Description
This Easy Mexican Rice recipe is a flavorful and vibrant side dish featuring fluffy long-grain white rice cooked with aromatic onions, garlic, bell pepper, and classic Mexican spices such as cumin and chili powder. Enhanced with fresh tomatoes and garnished with cilantro and lime, it’s a perfect accompaniment for any Mexican-inspired meal, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy rice.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Bell Peppers: Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until just tender.
- Bloom the Spices: Add cumin, chili powder, and salt to the pan. Stir for 30 seconds to bloom the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Add Rice & Liquid: Stir in the rinsed rice, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Fluff & Finish: Remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice is essential for fluffy texture and to avoid clumping.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth for richer flavor.
- Adjust the chili powder amount to suit your preferred spice level.
- Using fresh tomatoes adds a fresher taste, but canned tomatoes work well too.
- Letting the rice rest covered after cooking ensures even moisture distribution.
- Serve this rice as a side dish with tacos, grilled meats, or beans for a complete Mexican meal.
