Easy Salsa Rice

Transform your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and flavorful Easy Salsa Rice, a quick and versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with tacos, grilled chicken, or your favorite Tex-Mex meals. Made with fluffy long-grain white rice infused with the bold flavors of your favorite salsa, a hint of cumin, and a touch of olive oil, this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect way to elevate plain rice into a zesty, crowd-pleasing dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for an extra pop of freshness. Whether you choose mild, medium, or hot salsa, this customizable recipe will add a burst of color and spice to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, chopped for garnish)
• 2 pieces lime wedges (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water to remove excess starch. Drain well.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it starts to turn a light golden color.

Step 3

Add water, salsa, cumin (if using), and salt to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.

Step 4

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed.

Step 5

Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for another 5 minutes to finish steaming.

Step 6

Fluff the rice with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Transfer the salsa rice to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1073.2 grams (1073.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	510

Total Fat 15.30g	20%
Saturated Fat 2.30g	12%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2784mg	121%
Total Carbohydrate 85.80g	31%
Dietary Fiber 8.60g	31%
Total Sugars 12.60g
Protein 9.70g	19%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 136mg	10%
Iron 4mg	24%
Potassium 903mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.5%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 66.0%