Easy Mexican Rice

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

• Rice: Long-grain white rice is commonly used, although you can also use medium-grain rice. I use parboiled long-grain rice.
• Chicken stock: You can substitute for vegetable stock if you want to keep it vegetarian. You can also use chicken broth.
• Veggies: You’ll need Roma tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno pepper, and yellow onion. Fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce are used to give the rice its distinct color and flavor.
• Tomato paste: This will add more flavor and enhance the color too.
• Salt & Black pepper: I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half. 
• Oil: You can use any oil you have handy. I usually use vegetable oil or olive oil.
• Frozen mixed vegetables: This is totally optional. I use frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, and carrot).
• Cilantro & lime juice: For extra freshness and flavor, garnish the rice with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice just before serving.

Make Mexican Rice On the Stove

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

Make Mexican Rice in a Rice Cooker

The best part is that everything gets tossed into the rice cooker, you walk away, and the magic happens in minutes. Then you finish it up with a handful of cilantro, a few big squeezes of lime.

1. Place rice into the rice cooker.
2. Place chicken stock, tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, onion, tomato paste, salt, and pepper into a blender and blend until all ingredients are well-chopped. You can leave it as chunky or smooth as you like.
3. Add the mixture from the blender to the cooking pot with the rice. Add oil and frozen vegetable (if using) and mix to incorporate.
4. Close the cooking pot and set the cooker in “white rice” mode. Note: The cooking time might vary depending on your rice cooker model. My Hamilton Beach rice cooker takes 45 minutes.
5. Add cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Serving ideas

We often serve alongside some Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas, Mexican Short Ribs, or oven-fried chicken. I like to make a double batch of it so we have it to enjoy for a few days.  It does keep well and reheats beautifully. Here are some other of my favorite way to serve this flavorful rice.

1. Tacos: Serve Mexican rice as a side dish alongside your favorite tacos, whether they’re filled with grilled chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian fillings. The rice’s flavors complement the savory and spicy elements of the tacos. These are my favorite taco recipes: Easy Shredded Chicken for Tacos, Easy Ground Beef for Tacos Recipe, 30-minute Easy Tacos al Pastor.
2. Enchiladas: Mexican rice is a fantastic accompaniment to enchiladas, whether they’re filled with cheese, chicken, beef, or beans: the rice’s richness and mild spiciness balance out the flavors of the enchiladas. Our fave enchiladas: Quick and Easy Enchiladas Suizas.
3. Burritos: Include a scoop of Mexican rice inside your burritos to add texture, flavor, and a pop of color. It can be a great filler along with beans, meat, and other fillings.
4. Fajitas: When serving fajitas, offer a side of Mexican rice to round out the meal. The rice’s flavors complement the sizzling grilled meat and vegetables in fajitas. No-Fuss Easy Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas.
5. Grilled Meats: Whether you’re grilling steak, chicken, or fish, a side of Mexican rice can add depth to the meal. The rice provides a satisfying base to soak up juices and sauces from the grilled meats.
6. Beans: Pair Mexican rice with refried beans or black beans for a classic combination. The rice and beans together create a well-rounded, satisfying dish. You need these beans in your repertoire: Easy Drunken Beans (Frijoles Borrachos)
7. Mexican Bowls: Create customizable Mexican rice bowls by layering the rice with ingredients like grilled vegetables, beans, avocado, salsa, cheese, and your choice of protein. It’s a great option for a balanced and customizable meal.
8. Chiles Rellenos: These stuffed peppers are often served with a side of Mexican rice. The rice helps balance out the richness of the cheese-stuffed peppers.
9. Carnitas or Barbacoa: Rich and flavorful dishes like carnitas (slow-cooked pork) or barbacoa (slow-cooked beef) pair wonderfully with Mexican rice, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. My go-to carnitas recipe: Super Easy Mexican Pulled Pork (5 ingredients)
10. Mexican Buffets: Mexican rice is a must-have side dish if you’re hosting a Mexican-themed party. It complements a variety of dishes and allows guests to create their own unique plates.
11. Lunch Wraps: Use Mexican rice as a filling for lunch wraps or burritos, along with other ingredients like beans, cheese, vegetables, and your choice of protein.