A savory and spicy tomato-based rice that is delicious enough on its own or as a side dish to your favorite Mexican dishes!
Do you know what your love language is? For me, it’s serving others. One way I enjoy serving others is through food. The whole process: planning, buying, preparing, and serving truly brings me joy. If you’re invited into our home, you can bet that I plan to feed you!
I mentioned in a previous post that we recently hosted a pumpkin carving dinner party. When it comes to serving food to various ages, in this case, toddlers, teens, and adults, I try to plan food that ticks a few boxes. Is the food budget-friendly? Is it easy to prepare? Is it customizable? I felt a buffet-style taco bar would fit the bill perfectly. And I wasn’t wrong! I mean, who doesn’t love a good taco?
In addition to my Baked Chicken Taquitos and Mexican Black Beans, I knew I had to make my Mexican Red Rice! This rice is packed full of flavor, but the best part is, it only takes 30 minutes to make. So even on a busy weeknight, Mexican Red Rice is the perfect side dish for Taco Tuesday!
What is Mexican Red Rice?
A staple in Mexican cuisine, Mexican Red Rice, or Arroz Rojo, is a simple but flavorful side dish made of long grain rice, stock, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices.
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Red Rice Recipe
Budget Friendly - This recipe uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients like rice, stock, and spices to create a flavorful authentic dish.
Easy to Prepare - This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, with 20 minutes of that being rest time!
Make Ahead of Time - This recipe can be made a couple of days in advance making it perfect for quick weekly meal prep or in preparation for a big gathering.
Helpful Tips
I like to use my 6-quart Dutch Oven when making this recipe. Using a heavy-duty pot with a thick bottom will help to keep the rice from burning.
Don’t skip sauteing and toasting the ingredients! This helps the rice to absorb all of those delicious flavors.
Trust the process! Allow the rice to rest completely for 20 minutes before lifting the lid. This will ensure a fully cooked rice with a fluffy texture.
I highly recommend using beef or chicken stock rather than bullion. Stock has a deep flavor and typically less sodium than bullion, especially if you’re using homemade stocks.
Wear gloves when working with hot peppers and wash your hands thoroughly!
For more recipes like this, check out these other favorites:
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, deseeded and minced
2 cups long-grain rice
3 1/2 cups beef stock or chicken stock
2 cups picante sauce (mild or medium)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
Directions
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, warm oil over low heat.
Add onions, garlic, and jalapeno to the oil and sauté for approximately 3-4 minutes.
Add uncooked rice to the pot. Stirring constantly, sauté for approximately 4-5 minutes or until rice becomes toasted and changes to a light golden color.
Add picante sauce to rice mixture and heat through. Again, stirring constantly.
Carefully add beef or chicken stock.
Add in spices and bring liquid to a boil. Boil for approximately 8-9 minutes then cover pot, turn off the heat, and allow to rest undisturbed for 20 minutes.
Carefully remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
Top with cilantro to your desired taste preference.
Storing Mexican Red Rice
Allow rice to come just to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.
Rice freezes beautifully and stores well in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3
months.
I like to freeze-dry my leftover cooked rice to have on hand for super busy weeknights.
It basically just becomes “Minute Rice” and reconstitutes very quickly. I also store some in mylar bags for long-term storage, camping, or traveling.
Sharing is Caring
Share this recipe with someone who loves delicious, homemade food!
Did you know that we have a newsletter? It features some of our favorite recipes and free printables that are only available to our subscribers! And don’t worry, we hate spam mail and value your time. You’ll receive an initial thank you email, and our newsletter is delivered monthly. You can help our small family business by sharing us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Click here to sign up for our newsletter today!
Comments