Simple Mexican Rice

Transform your weeknight dinners with this flavorful and foolproof Simple Mexican Rice recipe. Perfectly spiced and irresistibly fluffy, this dish features golden-toasted long-grain white rice simmered in a savory blend of chicken broth, tomato sauce, garlic, and cumin. With just 10 minutes of prep and a total cook time under 30 minutes, this quick and easy side dish is the ideal companion to tacos, enchiladas, or grilled proteins. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a bright, zesty finish, or serve it as-is for a comforting, crowd-pleasing staple. Whether you're hosting a fiesta or sprucing up a meal at home, this simple yet authentic Mexican rice hits all the right notes.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 cup tomato sauce
• 0.25 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the rinsed rice to the pan and sauté, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes or until the rice is lightly golden and toasted.

Step 4

Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken broth and tomato sauce, then stir to combine. Add the ground cumin and salt, mixing everything evenly.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 7

Simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid while cooking to ensure the rice steams properly.

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. This helps the grains set and prevents clumping.

Step 9

Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(894.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	590.8

Total Fat 29.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2450.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g	0%
Total Sugars 5.9g
Protein 14.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 101.8mg	0%
Iron 4.8mg	0%
Potassium 598.0mg	0%

*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: 43.9%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 46.7%