Description
This easy Mexican Rice recipe is a flavorful and vibrant side dish, perfect for busy weeknights. It features toasted long-grain rice cooked with aromatic onion, garlic, tomato sauce, and savory broth infused with cumin and chili powder.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 0.5 cup (75g) diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
- 2 cups (480ml) chicken or vegetable broth (choose low-sodium broth)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 0.5 cup diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Toast Rice: Add 1 cup long-grain white rice to the skillet. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes until the rice looks lightly golden and feels slightly gritty.
- Add Liquids & Spices: Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce and 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt, and 0.25 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer & Cook: Immediately reduce heat to low, cover tightly and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Do not lift the lid during this time!
- Rest & Fluff: Remove the skillet from heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork before serving.
Notes
For even faster prep, consider using pre-minced garlic. If the rice looks dry too soon, ensure the lid is truly tight; a little extra broth (1-2 tablespoons) can be added carefully if needed, then re-cover. Brown rice can be swapped for white, though cook time will differ.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup cooked rice (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 220 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Mexican rice, side dish, easy weeknight, one-pot, cumin, chili powder, stovetop, family-friendly