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Home » Recipes » Mexican » How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice

How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice

Published on April 1, 2020, Updated July 1, 2020 by Kristin Maxwell | 675 Comments

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Learn how to make Authentic Mexican Rice! It’s a simple recipe, requires just a few ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Add it to your menu for Taco Tuesday or anytime Mexican food is on the menu.

Authentic Mexican Rice on a platter

This is the best Authentic Mexican Rice recipe that is so good and so easy, it is our go-to side dish for any Mexican dinner. We serve it alongside Refried Beans or Slow Cooker Mexican Beans and with our favorite meals, like Ground Beef Enchiladas, Chicken Tacos and Carne Asada.

The Best Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

By far, this is one of my favorite and most requested recipes to cook. We make it for any Mexican dish from taquitos, to tacos to burritos. It’s truly an authentic Mexican Rice recipe. You want to know why? Because it comes from an authentic Mexican kitchen that just so happens to belong to my cousin’s mother-in-law!

My cousin shared this recipe with me years ago and I’ve been making it almost weekly ever since. This authentic family recipe was passed down from her mother-in-law who had learned the recipe from her mother and grandmother. The ingredients are pretty simple – white rice, tomato sauce, garlic, chili powder, and Caldo de Tomate.

What is the Difference Between Mexican Rice and Spanish Rice?

Some people call this Spanish Rice, but Mexican Rice and Spanish Rice are actually not the same thing. While they do use some of the same ingredients, Spanish Rice uses saffron threads and has more of a yellow color.

Whether you call it Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice, you’ll always call it delicious!

What Spices to Add to Rice

White rice on its own has a pretty neutral flavor, so adding spices is key to adding big flavor. Add garlic, tomato bouillon and chili powder for restaurant-style Mexican rice, chicken broth onion and garlic for rice pilaf and saffron for Spanish Rice.

Long grain white rice toasting in a pan, a wooden spoon for mexican rice

tomato sauce in a skillet with a wooden spoon

How to Make Mexican Rice

  1. The first step is to brown the rice by cooking it with some vegetable oil over a fairly high heat. When the rice starts to turn bright white and then golden, you’re ready for the next step, which is basically just adding the rest of the ingredients – water, tomato sauce tomato bouillon, garlic and chili powder.
  2. Once it all comes to a boil, cover it up and turn down the heat. A clear lid is helpful here so you can see when the rice is done, but really 20 minutes is about all it takes. If after 20 minutes there’s still some liquid in the pan, just let it continue to cook until all of the water is absorbed and you can no longer see it bubbling to the top.
  3. Let it rest, covered, for several minutes, then fluff it up in the pan using a fork or wooden spoon, and you’re ready to serve. Sometimes I’ll add some frozen vegetables, like peas and carrots, or even chicken, like in my One Pot Mexican Chicken & Rice.

Top Tips and Tricks

  • Use a good quality nonstick saute pan for cooking your Mexican Rice. The rice never sticks, and it has higher sides so there’s no chance or and of the rice going overboard while stirring! Do not use stainless steel pans for cooking rice.
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid! Rice needs steam to cook and as it steams, the grains absorb the liquid which makes them plump and fluffy. Lifting the lid releases essential steam that is necessary to cooking rice perfectly.
  • About the tomato sauce – This recipe was recently updated to use a little less tomato sauce. The original calls for an 8 ounce can, but a lot of people commented that their Mexican Rice was a little too saucy. This can be a personal preference, and often depends on the cook, but you can use half of the can (4 ounces) and still have delicious, tomato-y restaurant-style Mexican Rice. Freeze the remainder of the sauce for using the next time you make the rice.
  • Can you freeze Mexican Rice? Absolutely! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-6 days or the freezer for up to 6 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Authentic restaurant style Mexican Rice, being fluffed in the pan with a spoon

Your Questions Answered

  • What can I use as a substitute for the Caldo de Tomate? I have been asked this many times so I thought it was important to address. Chicken bouillon would be a fine substitution, although it wouldn’t have the same tomato taste. You could also simply use chicken stock instead of water and leave the bouillon out completely. I definitely recommend Caldo de Tomate if you can easily get it because it will give the best, most authentic flavor to your restaurant-style Mexican Rice recipe.
  • My rice didn’t cook all the way through in the 20 minutes. What happened? Since each kitchen and stove is different, it’s hard to say what could have gone wrong. However, typically it’s just that the heat wasn’t high enough and the rice didn’t come to a full boil. Let it cook a little longer to absorb more of the liquid. Or, remove the lid, turn up the heat to medium and let any remaining liquid boil off. One of these solutions should work for most problems.
  • Is this really authentic? Each kitchen, family, and family tradition is different. Just like in the US there are about 18 different types of barbecue sauce depending on what part of the country you live in, the same goes for Mexico and authentic Mexican Rice recipes. Just because it isn’t the same as what your family cooks, doesn’t make it wrong or bad.
  • What kind of rice is best for Mexican Rice? This recipe calls for long grain white rice, which is the best for an Authentic Mexican Rice recipe. However, I have used Jasmine Rice in its place and it comes out fine. Brown rice can be used, but will require an additional 1/3 cup of water and about 10-20 minutes more cook time.

Authentic Mexican Rice recipe on a platter with a wooden spoon, a sprig of parsley

Recipes that use Mexican Rice

Even though it’s usually used as a side dish, Mexican Rice can be incorporated into a lot of different main dishes.

