Original Mexican Rice

Bring authentic Mexican flavor to your table with this vibrant and flavor-packed Original Mexican Rice recipe! Made with perfectly toasted long-grain white rice, aromatic garlic and onion, and a savory blend of tomato sauce, chicken broth, and warm spices like cumin and chili powder, this dish is a true taste of traditional Mexican cuisine. The addition of tender carrots and sweet peas adds delightful texture and a pop of color, while the optional garnish of fresh cilantro provides a bold, herbaceous finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy one-pan recipe is the perfect side dish to tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats and will quickly become a family favorite. Don’t forget to serve it warm and fluff it to perfection for that irresistibly fluffy and flavorful bite every time!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 0.5 cup peas, frozen or fresh
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the rice to the pan. Stir constantly for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice turns golden brown and starts to smell toasty.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the rice. Continue to stir for another 2 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes translucent.

Step 4

Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine, ensuring no rice is stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Add the diced carrot, peas, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Mix well to distribute the vegetables and spices evenly.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 7

Let the rice simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid, allowing the liquid to absorb completely.

Step 8

After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to finish steaming.

Step 9

Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1201.6 grams (1201.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	754

Total Fat 31.40g	40%
Saturated Fat 4.50g	23%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3855mg	168%
Total Carbohydrate 98.20g	36%
Dietary Fiber 12.20g	44%
Total Sugars 18.30g
Protein 21.40g	43%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 177mg	14%
Iron 8mg	42%
Potassium 1183mg	25%

*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: 37.1%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 51.6%