Mexican rice is one of the tastiest and most popular Mexican side dishes.
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It is usually served with frijoles de la olla or refried beans.
This is the way my mom made it. There are many variations and can even vary from family to family!
You might also hear it referred to as “Spanish Rice” or “Red Rice.”
Super yummy and goes great with just about any Mexican recipe.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Let’s talk about swap out options.
We are making tomato sauce from scratch. OR, use ½ can of tomato sauce (or 4 oz tomato sauce) and an additional ½ cup more of water.
Only use whole cumin. You can’t use ground cumin, or it will change the color of the rice.
Instead of water, use vegetable stock or chicken broth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which rice is best for Spanish rice?
Long grain white rice is best. It’s not as sticky and turns out fluffy.
Can you make Spanish rice with brown rice instead?
Yes. You can use brown rice instead, but you will need to add ⅓ c more water. Also let it simmer a few extra minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed.
What is the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?
They are basically the same thing. Mexican restaurants use either term. However, rice in Spain gets its color and flavor from saffron, while Mexican rice gets its color from the tomato and cumin.
Which toppings ingredients can you add to the rice?
Just about anything you like. Cilantro. Green Onions. Queso fresco. I had a cousin who used to add banana slices to his rice. To each their own.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, chicken bouillon, and 1 cup water in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Homemade tomato sauce gives the rice an orange-y color and mild tomato flavor. Not deep red.
To Get REALLY Red Rice: Simply add 1 tablespoon tomato bouillon to give it a redder look and more intense tomato flavor. This is optional and up to you.
To Use Chicken Broth: Omit the water and bouillon, and add 1 cup chicken broth + ½ tablespoon salt.
- Heat oil.
- Add rice.
- Toast well, stirring constantly.
- Add onion 1 minute before rice is ready.
Toasting rice or pasta is very common in Mexican cuisine. It’s also done when making Arroz Blanco, or Mexican White Rice.
Be Careful!
Don’t go anywhere. Stir and stir some more. The rice burns easily.
Double check the heat level to be at medium.
Look for a golden brown color in the rice. Then, proceed to the next step.
- Add garlic, cumin, bouillon, tomato sauce, and water.
- Stir to combine.
Another great addition is to veggies like diced carrots, peas, or corn.
For fresh veggies: Add them at this point in the cooking.
For frozen veggies: Add them at the very end when the rice is resting.
Make it a complete meal by adding shrimp as in Arroz con Camarones.
- Cover the pot.
- Cook for 12 minutes on medium.
Again, you can use chicken broth instead of water. Simply omit the bouillon and water for 1 ½ cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon salt.
After 12 minutes, turn OFF the stove.
Rest is best! Let it rest COVERED for 5 minutes.
Take the lid off. You’ll see that the tomato sauce will have come to the top and the rice should be fully cooked.
Rice not ready? If it’s ALMOST ready but not quite, add a splash of water. Then cover again for an EXTRA 5 minutes.
Don’t add more than 2 tbsps water, or the rice will be mushy.
Using a cooking spoon, gently stir the rice to mix with the tomato sauce that came up to the top.
Serve immediately. Store in an airtight container.
How to Reheat:
Place the rice in a microwavable plate and cover with a wet paper towel.
Microwave for 1 ½ to 2 minutes on high, depending on the amount being reheating.
Arroz Mexicano, or Mexican rice, is one of those timeless dishes you want to make over and over again.
It goes great in California Burritos, next to picadillo, or add a spoonful to your bowl the next time you make Caldo de Pollo.
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Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
Arroz Mexicano (Mexican Rice)
Ingredients
To Make the Tomato Sauce:
- 2 tomatoes quartered
- ¼ onion quartered
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
To Make the Rice:
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- ¼ onion finely diced
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- pinch whole cumin
- 1 ½ cups water
Instructions
To Make the Tomato Sauce:
- Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, water, and bouillon to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Set aside until ready to use.
To Make the Rice:
- Heat oil in a large stock pot.
- Add the rice.
- Stir constantly until it begins to toast. About 5 minutes.
- 4 minutes after, add the onion.
- Do not stop stirring, or the rice will burn.
- Look for a golden color in the rice.
- Add the garlic, bouillon, cumin, water, and tomato sauce.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook for 12 minutes on medium heat.
- Turn the heat off.
- Let rest for 5 minutes with the lid still on.
- The tomato sauce will have come to the top.
- Uncover and mix to combine.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.
Hello, I haven’t made the rice yet because I was wondering if you rinse the rice first. I really like want to try this recipe.
I don’t rinse the rice. Some people do to rinse off excess starch and rinse any dust. It’s totally up to you.
