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Mexican Rice

September 15, 2015 by Keri 27 Comments

A restaurant favorite made at home! This Mexican rice is easy to prepare and full of flavor. It makes the perfect side dish to all of your favorite Mexican recipes!

Mexican Style RiceOne of my favorite things about Mexican food is the rice that’s usually served alongside. I don’t know what it is about that rice, but I just love it. It’s such a simple side dish, but it’s full of flavor and really takes any Mexican dish (like these enchiladas or tostadas) to the next level. 

Making your own Mexican style rice is actually really easy to do at home! I’ve probably made this recipe 10 times in the last two months. I never get tired of it!

Rice Ingredients

Mexican RiceThe ingredients needed for this Mexican rice are simple. I always have them on hand, which makes it easy to enjoy this whenever I want! Onion, garlic, tomato, tomato paste, and a hot pepper. The hot pepper can be a jalapeño or even a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes. I used a yellow habanero when I made this batch.

Note to self: don’t blindly use an unknown pepper. 

We received that little yellow habanero in our CSA and I wasn’t entirely sure what it was. My first thought was a habanero, but I touched my finger to the seeds and then tasted it. It had heat, but it seemed bearable. I chopped the whole thing up and got to cooking. Well, then I decided to google what this mystery pepper was. Turns out it was indeed a habanero. 

I like heat, but this was intense. Seriously, my mouth was on complete FIRE. I refused to waste the rice, though. So I ate it for 4 days straight until it was finally gone! In the future I’ll know to remove some (or all) of the seeds. I’ve made this many times with a whole jalapeño and that adds a nice amount of heat without being too much. For a mild version, remove the seeds and ribs and if you’re not into spice, just leave out the hot pepper all together. 

Mexican Rice BowlNot only does this rice make a delicious side dish, it’s always a great base for a burrito bowl. Start with a base of the rice and then top it with my 5-Ingredient Shredded Chipotle Chicken, roasted corn or black beans, cheese, guacamole, shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, etc. You can top it with anything you want!

My mouth is watering now. Good thing I’m making it again for dinner tonight 🙂


Mexican Rice
2015-09-15 12:29:08
Serves 4
A restaurant favorite made at home! This Mexican rice is easy to prepare and full of flavor. It makes the perfect side dish to all of your favorite Mexican recipes!
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
  2. 1 Small Onion, diced
  3. 2 Garlic Cloves, finely minced
  4. 1 Jalapeno Pepper, or other hot pepper of your choice*
  5. 1 Small Tomato, seeded and diced
  6. 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  7. 1 ½ Cups Long Grain White Rice, rinsed*
  8. Salt & Pepper, to taste
  9. 2 Cups Water
Instructions
  1. Heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat and sauté the onion, garlic, and pepper until soft and lightly caramelized; about 3 minutes. Add in the tomato and tomato paste and mix well.
  2. Stir in the rice and allow it to “toast” for about 1 minute; stirring constantly. Season the rice with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour in the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.
  4. Simmer the rice for 10 minutes, or until almost all of the liquid is absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit untouched for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove the lid and then fluff the rice with a fork. Serve!
Notes
  1. *If you want a mild version, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño. You can also use a few pinches of red pepper flakes if you prefer. If you don't want any spice, simply omit the hot pepper.
  2. *Rinsing the rice gets rid of excess starch and results in a fluffier cooked rice.
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Mexican Rice Pin

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    Southwest Brown Rice Salad
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Filed Under: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Lovely comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    September 16, 2015 at 6:25 am

    Mexican rice is one of my faovirte dishes to make! I love the zesty flavors and how easy it is. This version looks fantastic, Keri! I’ve never added tomato paste to mine, so I will have to try this out!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Parmesan Mushroom BitesMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 16, 2015 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks Gayle!

      Reply
  2. Ali says

    September 16, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I really love rice recipes because I feel like you can add so many different flavors. I would love to use the leftovers of this Mexican version in a breakfast burrito 😉
    Ali recently posted…Maine Traveling Snapshot: Part 1My Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 16, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Thanks for the idea – that sounds delicious! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    September 16, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    I love a good mexican rice! Whenever I’ve made it myself, the rice gets too darn sticky and gummy. No good. Yours looks perfect! Can’t wait to make it : )
    Natalie @ Tastes Lovely recently posted…Ultimate Superfood Pregnancy SmoothieMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 16, 2015 at 4:18 pm

      That always used to happen to me too! I’ve found the trick is to use less water than you normally would with rice. I actually discovered that by accident – I wasn’t paying attention one day when I was making rice and used a lot less water than usual. That little mishap has changed my rice making! Thanks Natalie!

