Simple Mexican Rice
Transform your weeknight dinners with this flavorful and foolproof Simple Mexican Rice recipe. Perfectly spiced and irresistibly fluffy, this dish features golden-toasted long-grain white rice simmered in a savory blend of chicken broth, tomato sauce, garlic, and cumin. With just 10 minutes of prep and a total cook time under 30 minutes, this quick and easy side dish is the ideal companion to tacos, enchiladas, or grilled proteins. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a bright, zesty finish, or serve it as-is for a comforting, crowd-pleasing staple. Whether you're hosting a fiesta or sprucing up a meal at home, this simple yet authentic Mexican rice hits all the right notes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 0.5 cup tomato sauce
- 0.25 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
Add the rinsed rice to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes or until the rice is lightly golden and toasted.
Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, then stir to combine. Add the ground cumin and salt, mixing everything evenly.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
Simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid while cooking to ensure the rice steams properly.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. This helps the grains set and prevents clumping.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
146 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.8 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 672 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.1 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.7 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 28 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 237 mg | 5% | |
*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.
