Mexican Rice

Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

If you’ve ever wondered how to make Mexican rice that tastes like the version served at your favorite restaurant, you’re going to love this Easy Mexican Rice Recipe. This restaurant style Mexican rice is made with simple ingredients, comes together with very little effort, and delivers incredible flavor every single time.

I recently served this homemade Mexican rice alongside my Salsa Verde Chicken Bake, and it completely pulled the meal together. The rice is fluffy, flavorful, and packed with those classic Mexican-inspired flavors that make Taco Tuesday feel a little more special.

What I love most about this Mexican rice recipe is that it’s surprisingly simple. A handful of pantry staples, fresh vegetables, and a few easy techniques are all you need to create authentic Mexican rice right at home. Once you learn how to make Mexican rice from scratch, you’ll never want the boxed version again.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

• Simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store
• Restaurant style Mexican rice made at home
• Perfect side dish for Taco Tuesday
• Great for meal prep and leftovers
• Budget-friendly recipe
• Pairs well with tacos, fajitas, burrito bowls, and enchiladas
• Easy enough for beginner cooks

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this homemade Mexican rice recipe is that the ingredient list is short and simple.

Long-grain white rice creates the fluffy texture that makes this Mexican rice side dish so delicious. I used jasmine rice, but any long-grain white rice will work.

Fresh Roma tomatoes, white onion, and garlic are blended together to create the flavorful sauce that gives this Mexican red rice its signature color and taste.

The real secret to making restaurant style Mexican rice is using both Knorr Tomato Bouillon and Knorr Chicken Bouillon. These ingredients add rich savory flavor and help create that authentic Mexican rice taste so many people love.

You’ll also need avocado oil, water, and an optional jalapeño for a little extra flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mexican Rice

*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page

Step One: Blend the Sauce

Add the Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, bouillon, and one cup of water to a Ninja Smoothi. Blend until completely smooth.

This simple tomato mixture becomes the flavorful cooking liquid that transforms plain rice into delicious homemade Mexican rice.

Step Two: The Secret to Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

Place a Pan with Lid over medium heat and add the avocado oil.  

Once the oil is hot, add the rice and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently with a Spoon/Spatula.

Don’t rush this step. Toasting the rice until it becomes golden brown is one of the secrets to authentic Mexican rice. This process adds flavor, improves texture, and helps create the fluffy grains you’ll find in a Mexican restaurant rice recipe.

Continue stirring frequently to prevent the rice from burning.

Step Three: Add the Tomato Mixture

Pour the blended tomato mixture through a Strainer directly into the skillet.

Straining removes any larger pieces and creates a smooth consistency throughout the finished dish.

Be careful when adding the liquid because it may sizzle when it hits the hot rice.

Step Four: Add Water and Jalapeño

Pour in the remaining two cups of water and stir everything together until combined.

If you’re using a jalapeño, place it directly in the center of the rice. Leaving it whole adds mild flavor, while slicing it beforehand will create a spicier finished dish.

At this point, you’ll start to see the beautiful color that makes Mexican red rice so recognizable.

Step Five: Cover and Cook

Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low.

Cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.

I know it’s tempting to check on it, but don’t do it! The trapped steam is what allows the rice to cook evenly and develop the fluffy texture that makes this easy Mexican rice recipe so successful.

Step Six: Fluff and Serve

Remove the skillet from the heat and uncover.

Use a fork to gently fluff the rice before serving.

The grains should be tender, fluffy, and packed with flavor. This Mexican rice side dish is the perfect addition to any Mexican-inspired meal.

Is Mexican Rice the Same as Spanish Rice?

Many people use the terms Mexican rice and Spanish rice interchangeably. While there can be slight differences depending on the recipe, both are tomato-based rice dishes that are commonly served as side dishes.

This particular recipe is closer to a traditional Mexican red rice recipe because it uses fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and bouillon to create its signature flavor and color.

Jamie’s Tips

• Toasting the rice is one of the most important steps in this recipe. Don’t skip it.
• Stir frequently while the rice cooks to prevent burning.
• Keep the lid closed during cooking for the best texture.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully and are perfect for meal prep.
• Leave the jalapeño whole for mild flavor or slice it for extra heat.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.