      Reply
  4. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    September 16, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I love Mexican rice too! Yours look perfect, homemade is always better!!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Apple Orange Salad And A Giveaway!My Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Thanks Manali!

      Reply
  5. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    September 16, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    My husband and I can eat a boatload of Mexican rice, it’s so good! Yours looks perfect! Love the heat in this!
    Kelly – Life Made Sweeter recently posted…Easy Pho with Daikon NoodlesMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Thanks Kelly!

      Reply
  6. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

    September 16, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I have never tried mexican rice before, but it sounds amazing!
    Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness recently posted…Pumpkin Spice GranolaMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Oh you have to try it! Thanks Cathleen!

      Reply
  7. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    September 17, 2015 at 2:33 am

    I love Mexican rice — this is one of my favorite dishes! And homemade ones are the BEST. Loved the awesome flavors here. Thank you fro this fabulous share! 🙂
    Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Toasted Coconut Sesame Rice Krispie and Multigrain Cheerios Dark Chocolate BarsMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Thanks Anu!!

      Reply
  8. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    September 17, 2015 at 8:46 am

    Hahahahahahaha!!! Omg, I almost fell out of my chair at the yellow habanero story! I can just picture your face after the first bite of the rice and your mouth being set ablaze! I am ALL for a lot of heat, but a whole habanero WITH the seeds and ribs? Wowza! Talk about feeling Hot, Hot, Hot! 😉 Anyways, Mexican rice is one of my favorite rice dishes too! So simple, yet super flavorful! Yours looks and sounds delicious (minus the whole habanero, too hot for me!)! Now I am craving this rice on a tostada! Great. Looks like I have to go to the grocery store! lol. Pinned! Cheers, girlie!

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:10 pm

      Yep, I was coughing and eating cheese and spoonfuls of sour cream to take the heat away! Never again will I make that mistake again hahaha. This on a tostada sounds wonderful right now! Thanks Cheyanne!

      Reply
  9. Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says

    September 17, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    This looks so yummy! I love Mexican rice :). I always order a side of it when we go out to eat!
    Annie @ The Garlic Diaries recently posted…Creamy Crock-Pot Salsa Verde ChickenMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks Annie!

      Reply
  10. Savita @ ChefDeHome says

    September 17, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I love mexican rice and this bowl is making me hungry, Keri! Homemade is BEST always! pinned
    Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- Caprese FocacciaMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 17, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks Savita!

      Reply
  11. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    September 17, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    Oh my goodness! That must have been one hot surprise! Yikes! I love Mexican Rice too – I always end up smashing my refried beans into it and mixing them up. Yours looks pretty dang delicious, but I think I’ll skip the habanero for personal safety!
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…PanzanellaMy Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      September 18, 2015 at 5:49 am

      Oh it definitely was! Refried beans in Mexican rice sounds wonderful! A jalapeño is much more manageable.. I certainly won’t make the habanero mistake again. Thanks Rachelle!

      Reply
  12. Maya @ Treats and Eats says

    September 21, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Ooh, Mexican rice! I don’t think I’ve ever made this but I sure do love it! Sorry you accidentally used a habanero though!! I tried to make habanero tequila this summer and it worked, but not taking out the seeds was a huge mistake so I feel you! Looks great Keri- pinned!
    Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…S’mores Brownie BarsMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Kwik Foods says

    December 19, 2020 at 6:02 am

    Making daily cooking quick, easy & effortless, while making sure the food is super fresh & Healthy. With Kwik Foods.

    Reply
  14. Kwik Foods says

    December 21, 2020 at 7:16 am

    thank you so much your blog is very helpful nice posts please share sum new idea and cooking easy tips for dal tadka Making daily cooking quick, easy & effortless, while making sure the food is super fresh & Healthy. With Kwik Foods.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Mexican Cauliflower "Rice" - Fashionable Foods says:
    November 3, 2015 at 9:31 am

    […] cut carbs, eat Paleo, or are doing Whole30 this is a great option. I took all of the flavors in my Mexican Rice and used grated cauliflower in place of the […]

    Reply
  2. Vegan Recipe Roundup - Fashionable Foods says:
    November 9, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    […] Mexican Rice – The perfect side to any vegan Mexican meal! It also makes a great base for a burrito bowl – just top it with beans, some spiced-roasted veggies, salsa, and guacamole. Yum! […]

    Reply

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I'm Keri: the passionate foodie behind the blog. I created Fashionable Foods to share fresh, homemade food with a creative twist. I live in Delaware with my husband Kyle, our son Nolan, and cat Basil. Favorite things include beach days, wine, and popcorn.
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