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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.
This is the best Mexican Rice recipe that is so good and so easy, it is our go-to side dish for any Mexican dinner. We serve this rice dish alongside Refried Beans or Slow Cooker Mexican Beans, Mexican Black Beans and with our favorite meals, like Ground Beef Enchiladas, Chicken Tacos, Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas and Carne Asada.
Pin this recipe for later!Table of Contents
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.
For me, this recipe is the closest to what you typically find in Mexican restaurants. While it might not feel “authentic” to some, it certainly is to us!
Ingredients
- Oil – I have used vegetable, canola, corn or olive oil. Other oils that you prefer can be used as long as they have a high smoke point.
- Long grain white rice – I have used Jasmine rice without issues, but don’t recommend a short grain because it can be too starchy. Brown rice works – see the FAQs section for tips.
- Tomato sauce – Depending on how saucy you like your rice, use anywhere from 4-8 ounces.
- Caldo de Tomate – This is a tomato bouillon that can be found in the Mexican aisle or with the dry soup mixes. If you can’t find it or don’t want to purchase it, you can omit or use chicken bouillon instead.
- Water – Substitute low-sodium chicken broth if you prefer, especially if you omit the caldo de tomate.
How to Make Mexican Rice
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Brown the Rice. The first step is to brown the rice by cooking it in a deep skillet or a large saucepan 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.
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 you can no longer see liquid bubbling to the top.
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 veggies, like peas and carrots, or even chicken, like in my One Pot Mexican Chicken & Rice. For a garnish, chop up some fresh cilantro or parsley and sprinkle it on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, Traditional 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!
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.
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.
Keep in mind that you may need to add salt if you skip the bouillon. I highly recommend just doing a taste test once the rice is fully cooked, and adding the salt then if needed.
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.
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.
This recipe calls for basic 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 great. Basmati rice is typically used in Indian dishes, but will also work well. Brown rice can be used, but will require an additional ⅓ cup of water and about 10-20 minutes more cook time.
Yes! You can definitely double the recipe. You want to make sure that your pot is plenty big – A 5-quart should be fine. Double the ingredients, prepared the same way, but do not double the time. Your rice should still be ready in about 20 minutes.
Storage
Can you freeze Mexican Rice? Absolutely! Store leftover cooked rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-6 days or the freezer for up to 6 months.
Refrigerating – Let the rice cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating – Thaw first, then Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or chicken stock to rehydrate if needed.
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 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 this recipe.
- Vegetables – Feel free to add some cooked veggies, like peas and carrots, when you add the water. This is best with frozen vegetables rather than fresh, which will overcook and turn mushy.
- Add a chopped up Roma tomato before serving for more color and freshness.
- Serrano Peppers – Chopped serrano peppers can add some extra flavor without adding too much heat. Sprinkle on top just before covering the pan.
- Long-Grain Rice – You can use any long grain white rice. I have been using Jasmine rice for years and we actually prefer it to a regular white rice.
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.
More Mexican Recipes
Planning a fiesta of your own? Mexican food is what we live for around here! If you want some delicious Mexican inspired 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.
Or if you’re wanting some other side dish options, we love Black Beans and Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.
Want Mexican food for breakfast? Try this amazing Chilaquiles recipe! Just don’t forget the Margaritas!
Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup Long-grain white rice
- 4-8 ounces Canned tomato sauce Use at least 4 or up to 8 ounces of tomato sauce
- 2 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Minced garlic about 2 cloves
- 2 teaspoons Caldo de Tomate tomato bouillon
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
Instructions
- Heat oil in a 3-quart saute pan over medium heat. Add rice and stir to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes, until rice begins to turn a golden color.
- Add chili powder, Caldo de Tomate (tomato boullion), and minced garlic. Stir to combine.
- Pour in water and tomato sauce and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve.
Notes
- About the Tomato Sauce – You can use 4 ounces (¼ cup) tomato sauce, or up to 8 ounce (½ cup) if you like it saucier. If you have leftover sauce, freeze for the next time.
- Rinsing the rice is not necessary, which is why it’s not included in the recipe. However, you are welcome to do so.
