Description
Savor the authentic flavors of Mexican rice, a delightful side dish that brings Mexico’s culinary magic to your table. Perfectly seasoned and fluffy, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality goodness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Garnish and Optional Add-ins:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 lime (for juice)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
Instructions
- Rinse rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain completely to remove excess starch.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface for toasting the rice.
- Add rice to the hot oil, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a golden-brown color, which should take about 5-6 minutes.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion and minced garlic into the toasted rice, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Pour in tomato sauce and chicken broth, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly and distribute seasonings throughout the mixture.
- Sprinkle salt and ground cumin over the rice, gently mixing to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Add frozen peas and diced carrots, folding them into the rice mixture for additional texture and color.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow steam to complete the cooking process.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork, separating the grains and releasing trapped steam.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top for a bright, zesty finish.
- Serve immediately as a vibrant side dish that captures the essence of restaurant-style Mexican rice.
Notes
- Rinse rice meticulously to eliminate excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains with perfect texture.
- Toast rice in hot oil carefully to develop a rich, golden-brown color that enhances overall flavor complexity without burning.
- Maintain medium-high heat when sautéing rice and aromatics to create a deep, caramelized base that mimics authentic restaurant-style preparation.
- Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, maintaining the same robust flavor profile and cooking technique.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg