Description
Best Mexican Rice (Arroz Mexicano) is light, fluffy, and packed with authentic flavor from toasted rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and warm spices. This easy homemade version tastes just like your favorite Mexican restaurant and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce or blended fresh tomato
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Optional: ½ cup peas, carrots, or diced bell pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Drain well.
- Toast the rice: Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until golden brown (5–7 minutes).
- Sauté aromatics: Add onion and garlic. Cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add liquid & spices: Stir in tomato sauce, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15–18 minutes without stirring.
- Rest & fluff: Remove from heat, rest covered 5 minutes, then fluff gently with a fork.
Notes
- Always rinse and toast rice for fluffy, restaurant-style texture.
- Do not stir while simmering to avoid mushy rice.
- Use broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
- Add vegetables during the last 5 minutes of cooking if using.
- Finish with lime juice and cilantro for extra freshness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mexican rice, arroz mexicano, easy Mexican rice, authentic Mexican rice, Spanish rice recipe