- Feel free to add cooked veggies like peas and carrots before covering and cooking the rice.
Best homemade mexican rice I’ve tried! Was worried about it being too saucy, so cut down a bit on the liquid. Used 8 oz. tomato sauce and enough water to make 2 cups total. Was almost not enough liquid, next time will add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more liquid to test. Still came out edible, and the taste was amazing. Thanks!
Hi Julie, you definitely need a full 2 cups of water. The tomato sauce isn’t part of the liquid to rice ratio. Glad you liked it though!
I’m doing a Mexican feast for my daughter’s graduation. I plan to serve about 100 people. Can you help me with a recipe? Or should I make it in small amounts?
Hi, I’ve never had to make that much rice, so I’m not sure how to increase to that many servings. I’ve tripled the recipe in a large pot but not more than that. It would serve about 15-20. There are recipes you can google to bake it, that might be your best option for a larger batch.
So easy and it turned out perfectly! Big hit with my family! Thank you!!
You are so welcome Sara! Thanks for stopping by.
Is it okay to use the larger pan?
Yes you can use a larger pan.
I substituted the tomato ingredients with homemade tomato salsa, used half amount of chicken stock. Sauted onions and garlic while pre-browning rice. Added diced carrots and peas. Topped with cheese and fresh cilantro. Ate it with black bean and corn salsa so good.
Can you use brown rice? Or wild rice?
Yes you can use brown rice. Just adjust your time according to the package instructions. I don’t know about wild rice because I’ve never tried that.
This was WAY too much liquid! The flavor was great though. I followed the recipe (doubled) to the “letter” too. The rice was not fluffy but soggy. I will make it again bit try less water.
Hi Amy, if you doubled the recipe you didn’t follow it to the letter. There is also a section in the post that talks about what to do if your rice didn’t cook through in 20 minutes. But honestly, I don’t talk about doubling in my post or in the recipe card I still need to do some testing on doubling the recipe, because I haven’t perfected it yet. I have double the recipe as is, using 8 ounces of tomato sauce, and the rice was fluffy, a little on the moist side, but definitely not liquidy. Because rice steams and absorbs only some of the water, doubling everything isn’t necessary. So, when you double a recipe, there are a lot of things you need to consider and it won’t always work like the recipe intended.
Hi Kristin
May I substitute the water for chicken broth?
Thank you
Yes you absolutely can. If using chicken broth, I’d recommend cutting the tomato bouillon by half, so it’s not too salty, or use a salt free broth.
I made this tonight to go with fajitas. I had everything except tomato bouillon, so used Better than Bouillon chicken. I opted for using a whole 8oz can of tomato sauce and once it was done cooking, it was perfect. In fact, I think this tastes better than the standard rice served as a side at most Mexican restaurants I’ve gone to.
This was amazing and easy! Followed the recipe exactly as written, I used the handy double (2X) tab provided and there were no leftovers! My family loved it!
I don’t have any tomato bullion so I’m wondering if a small amount of tomato paste would add that depth of flavor that the bullion creates.
Yes you could add that!
Not sure if it is a Pinterest controlled thing or a user controlled thing, but there is a quick view of the required ingredients that you can get without actually clicking on the pin for the recipe. It does NOT have the tomato sauce listed as an ingredient. A lot of times when I’m making my shopping list online, I look at the quick list to avoid all the annoying adds that pop up when I’m trying to find out what I need. Tomato sauce was not listed so I didn’t buy it and so I can’t make this for my fajitas tonight without another trip to the store just for the tomato sauce. Very annoyed.
Hi Beth, guessing that’s either a Pinterest glitch or you missed it when you first looked at it, because that recipe has always included tomato sauce. It’s always best to click over to the site and spend the few seconds it takes to scroll past the annoying ads to read the actual recipe. I spend a lot of time testing recipes and writing out all of the information that you might need to have a great experience with my (free) recipes. When you don’t click through and just count on third party sites, you don’t get the benefits of countless hours of testing plus tips for success. The ads provide the income necessary to keeps my site running so I can continue providing these recipes to you (for free).