  • Burrito Bowls
  • Chicken Fajita Bowls
  • Taco Stuffed Peppers
  • Taco Salad
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup

More Mexican Recipes

Planning a fiesta of your own? Mexican food is what we live for around here and if you want some delicious authentic and Mexican recipes, you’ve got to try our Crock Pot Chicken Tacos, Crock Pot Carnitas, Baked Salsa Chicken and my famous homemade Guacamole! Or dip your chips in some sweet Mango Salsa. My husband swears by my Shrimp Ceviche and my kids rave about my Mexican Sopes. Don’t forget the Margaritas! Want Mexican food for breakfast? Try this amazing Chilaquiles recipe!

Authentic Mexican Rice

Kristin
The best Mexican rice that is fluffy and rich in flavor!
4.97 from 62 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 22 mins
Total Time 27 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings
Calories 160 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 cup dry long-grain white rice
  • 4 ounces canned tomato sauce or more if you like it more on the saucy side
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons Caldo de Tomate tomato bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic about 2 cloves

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a 5 quart saute pan over medium-high heat. Add rice. Cook rice, stirring constantly, for several minutes, until rice begins to turn a golden color.
  • Reduce heat to low to avoid spattering. Gently pour in warm water, then tomato sauce and stir. Stir in chili powder, Caldo de Tomate and minced garlic. Turn heat back up to medium-high, bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
  • Turn off heat, fluff rice then let sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Several people felt that the rice was a little too saucy for them. We have always used a full can (8 ounces) of tomato sauce but I have recently tested this recipe with just just half of a can. It still tastes amazing, just not as saucy (but still moist and fluffy). You can freeze the remainder of the sauce and use it the next time you make Mexican rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Mexican Rice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Authentic Mexican Rice - as close to restaurant taste as you can get!

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About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

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  1. Jeanne says

    March 3, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    I first made this Mexican rice for a 90th Birthday party. I had a large Taco bar and this recipe was a HUGE hit!
    I have made it numerous times since. It continues to be a favorite of all ages!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 4, 2021 at 9:42 am

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by Jeanne.

      Reply
  2. Philip says

    March 2, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    I used Goya tomato sauce. Not sure if that made a difference, but I’ll always use Goya tomato sauce now.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 3, 2021 at 8:01 am

      Thanks for stopping by Philip!

      Reply
  3. Philip says

    March 2, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    Wow !!! Best Spanish rice ever. Definitely 5 ⭐️
    Will make this again and again and again !

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 3, 2021 at 8:06 am

      Awesome feedback Philip! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  4. Erin says

    March 2, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    This looks so yummy. I’m wondering about using brown rice. What do you think? I don’t have any white rice and wondered about substituting???

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      March 2, 2021 at 8:02 pm

      I’ve had readers try brown rice with success, but I haven’t personally tried it. You will need to cook it longer – whatever time it gives on the package.

      Reply
  5. Kari Schloss says

    February 28, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    5* to be sure!!!

    He made this a Rice Cooker Recipe.
    He followed your directions, doubled. And pressed cook.

    It’s delicious. We have satued prawns soft tacos as the accompaniment. Also a Mexican recipe.

    Together. To die for!!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 1, 2021 at 9:12 am

      Nice! Thank you so much for your comment Kari.

      Reply
  6. Nicole Navarro says

    February 20, 2021 at 5:12 am

    I lovee this rice ive been making it for weeks now! I recently froze some and went to eat a week later and it came out very mushy after being reheated from frozen. How can i prevent this

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      February 22, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Before packaging the rice up to be frozen, make sure that it is completely cooled. Store in an airtight container, and thaw before reheating. Also, reheat on the stove if you can.

      Reply
  7. Karissa H says

    February 19, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    Love this recipe, I use chicken bouillon instead of the Calde de Tomate tomato bouillon, and I also about half a can of drained rotel diced tomatoes.
    I have tried both with 4 oz of tomatoes sauce and 8 oz. Of tomato sauce.
    I prefer the 8 oz it is a little saucier but if you add chicken in like i do, it helps to flavor that chicken as well.
    If you prefer less sauce I would definitely do the 4 oz. Still good an flavorful.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 21, 2021 at 10:22 am

      Fantastic feedback Karissa! Thank you so much for stopping by.

      Reply
  8. Robin says

    February 18, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    This is a very good recipe. I did not have Calde de Tomate so I just left it out. I used 2 cups of vegetable broth (because that’s what I had) instead of the water but otherwise I made the recipe exactly as written and it was easy and very tasty. I needed to add some salt (maybe the Calde de Tomate provides that in the recipe so just note that if you are not using it). I will definitely be making this on a regular basis!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 19, 2021 at 9:36 am

      Awesome feedback Robin! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  9. Cassie says

    February 16, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Love this recipe!! I use it almost every Taco Tuesday!!!! I wanted to be adventurous one time and used enchilada sauce instead of the tomato sauce and it was SOOO delicious!!! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!!!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 17, 2021 at 9:30 am

      You are so welcome Cassie! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  10. Linds says

    February 13, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    I just made this with a couple variations because I couldn’t find the tomato boullion and I am vegan. I used two teaspoons of tomato paste and then instead of just water I used No Chicken Broth. It turned out perfect!!! I absolutely love it. I will definitely make this over and over again.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 13, 2021 at 11:31 pm

      Nice! Awesome feedback Linds! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
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Hi, I’m KRISTIN!

I'm a busy wife and mom who loves to cook, bake and create. All of the recipes and tips you will find here are created with your busy family (and mine!) in mind.

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