The Best Mexican Rice Recipe

Bowl of restaurant-style Mexican rice garnished with cilantro beside a lime wedge on a blue napkin with a fork on a wood table.

Make restaurant-style Mexican rice at home with this easy recipe. Fluffy, flavorful rice that pairs perfectly with tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Servings

Calories 270kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Jalapenos, medium ribs and seeds removed for milder flavor
3 Garlic Cloves minced
2 cups Long-Grain White Rice rinsed
4 Roma Tomoates or any tomato of your choice
2 Shallots or 1 small sweet yellow onion
⅓ cup Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
2 cups Vegetable Broth
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Oregano
½ teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Salt
2 tablecpoons Fresh Cilantro finely chopped
2-3 Limes optional for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mince the jalapenos and garlic cloves, then set aside. Wear disposable gloves when handling jalapenos to avoid skin irritation.
2 Jalapenos, medium, 3 Garlic Cloves
Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Shake well to remove excess water and set aside.
2 cups Long-Grain White Rice
Add the roma tomatoes and shallots to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Measure out 2 cups of the mixture.
4 Roma Tomoates, 2 Shallots
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed oven-safe sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⅓ cup Vegetable Oil
Add the rice and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly toasted.
Stir in the jalapenos and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the tomato puree, tomato paste, seasonings, and broth. Stir gently to combine.
1 tablespoon Tomato Paste, 1 teaspoon Chili Powder, 1 teaspoon Oregano, ½ teaspoon Cumin, 1 teaspoon Salt, 2 cups Vegetable Broth
Bring the mixture to a boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and transfer to the oven.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in fresh cilantro before serving.
2 tablecpoons Fresh Cilantro

Notes

*You may also add ½ cup of frozen sweet corn and thinly sliced green peppers when adding the tomato puree, tomato paste, seasoning, and broth for extra flavor! I recently added corn and green peppers, and it was a big hit!

*If you do not have an oven-safe sauté pan or Dutch oven, you can prepare this on the stovetop and transfer it into a 9x13 baking dish or foil pan and cover with foil. Please be careful when transferring this mixture; it is very hot.

Nutrition