I made this recipe 😋 and it tastes just how my grandmother use to make it. She was my world. Thanks Mama Maggie.
So glad you liked this recipe!
How much do u add if u use canned tomato sauce
I left it in the recipe notes section. 🙂 To use canned tomato sauce, only use 4 oz + 1/2 more water.
Am I doing it wrong? Everytime I make it, it’s always burnt on the bottom. Should I lower the heat?
Arroz can sometimes be tricky to get just right. If your rice is constantly burning on the bottom, try lowering the heat and make sure you are using enough liquid when cooking the rice.
If you see that the rice keeps burning, you may want to consider using a different pot, if you are using a thin-bottomed pot, it may be more likely to overheat the bottom and the rice will cook more on that part than from the top. Remember that different stoves and pots may require some adjustments, so it may take a little trial and error to find the way to make your perfect Rice. Don’t give up and keep experimenting until you get the results you want. Good Luck with your Arroz Mexicano. 😉
Tried this recipe today and followed the recipe exactly, but my rice came out mushy.
Sorry to hear that, it can be frustrating. Remember that the procedure may vary depending on the type of rice grain, I also recommend you make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the package of rice you are using. Different brands and varieties may have different cooking times and amount of water needed. With this in mind, I suggest you experiment with the amount of water and avoid stirring it once it is cooking with the pot covered.
I hope you find these tips helpful. Don’t give up making This Arroz Mexicano, it is a delicious dish.
My husband has complained about mexican rice being too mushy our entire married life. Says his memory growing up was long grain fluffy, flavorful rice. Can’t wait to surprise him with this one.
The key to get that delicious texture of the classic Arroz Mexicano is to cook it with just the right amount of water and don’t remove the lid while cooking. Let me know how it turns out!
I made this rice recipe to go with homemade beef enchiladas tonight. I always use ground cumin, and it came out delicious and was a great accompaniment. Thank you!
I’m glad you liked this recipe, enjoy!
Just like my mom’s, so delicious!! Thank you for the recipe!
It warms my heart each time I get comments like this. Glad you enjoyed the arroz mexicano.
Did not mention measurements in recipe to general
All the ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe.
Making rice is a hit or miss with me. More than a cup of rice is disaster! I made rice one time, and one time only, for a gathering. I heard a guest say “parece gelatina”!! 😂 (I think I spelled that correctly.) Your recipe seems fairly easy. I’ll give it a try. Thank you.
Try this recipe. You won’t regret it. Remember to let it rest after it is cooked. Lid on. Then mix it. Good luck!
This Mexican rice is so easy to make and delicious
That’s great! So glad you liked it.
Oh I love it!! So quick and easy to make and tastes so good!
Indeed. Glad you loved it. 🙂
This looks so good and easy to make!
Yes. This is my favorite side dish. 🙂
Now I can have rice just like my favorite Mexican restaurant!
Yes! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I’ve always added cumin to my Mexican rice like my mother did. It adds so much flavor! None of the Mexican restaurants I go to add cumin to their rice and I find it quite bland. I’m going to try your method of letting the rice rest. I normally cook only one cup of rice for 20 minutes, but when I’ve doubled the recipe the rice is not fully cooked at the end of twenty minutes, yet all of the liquid is gone.
That’s the trick to making good Arroz Mexicano, let it rest. You can’t rush this recipe. Also, in regards to restaurant rice, everyone has their own version. This is my version. The way I learned it. 🙂
This is an excellent authentic recipe! Will save it for sure!
Yes, it is! Hope you enjoy it.
I tried this rice in the weekend and my husband loved it! Will be definitely doing it again for my family!
So happy your husband liked it!
This was the perfect side for taco night – thanks!
yes! It’s taco night every night at my house. lol.
This is such a versatile dish! The rice came out perfect, so fluffy and so delicious! Great side dish, but equally delicious on its own!
So happy you liked this recipe!
I’m seriously craving it right now! Super side dish!
Yes it is! 🙂 Thank you for your comment.
I recently became vegan so I’ve had to learn how to cook since rest of familia isn’t. I’ve tried many recipes and this is by far the best Mexican rice I’ve made! Thank you!
Your comment made my day. Thank you!
What a great flavor. Loved it!
That is awesome to hear. Thank you!
hello, maggie! not sure if you will read this but I did your recipe today and my kids loved it!! I have been trying to make rice and it just wouldn’t come outright. I kept telling myself I just can’t do this meal. My mom, aunt, grandmother tried to help me and I would burn it or overwater it or under. LOL, so today I saw your post and said the heck with it why not try alone. AND IT CAME OUT PERFECT!! I will definitely try your other recipes. Thank you!
You just made my day. I’m SO glad you and your kids liked it!