Acapulco Mexican Restaurant's Rice

Bring the authentic taste of Mexico to your kitchen with Acapulco Mexican Restaurant's Rice, a vibrant and flavorful side dish that's perfect for pairing with all your favorite Mexican entrees. This classic recipe features tender long-grain white rice toasted to golden perfection, infused with a savory mix of tomato sauce, chicken broth, and aromatic spices like cumin and garlic. Colorful diced carrots and sweet peas add pops of flavor and texture, while a garnish of fresh cilantro gives it a final touch of brightness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy-to-make dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings, delivering a restaurant-quality experience in the comfort of your home. Whether you're serving it alongside enchiladas, tacos, or grilled chicken, this Mexican-style rice will quickly become a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup (finely diced) onion
• 2 cloves (minced) garlic
• 0.5 cup tomato sauce
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup (finely diced) carrot
• 0.25 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons (chopped, optional for garnish) fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is lightly golden and toasted.

Step 6

Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, ground cumin, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Add the finely diced carrot and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 8

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Step 9

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the frozen peas and cover the pan again for an additional 5 minutes to allow the peas to warm through and the rice to finish cooking.

Step 10

Remove the lid, fluff the rice once more, and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed.

Step 11

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve warm as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meals.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(953.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	669.8

Total Fat 29.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2225.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 86.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.1g	0%
Total Sugars 13.4g
Protein 16.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 142.4mg	0%
Iron 5.7mg	0%
Potassium 912.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.2%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 51.3%