The BEST Mexican Rice Recipe (2024)

If you are looking for the BEST Mexican Rice Recipe this is it! This Mexican rice recipe tastes JUST like the Mexican rice that you get at a restaurant and it is so easy to make! This authentic Mexican rice is perfect for pairing with many Mexican main dish recipes and makes the perfect side dish for a Mexican Meal.

The Best Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

Mexican inspired dinners are some of our favorites. We enjoy going to Mexican restaurants but we also love eating at home and making our own meals. Lately we have been enjoying a lot of Mexican inspired meals and that set me out to figure out and create the best Mexican rice recipe. I had been buying the boxes of Mexican rice, however, they did not give me the flavors that I wanted that reminded me of my favorite Mexican restaurant’s rice.

Even though I am cooking at home, when I make a dish I want it to be easy and taste amazing. This authentic Mexican rice recipe covers both. It pairs well with so many Mexican main dish recipes and this authentic Mexican rice recipe has become my go to side dish whenever I make a Mexican or Mexican inspired main dish for dinner.

I have been experimenting with making a homemade Mexican rice recipe for a while now and I have now come up with the perfect homemade Mexican rice recipe that is easy to make. I’ve tried many different combinations of spices, herbs, and salsa when trying to create this authentic Mexican rice recipe. I didn’t realize I was trying too hard to make it amazing. Mexican rice is a very simple tomato base rice that’s best when it’s not overdone. For those of us who like good food but easy to make, this simple recipe for Mexican rice is perfect.

Now we all know that the majority of the time, dining out means amazing meals. Well, at least that is the goal when you are going out to eat. However many people do not realize just how easy it is toreplicate things at home just like this Restaurant Style Mexican Rice. When you make this authentic Mexican rice recipe and see how easy is to make I am sure you will be adding it to your recipe box to enjoy time and time again.

Mexican Inspired Side Dish Recipes

• Mexican cauliflower rice
• Restaurant Style Salsa
• Taco Cups
• Cheese Quesadillas
• Guacamole
• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

What is the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?

Mexican rice is softer rice while Spanish rice is firmer rice.

What kind of rice is best for Mexican rice?

When making this authentic Mexican rice recipe you want to use a long grain white rice.

What spices are in Mexican Rice?

For this Mexican rice recipe, you will use garlic, salt, and pepper. If you want to add a little spice to it you can also add some chili powder.

What to Serve with Mexican Rice

There are so many tasty recipes that you can serve with Mexican Rice, here are just a few of the favorites that I make when we are having Mexican food for dinner. If I am making tacos, then I always use homemade taco seasoning. There is a big difference between the homemade and the packaged stuff!

• Chicken Avocado Burritos
• White Cheddar Queso
• Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps
• Crockpot Chicken Tacos
• Baked Chicken Enchiladas
• White Chicken Enchiladas
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Tips for Making this Recipe

Don’t skip browning the rice. I really recommend that you don’t skip out on browning the rice before you add the water to it. When your rice gets that brown color it brings out the nuttiness in the simple rice.

When the rice comes to a boil make sure not to stir it anymore because it will turn into a mushy pile of rice instead of individual pieces.

Don’t remove the lid. While tempting to remove the lid while the rice is cooking don’t. The lid on the pan is what makes the heat stay in while the rice is cooking.

Variations of this recipe

While there is not much I change when making this recipe there are a few variations you can do if you want to.

Add chicken. If you want to add cooked chicken when the rice is done cooking you can.

Add beans. If you like beans in your Mexican rice you can add cooked black beans after the rice is done cooking.

Add veggies. You can add sauteed bell peppers or sauteed onions to this Mexican rice if you want to.

If you do not have the V-8 juice at home you can always substitute it for just plain tomato juice or tomato sauce.

How to Store Leftover Mexican Rice

Cooked rice is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Allow the rice to cool completely and then place in a container or a zipclose freezer bag and store in the fridge or freezer, depending on how long it will be until you use the leftovers.

How long does rice last in the fridge?

Cooked rice that has been left in the refrigerator will last for 4 to 6 days.

How to reheat cooked rice

Heat it in a microwave safe bowl from on high for 2 minutes, turn the container over and then heat another minute or until hot.

Can I Freeze Mexican Rice?

Yes! You can totally make a large batch of easy Mexican rice and freeze it to use for easy meals later. Make sure you also check out how to freeze rice that will make your life easy with all the tips and tricks. I find it best to store rice in a zip close freezer bag when I am freezing it. Allow the rice to cool completely and then pour into the freezer bag. Zip close and squeeze the air out and lay flat in the freezer. Be sure to put the date on the bag so you know when it was made.

How long does cooked rice last in the freezer?

Cooked rice lasts for up to 12 months. That is a long amount of time, which is great for having it on hand. Make sure to portion the cooked rice into dinner sized portions or into single serve portions. Place the rice in freezer bags and make sure to remove the air. Also, be sure to add the date to the bag or container so that you know exactly when you froze it.

How to reheat frozen rice

Heat it in a microwave safe container from frozen on high for 2 minutes, turn the container over, and then heat another 3 minutes or until hot.

Restaurant Style Mexican Rice Ingredients

• olive oil
• long grain rice
• garlic, minced
• chicken broth
• V-8 juice
• salt
• pepper

How to Make Mexican Rice

In a sauté pan or large skillet over medium-high heat add the olive oil.

Add in the rice and cook until the rice turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes.

Stir in your garlic, chicken stock, and v8 juice.

Bring the liquid up to a boil then cover and reduce the heat to low.

Allow the Mexican rice to simmer for 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.

Once fully cooked use a fork and fluff and stir the rice gently.

When serving you can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice from a lime if you want to.

Mexican Inspired Recipes

• Crockpot Barbacoa
• Mexican Stir Fry
• Low Carb Taco Soup
• Chicken Enchilada Spaghetti Squash

Following Weight Watchers? This Mexican Rice recipe has 4 Weight Watchers points per serving.

Rice Recipes

• Garlic Rice
• Easy Fried Rice
• Parmesan Rice
• Turmeric Rice
• Baked Rice