Mexican Rice Recipe

Looking for the perfect side dish to round out your Mexican-inspired meal? This easy and flavorful Mexican Rice Recipe is just what you need. Made with simple pantry staples like long-grain rice, taco sauce, garlic, onions, and a touch of spice, it comes together quickly and delivers that authentic restaurant-style taste right at home.

Mexican Rice vs. Spanish Rice: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Mexican Rice	Spanish Rice
Origin	Common in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine	Traditionally from Spain, but often Americanized
Color	Reddish-orange (from tomato sauce or tomato bouillon)	More golden/yellow (from saffron or turmeric)
Flavor Base	Tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin	Saffron, garlic, onion
Texture	Soft and fluffy	Slightly firmer and sometimes drier
Seasonings	Cumin, chili powder, tomato	Saffron or turmeric, often no tomato

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Rice Recipe:

• Quick and easy to make in one pot.
• Uses basic ingredients you probably already have on hand.
• Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
• Great for meal prep and leftovers.

Ingredients to Make Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe

Mexican Rice is simple dish you can easily make at home. Whether you’re pairing it with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or grilled meats, this rice adds a warm, comforting flavor that complements just about everything. It’s light, fluffy, and infused with just the right amount of seasoning making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings. This is one recipe you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation, it’s classic, reliable, and always delicious. Ingredients you’ll need to make Easy Mexican Rice: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Rice – Long grain white rice i.e. Ben’s Original or similar.
• Onion – White onion or sweet onion adds dimension to the flavor.
• Oil – Olive oil provides the fat for cooking the onion and coating the rice. You could use vegetable oil.
• Liquid – Low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock adds moisture. Chicken broth adds more flavor, but you could use water alone.
• Tomato Sauce – Mild, medium or hot taco sauce gives the rice a tomato based flavor.
• Chiles – One can of diced green chiles for a mild spicy flavor. You can use mild, medium or hot chiles.
• Seasonings – Taco seasoning, granulated garlic or garlic powder, seasoned salt and dark chili powder.
• Garnish – Fresh cilantro adds color and freshness.

How to Make the BEST Mexican Rice Recipe

• Sauté Onion: In a large saucepan sauté the onion and olive oil over medium-high heat until softened.
• Toast the Rice: Add the rice, stirring to coat with the oil. Toast the rice stirring constantly adds depth of flavor.
• Season the Rice: To the pot add the taco seasoning, granulated garlic, seasoned salt and dark chili powder. Stir well.
• Add Liquid: Add chicken broth and taco sauce and diced green chiles. Mix well.
• Simmer on Low: Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat then immediately lower to a simmer. Cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
• Let Stand: Remove the pot from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Serve: Fluff with a fork then serve garnished with fresh cilantro.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need to Make Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

• Large saucepan or pot with a lid for cooking the rice.
• Measuring cups and spoons for measuring the seasonings, oil and liquid ingredients.
• Sharp knife and chopping board for dicing the onion and cilantro.
• Large spoon and fork for fluffing the rice.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Rice: You could use basmati rice, jasmine rice or brown rice for this recipe. Each variety of rice cooks differently, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Garlic: If preferred, you could use fresh garlic in place of granulated garlic. Two to three medium cloves of garlic finely minced, will work.
• Tomato Sauce: I like using taco sauce in this Mexican rice as it’s seasoned and complements the overall flavor. You could use plain tomato sauce, instead.
• Salsa: You could replace the taco sauce with thick salsa or use a can or rotel tomatoes, for a chunky tomato texture.
• Vegetables: Some Mexican restaurants we visit add peas or mixed vegetables to the rice. You could add 1/2-1 cup of either one, to suit your taste. You could also serve black beans or refried beans on the side.
• Cilantro: If you have an aversion to the taste of cilantro, you can replace it with parsley or green onions.
• Green Chiles: You can use mild, medium or hot green chiles. You could also sauté diced jalapeno or poblano pepper for added spice.
• Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning amps up the flavor with a blend of spices commonly used in Mexican cooking. See my recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning here.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: You can store leftover Mexican Rice in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. When you reheat rice on the stovetop, don’t walk away it could stick to the pan. You might also want to add a small amount of water or chicken stock.
• Freezer: You can freeze rice for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Mexican Recipes to Make

• Taco Stuffed Shells are perfect for those days you can’t choose between tacos and pasta.
• This recipe for Cheese Stuffed Taco Meatloaf is a fan favorite.
• Crockpot Cheesy Salsa Chicken is a crowd pleasing supper.
• Stuffed Taco Potatoes are packed with flavor.
• Beef Enchilada Casserole is like a south of the border lasagna.
• Better than Taco Bell Copycat Mexican Pizzas.
• Crockpot Chicken Tacos is a tasty option for busy day meals.
• Homemade Bean Dip for game day and tailgating.
• Summer Vegetable Enchiladas from Food Network.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Saucepan
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board