Mexican rice is so easily recreated right at home! You will wonder why you have never made it before now.
This Authentic Mexican rice was such hit with my family that I couldn’t even tell you how many times we have made it since.
This recipe is so easy and makes a perfect complimentary dish with any Mexican/Spanish entree.
We made this rice for our favorite Mexican chicken burrito bowls (recipe to come). But I have also served it with tacos and wrapped up in a burrito. Really it’s so flavorful you could serve this as a side dish with almost any entree.
Try our Street Tacos!
Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Saute onion for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white rice and saute until golden brown.

Add minced garlic, chicken stock, cumin, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. (Make it vegetarian Mexican rice by using vegetable stock.)
You could add peas and carrots if you like. I personally pick them out at restaurants, so I leave them out when making this at home.
Cover, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes.
Check out our Strawberry Shortcake!

Very few ingredients, very little time and you have perfect Mexican/Spanish rice! Â A few people in my home have been known to sit down with just a large bowl of this rice. They love Mexican food.
Try our Homemade Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde recipe!
Mexican Rice Recipe
Mexican Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 cup onion, diced small
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add rice and cook until golden brown.
- When rice is golden brown, add stock, tomato sauce, salt, garlic, cumin and pepper to pan.
- Stir and cover pan.
- Let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Until rice is cooked through.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from lilluna.com
Comments
Janet Vinyard
June 1, 2016Looks and sounds delicious! I’ll have to try it soon! Thank for sharing the recipe! Blessings, Janet
DSTR
June 2, 2016Thank you, Janet! 🙂
Miz Helen
June 4, 2016We love Mexican Rice and your recipe looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
DSTR
June 6, 2016Thank you, Miz Helen!
Elaine
June 7, 2016Mexican Food is my favorite and this looks amazing!! I’ll take rice over beans any day!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! See you later this week!! Pinned!
DSTR
June 8, 2016Thank you, Elaine! My daughter can’t seem to get enough of this rice. I seem to be making it every week. 😉
Martie
June 7, 2016Wow, this looks really good! I never can make good Mexican rice, but I’m going to try it this way. I am terrible at cooking rice in general! Lol! Thanks for sharing; I’m pinning.
DSTR
June 8, 2016Thanks, Martie! This rice turns out perfect every time, I hope it works for you.
Munchkin Time
June 7, 2016This Mexican rice looks so yummy! Cant wait to try it caus my girls love rice!
DSTR
June 8, 2016Thank you! Let me know if you try it and how you like it. 🙂
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
June 7, 2016My daughter and I would love this. My husband, for some odd reason, doesn’t like tomato in his rice. I think his mother broke him. LOL She canned her own tomatoes and even made their own ketchup, the highlight of his and his sister’s Christmas was getting store bought ketchup as a gift! LOL She broke him! But we can make this for us and make extra beans for him. This looks delish! And I love a great bowl of rice, topped with cheese, salsa and sour cream! It’s a great lunch or warmed up dinner for one!
DSTR
June 8, 2016Awww, your poor husband! I hope you try the recipe and let me know what you think.
April R - Uncookie Cutter
June 7, 2016Never made my own Mexican rice before, looks great! Pinning!
DSTR
June 8, 2016Thanks, April! I hope you give it a try.
Shane
June 8, 2016Wow this looks so good, I am going to have to try this! Thank you. I would love for you to come participate in our Blog Hop. The Homesteader Hop every Wednesday, I do hope you will come out and join us. https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/06/08/homesteader-hop-6/
DSTR
June 9, 2016Thank you, Shane! I hope you like the recipe. I will be stopping by the blog hop in just a little bit. 🙂
swathi
June 13, 2016Delicious I need to try it, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
DSTR
June 13, 2016Thanks so much, Swathi! 🙂
Lois @Walking on Sunshine Recipes
June 20, 2016Thank you for joining Delicious Dishes Recipe Party. Hope to see you again tomorrow!
Diane
January 13, 2021I made this after scouring the internet for authentic Mexican rice . I’m guilty of using box mixes until now .. never again! This is the real deal and reminds me of the rice at our favorite restaurant. Thank you so much for posting such an easy and delicious recipe !