Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Transform your kitchen into a Mexican restaurant with this irresistible Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice recipe! Featuring perfectly golden sautéed long-grain white rice, aromatic garlic and onion, and a zesty blend of tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, and vibrant peas and carrots, this dish delivers bold, authentic flavors in every bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, this side dish is the perfect complement to tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats. With its fluffy texture and rich, savory seasoning, this Mexican rice is a crowd-pleaser that’s as good as—or better than—your favorite takeout. Garnish with fresh cilantro for the perfect finishing touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 unit small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.75 cup frozen peas and carrots blend
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
In a large skillet or saucepan with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice develops a golden-brown color.
Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, and cumin. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
Allow the rice to simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This helps the rice cook evenly.
After 15 minutes, stir in the frozen peas and carrots blend. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your restaurant-style Mexican rice!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
981 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.1 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 25.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4762 mg | 207% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 130.0 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.8 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.0 g | ||
| Protein | 26.7 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 215 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1848 mg | 39% | |
*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.
