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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

    Published on February 26, 2018 - Updated on January 13, 2023 by Chef Rodney - Leave a Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Restaurant Style Mexican Rice is just as good if not better than what you will find in restaurants. And now you can make it at home!
     
    Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

    Mexican Rice is probably one of the most important side dishes you need to master if you make a lot of Mexican food (along with refried beans). But if you already eat a lot of Mexican food you already know that.

    Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

    While not terribly difficult to make, there is a technique to get the rice just right. I’ve experimented with many different variations of ingredients (with many fails) and this combination seems to work the best. Just make sure you don’t burn the rice while browning it. Just remember to use long grain rice to get the proper texture. Short Grain rice will yield very sticky rice.

    bag of blue ribbon extra long grain rice
    Extra Long Grain Rice

    While Mexican Rice is often used as a side with many Mexican dishes, it is also often used when making burritos. I love a good chicken burrito stuffed with Mexican rice, sour cream and some pico de gallo. Yummy!

    An alternative to using chicken broth is Better Than Bouillon. I often use it when I don't have broth on hand.

    For more great recipes with Rice, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • Fantastic Ham Fried Rice
    • Instant Pot Mexican Rice
    • Club Chicken Casserole
    • Sharon's Country Casserole

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Mexican Rice recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Long Grain Rice, Canola Oil, Tomato Sauce, Fresh Cilantro, Salt, Garlic Cloves, Low Sodium Chicken Broth, Ground Cumin and Garlic Pepper.

    🥣 How to Make Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

    Cut onion into quarters and puree using a food processor. Place the tomato sauce, onion puree, chicken broth, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
    Heat oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Add rice and cook until golden brown.
    Once the rice is golden brown, add tomato mixture and stir well. Cover the pan and let simmer for 40 minutes stirring once at the 20-minute mark.
    Once the rice is cooked and there is no liquid left, add cilantro and fluff before serving.

    Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

    Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

    This Restaurant Style Mexican Rice is just as good if not better than what you will find in restaurants. And now you can make it at home!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 8
    Calories 224 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 Cups Long Grain Rice
    • 2 tablespoon Canola Oil
    • 2 Cups Tomato Sauce
    • ¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 Garlic Clove, Minced
    • 2 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
    • ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • ⅛ teaspoon Garlic Pepper
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    Instructions
     

    • Cut onion into quarters and puree using a food processor. Place the tomato sauce, onion puree, chicken broth, garlic, salt, pepper and cumin into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
    • Heat oil in large frying pan on medium heat. Add rice and cook until golden brown.
    • Once rice is golden brown, add tomato mixture and stir well. Cover pan and let simmer for 40 minutes stirring once at the 20 minute mark.
    • Once rice is cooked and there is no liquid left, add cilantro and fluff before serving.

    Notes

    You can add a few finely diced jalapenos to the tomato mixture for those of you that want a little kick.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSodium: 632mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 4.5mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1.1mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Awesome Side Dishes

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