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4.9 from 171 votes

Authentic Mexican Rice

Easy Mexican rice that tastes just like what you'll find at Mexican restaurants. Great flavor, good texture and a recipe the whole family can agree on. Perfect side dish to all your favorite Mexican foods! Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups + 2 Tbsp unsalted chicken broth or water
  • 1 medium roma tomato, minced (heaping 1/3 cup)
  • 2 1/2 tsp Caldo de Tomate*
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced (1 1/2 tsp)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Whisk together warm water, minced tomato, Caldo de Tomate, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and saute until opaque and lightly golden, about 2 – 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer.
  3. Pour water mixture in (careful, it will steam and sputter!). Stir once to level out rice (water should simmer right away if not bring it up to a simmer).
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes (you'll notice water bubbles stop coming to the surface).
  5. Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork. Cover with lid and allow to rest 5 minutes off heat. Serve warm.

Notes

  • I recommend Knorr Selects brand without MSG. Update: I've had a harder time finding this product lately so I've replaced with 1 Tbsp tomato powder and always use the chicken broth option, plus salt to taste.
  • To prevent leftover rice from drying out, I recommend reheating it in the microwave spritzed or drizzled with a little water. You can also reheat rice in a skillet with 1 - 2 Tbsp of water.
  • Recipe has been updated, see notes below recipe for changes.