Description
This Easy Mexican Rice recipe is a flavorful and vibrant side dish perfect for any Mexican-inspired meal. Made with long-grain white rice, aromatic onions, garlic, bell peppers, and a blend of cumin and chili powder, this rice is cooked to fluffy perfection in savory vegetable or chicken broth. Garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, it’s an easy, colorful, and delicious addition to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy rice.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Bell Peppers: Stir in diced bell peppers and cook for another 2–3 minutes until just tender.
- Bloom the Spices: Add cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Add Rice & Liquid: Stir in the rinsed rice, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15–18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff & Finish: Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking is essential for fluffy, non-sticky rice.
- You can substitute bell pepper with other vegetables like corn or peas for variety.
- Chicken broth adds more depth of flavor, but vegetable broth works well for vegetarians.
- Adjust spices to your heat preference by increasing or decreasing chili powder.
- This dish pairs well with beans, grilled meats, or as a filling for burritos.
