Perfect Easy Mexican Rice Recipe: 1 Dish
Okay, friends, let’s talk about that *perfect* side dish. You know the one – the vibrant, fluffy, flavor-packed Mexican rice that just makes any meal sing. I’ve spent *ages* trying to nail down that authentic restaurant taste at home, and trust me, I’ve had my share of mushy or bland rice disasters. But I finally cracked the code! This easy restaurant style Mexican rice recipe is seriously a game-changer. It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered takeout just for the rice. Get ready for your weeknight dinners to get a serious upgrade!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice Recipe
Seriously, you’re going to make this easy restaurant style Mexican rice recipe over and over. It’s got all the good stuff without any of the fuss. It’s the perfect balance of simple, tasty, and *fast*!
- Quick and Simple Preparation: This recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights. You can whip up a batch in under 40 minutes from start to finish. No fancy techniques needed, just good ol’ stovetop magic.
- Authentic Restaurant Flavor at Home: Forget those bland, dry versions. This recipe gives you that vibrant color and delicious, slightly tangy tomato-cumin flavor you crave from your favorite Mexican joint. It’s the real deal, right in your kitchen!
Gather Your Ingredients for Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! To make this amazing easy restaurant style Mexican rice, you don’t need anything too crazy. Most of this stuff is probably already in your pantry. Just grab these few things and we’ll be on our way to rice perfection in no time.
Essential Pantry Staples
First up, we need our base! You’ll want 1 tablespoon of olive oil to get things started. Then, we’ve got 1/2 cup of finely chopped white onion. Make sure it’s chopped pretty small so it cooks down nicely. And of course, 1 clove of garlic, minced – don’t skip that garlicky goodness! The star of the show is 1 cup of long-grain white rice. Trust me, long-grain is the way to go here; it stays nice and fluffy.
Flavor-Building Liquids and Spices
Now for the flavor magic! We’re using 2 cups of chicken broth for that savory depth. If you want to keep it vegetarian, just swap this for vegetable broth – it works great! Then, we’ve got 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce. This gives us that classic reddish color and a little tang. For seasoning, it’s simple: 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin. That cumin is key for that authentic Mexican flavor! For more information on the benefits of cumin, check out this resource.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Making this easy restaurant style Mexican rice is honestly a breeze, and the results are SO worth it. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have fluffy, flavorful rice every single time. It’s really hard to mess this up!
Preparing the Base
First things first, grab a medium saucepan and get it over medium heat. Add your tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering a bit, toss in your finely chopped white onion. Let those onions soften up and get a little translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic. Be careful not to burn it – just cook it for about a minute until you can really smell that amazing garlic aroma.
Toasting the Rice
Now for a super important step that makes all the difference! Stir in your cup of long-grain white rice. Keep stirring it around in the pan with the onions and garlic for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want the rice grains to get lightly toasted. They’ll start to look a little opaque and smell nutty. This step helps prevent the rice from getting mushy later and adds a great depth of flavor.
Simmering to Perfection
Okay, time for the liquids! Pour in your 2 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option, remember!). Then add your can of tomato sauce, along with the salt and cumin. Give it all a good stir to make sure everything is combined and the rice is nicely coated. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil. Once it’s boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, put a lid on the saucepan nice and tight, and let it simmer away. You’ll want to let it do its thing for about 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Just resist the urge to peek too much!
The Final Rest and Fluff
Once the 20 minutes are up and the liquid is gone, turn off the heat completely. But DON’T lift that lid yet! Let the rice sit there, covered, for a good 5 minutes. This resting period is crucial for the steam to finish cooking the rice evenly and make it super fluffy. After it’s had its rest, take off the lid and fluff it all up gently with a fork. See? Perfect, restaurant-worthy Mexican rice!
Tips for Success with Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Alright, let’s make sure your easy restaurant style Mexican rice turns out absolutely perfect every single time. A few little tricks make a huge difference, and it’s mostly about respecting the rice and the ingredients!
Choosing the Right Rice
Seriously, stick with long-grain white rice for this recipe. It’s designed to stay fluffy and separate, which is exactly what you want. Short-grain or medium-grain rice tends to get sticky and clumpy, and we’re definitely not aiming for that mushy texture here! For more on different types of rice, you can explore rice varieties.
Broth vs. Water
Using chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version!) instead of just water is a total flavor game-changer. It adds so much more savory depth and makes the rice taste way more complex and satisfying. Don’t skip it if you can help it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
Got questions about making this amazing easy restaurant style Mexican rice? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common things people ask.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! It’s super easy to make this vegetarian. Just swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth. It gives you the same delicious flavor and texture, but keeps it totally plant-based. So yummy!
What kind of rice is best for this recipe?
For this easy restaurant style Mexican rice, you really want to use long-grain white rice. It’s the secret to getting that fluffy, separate texture you see at restaurants. Other types of rice can get gummy or mushy, and that’s not what we’re going for here!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates! The exact nutritional values for your easy restaurant style Mexican rice can change depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use and how much you serve. But generally, this recipe comes out to about 250 calories per cup, with around 7g of fat and 40g of carbohydrates. It’s a pretty balanced side dish!
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Sugar: 5g
Share Your Easy Restaurant Style Mexican Rice Creations!
I would absolutely LOVE to see your versions of this easy restaurant style Mexican rice! Did you try it with a pinch of cayenne? Snap a pic and share it in the comments below! Let me know how it turned out, if you added any fun twists, or just how much you enjoyed it. Your feedback helps everyone!
Print
Perfect Easy Mexican Rice Recipe: 1 Dish
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for authentic Mexican rice, just like you’d find in your favorite restaurant.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the rice and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce. Add salt and cumin. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Notes
- For a spicier rice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth for a vegetarian option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Mexican rice, restaurant style rice, easy rice recipe, side dish, Spanish rice
