Description
This Easy Mexican Rice recipe offers a flavorful and vibrant side dish perfect for any Mexican-inspired meal. Made with long-grain white rice toasted to a golden perfection, simmered in a savory tomato broth seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, and finished with fresh cilantro and optional peas for added color and texture. A simple stovetop recipe that delivers comforting, aromatic rice in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Seasoning
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Toast the rice: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the long-grain white rice and stir continuously for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice turns a light golden color, which enhances its nutty flavor.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the toasted rice. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the mixture is fragrant.
- Add liquids and spices: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and tomato sauce. Stir in cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the rice: Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let the rice simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Add peas: If using frozen peas, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking to cook through without losing their bright color and texture.
- Rest the rice: Remove skillet from heat and keep it covered. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes to finish steaming, which ensures a fluffy texture.
- Finish and serve: Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro for brightness. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- To add extra flavor, consider adding a small diced jalapeño with the onions.
- Adjust chili powder amount according to your spice preference.
- Stir the rice gently after cooking to prevent mashing the grains.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of water to restore moisture.
