Description
This Authentic Mexican Rice recipe features long grain white rice toasted to golden perfection and cooked with tomato sauce, fresh vegetables, and aromatic seasonings to create a flavorful and vibrant side dish perfect for any Mexican meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Toasting
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 1/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/4 medium onion, finely diced
Seasoning and Vegetables
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (or 2 pureed tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons tomato bouillon (granulated or cubes)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1/2 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
- 1–3 whole serrano peppers (optional)
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, then set it aside to drain.
- Toast the rice: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the rice and stir frequently for about 10 minutes until the rice turns a light golden brown, which enhances its nutty flavor.
- Add aromatics and liquids: Stir in the tomato sauce, minced garlic, and finely diced onion. Then add the tomato bouillon, salt, diced carrots, peas, and water. If desired, add serrano peppers for subtle flavor without adding heat.
- Cook the rice: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed.
- Rest and fluff: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving to separate the grains.
Notes
- To make your own tomato bouillon substitute, use finely pulverized chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes mixed with a small amount of tomato paste for richer flavor.
- Serrano peppers add a subtle depth and slight heat, but you can omit them if you prefer milder rice.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of water to boost flavor.
- Rinsing the rice thoroughly prevents clumping and ensures fluffy, separate grains.
- Adjust salt level depending on the saltiness of your tomato bouillon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican rice, authentic Mexican rice, side dish, toasted rice, tomato rice, vegetarian Mexican recipe
