty of oil is an important step and should not be skipped or rushed. The rice will toast at a fairly high heat and this keeps it from being overly starchy or mushy. Because the heat is so high, I use garlic powder rather than fresh garlic in this recipe. The minced garlic burns very quickly in a hot pan.

Good Mexican rice is flavorful and moist. Make sure you use extra long grain rice for this recipe as other types of rice will require different ratios.

Mexican Rice Recipe

This Mexican Rice Recipe is one I’ve spent years adjusting. Before Pinterest and food blogs were common, this was not the kind of recipe you could find anywhere. It’s not classic or gourmet so it wasn’t in most cookbooks, and if it was, it was not the kind of homestyle Mexican rice I was looking for – the kind that’s served in our local Mexican restaurants. It’s the kind of recipe that is rarely written down, so when I was newly married I had so many trial and errors trying to get it right.

I’ve also perfected an Instant Pot version which you can find here: Instant Pot Mexican Rice

How to Make Mexican Rice

1. Toast the rice in vegetable oil before adding the chicken broth.
2. Add low-sodium chicken broth and canned tomato sauce and spices.
3. Bring to a boil then cook covered on low heat for 20 minutes. The rice will cook for 20 minutes regardless of the recipe being halved or doubled.
4.  Once rice has finished cooking, the chicken broth will have absorbed and some of the tomato sauce may have settled on top of the rice. Use a fork to lightly fluff the rice and combine it with the sauce.

The liquid ratios are the most important factor in Mexican rice. The ratio is 2 1/2 cups of liquid (chicken broth and tomato sauce) to 1 cup of rice. You can increase or decrease the ratio as needed to halve the recipe or increase the recipe. I always make it with two cups of rice and use the leftovers for later in the week. It’s especially good in burritos or chimichangas.

More Mexican Recipes

• Ground Beef Enchiladas
• Slow Cooker Refried Beans
• Frozen Margaritas
• Homemade Salsa 
• Baked Tortilla Chips

5 from 6 votes

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Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe that is perfect with tacos, enchiladas or any dinner! 

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Mexican Food, Mexican Rice, Mexican Rice Recipe

Servings: 8

Calories: 254 kcal

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups extra long grain rice
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

1. In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add rice and stir until grains are a light golden brown. 

2. Add chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and spices and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Let rice cook on low for 20 minutes. Uncover and lightly fluff with fork.  

Nutrition Facts

Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 254 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Sodium 478mg21%

Potassium 249mg7%

Carbohydrates 40g13%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 172IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 21mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

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