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Mexican Rice Recipe Easy Fluffy Restaurant Style Side Dish

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This easy, fluffy Mexican rice brings restaurant-quality flavor and texture to your table. Toasted rice, tomato sauce, and simple aromatics create a vibrant, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for tacos, enchiladas, or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sunflower oil)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian/vegan)
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced (about 1/3 cup, optional)
  • 1/3 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Lime wedges (to serve, optional)

Instructions

  1. Place rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water, swirling with your hand, until water runs clear (about 1-2 minutes). Drain well.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rinsed rice and cook, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes until grains turn golden and smell nutty.
  3. Stir in diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. If using, add diced carrot and cook for another minute.
  5. Pour in tomato sauce and stir to coat rice and veggies. Let sizzle for 1 minute.
  6. Add chicken broth, ground cumin, and kosher salt. Stir well, scraping up any bits from the bottom.
  7. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes without stirring.
  8. Remove pan from heat. Scatter frozen peas over the rice (do not stir). Cover and let stand off heat for 5-10 minutes.
  9. Uncover and gently fluff rice with a fork, folding in peas. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  10. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges if desired.

Notes

Rinsing the rice is crucial for fluffiness. Toast the rice until golden for nutty flavor. Don’t stir during simmering. Let rice steam off heat for best texture. Easily adapted for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets. Double for parties, and leftovers reheat well.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican rice, fluffy rice, restaurant style, easy side dish, rice recipe, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan option, taco side, enchilada side, meal prep

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/mexican-rice-recipe-easy-fluffy-restaurant-style-side-dish/