Made this for the first time tonight and I really liked it 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome Denisse! Thanks for stopping by.
How do you keep it warm gor a party?
You could keep it on the warm setting in a slow cooker.
Great recipe! I added onions and instead of the caldo tomate I used vegetable”better than bouillon”. I didn’t know the other one had chicken in it and we’re vegetarian. I used 8 oz of tomato sauce and it was perfect.
Love the feedback Deborah! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Came out great! Based on my personal tastes I amped up the flavor a bit by adding the following: 1/2 tsp more of caldo de tomate bouillon, 1/4 cup diced white onion, 1 tbsp of fresh chopped cilantro, instead of water I substituted chicken broth, instead of chili powder I substituted Goya Sazon con Azafran, and also added one and a half teaspoons of Tajin Chile and Limon powder to give a nice hint of tanginess. I kept the lid on the whole time and cooked it for 30 minutes and it came out perfect!!! This will be my go-to recipe forever!!
thats great but what you did was make your own recipe
Followed the recipe to the letter and the rice was not fully cooked and chalky. I had to add a lot more water in order to get it to be fluffy.
Hi Steven, if you followed to the letter the rice would most certainly be fully cooked. The biggest reason rice doesn’t cook properly is that the lid isn’t right fitting and lets steam escape, or if you lifted the lid at some point. Steam is essential to cooking rice. The only other thing I can think of is you used a short grain rice (like sushi rice) instead.
the key to making good rice is the type, the kitchen appliance, and the time. I use my instant pot and I make long grain rice along with Italian rice, jasmine, and basmati and it takes a MINIMUM of 12 min for only 1 cup and that’s faster than a normal pan on the stove. I can only assume what was being used is minute rice, I never use it since I am about the quality of what I cook. Several minutes can only be minute rice, which is cheap and not something I cook with since I make rice that I can be proud of.
I would like to add I am Asian (Japanese) and Spanish. I know my rice very well.
Penny Calla you’re lesson on rice has nothing to do with the original comment or her reply. No you can’t use minute rice for this recipe why would you even suggest that’s what is being used…? Unless you’re being sarcastic. Obviously it’s long grain white rice. When you add in the tomato sauce, the bouillon and other ingredients that changes everything. Yes in my Zoji rice cooker (because I too am about the quality of rice….) I cook jasmine rice it only takes a short time. But with this recipe which I know very well you need to cook the rice for a set time usually 18-20 min. Especially since you’re most likely going to be making 2 cups of rice not just one to feed your family. Because of the ingredients, if you cook it too high the rice will stick and burn, cook it for only 12 minutes your rice will not be cooked properly because of the added ingredients. You don’t cook Mexican rice in a slow cooker by the way so all your talk about your slow cooker was pointless. I’ve never cooked rice in a slow cooker…either pan or rice cooker, because I want to make rice I can be proud of, I can’t be proud of my rice knowing I cooked it in a Slow Cooker…. Haiya!…
Boil the Rice on high heat until the rice is just visible above the water line and then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. I learned this from a Professional Asian Cook.
That may work for some recipes, but this recipe the rice would stick to the bottom. I strongly recommend to cook as directed.
Great recipe Kristin!
Btw Benjamin you’re using the knowledge you learned from an “Asian Chef” for a “Mexican recipe” like Kristin said it depends on the recipe. Pretty sure you’re chef was cooking plain white rice.
I’ve made this many times and enjoyed it most with the full 8oz of tomato sauce. Thank you for the recipe!
You are so welcome H Howard! Thank you for sharing your feedback.
I had always wanted to try my hand at Spanish rice, so I tried tonight. I am SO glad I found this recipe! From the flavor to the texture of the cooked rice, the taste is simply fantastic!
Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome Ted! Thanks for the awesome feedback.
Can you use minute rice
No, Minute rice wouldn’t work the same.
This is basically how my family has always made spanish rice and your recipe IS written correctly! I don’t know how people are misreading the tomato sauce. Making tonight for dinner along with pinto beans.
Thank you for the awesome comment Molly!