Description
Authentic Mexican Rice is a vibrant and flavorful side dish made with fluffy long-grain white rice, fresh tomato purée, and a blend of warm spices. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry staples to deliver a perfectly textured and aromatic rice that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, bringing a true taste of Mexican cuisine to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh tomatoes blended or natural tomato purée
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Variations
- ½ cup diced carrots, peas, or corn (for vegetable boost)
- 1 finely chopped jalapeño or pinch of cayenne (for spicier kick)
- Chopped parsley or green onions (as herb alternatives)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or chipotle powder (for smoky flavor)
Instructions
- Rinse and Toast the Rice: Rinse the rice under cool water until it runs clear to remove excess starch. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the drained rice and toast it, stirring frequently, until the rice turns a light golden color. This step ensures a fluffy texture.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until they soften and become fragrant to build a flavorful aromatic base.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Pour in the blended fresh tomatoes or natural tomato purée along with cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes to develop a rich sauce.
- Incorporate Broth and Cook: Stir in the vegetable broth, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the liquid and is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to ensure even steaming.
- Fluff and Garnish: Once cooked, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate grains. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro to finish the dish beautifully.
Notes
- Rinse the rice thoroughly to prevent clumping and achieve fluffy results.
- Use fresh tomatoes or natural tomato purée for the best brightness and natural sweetness.
- Toast the rice evenly by stirring constantly to avoid burning and promote a light golden color.
- Simmer the rice gently on low heat after adding broth to keep the grains separate and avoid mushiness.
- Let the rice rest covered off the heat for 5 minutes before serving to complete the steaming process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mexican rice, authentic Mexican rice, side dish, vegetarian rice, gluten free rice
