Mexican Rice: A Beginner-Friendly Recipe for Perfectly Fluffy Rice Every Time
Say goodbye to bland rice and hello to perfectly fluffy Mexican rice! This easy recipe brings together fresh tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices for a delicious, flavorful rice dish. Whether you’re serving it with a hearty taco dinner or enjoying it on its own, this rice is a crowd-pleaser that’ll elevate your meal. Plus, it’s a great beginner recipe—no fancy techniques needed, just simple ingredients and a little patience!
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- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup white rice
- ¼ cup onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
- 1 tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 cube chicken bouillon (or 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring the Chicken Broth to a Boil Start by pouring the chicken broth into a small pot. Place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. This will be the base of your rice, so it’s important to have the broth hot before adding the other ingredients.
2. Add the Rice and Vegetables Once the broth is boiling, add the rice, finely diced onion, jalapeno, tomato, and garlic to the pot. Don’t forget to add your chicken bouillon or Better Than Bouillon at this stage. Stir everything together so the rice is well-coated in the broth and the veggies are evenly distributed.
3. Season the Rice Add the cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir everything together to ensure that the rice absorbs the seasoning. The cumin is what really gives this dish its authentic Mexican flavor, so don’t skimp on it!
4. Simmer the Rice Bring the mixture back to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and lower the heat to a simmer. Let the rice cook for 20 minutes. During this time, the rice will absorb the liquid and become fluffy. Don’t open the lid during this time, as the steam helps cook the rice evenly.
5. Check for Doneness After 20 minutes, check to see if the rice is cooked through. It should be tender, with all the liquid absorbed. If there’s still liquid in the pot, let it cook for a few more minutes.
6. Fluff the Rice Once the rice is done, remove the pot from the heat. Let it sit for a few minutes with the lid on to allow the rice to finish steaming. Then, use a fork to fluff the rice and separate the grains. This will give the rice a light, airy texture.
Notes
- Rice is Too Sticky: If your rice turns out sticky or clumpy, it may be due to using too much water or overcooking it. Be sure to measure your liquid carefully, and once the rice is done cooking, let it sit off the heat for a few minutes to let it firm up.
- Rice Burns: If the rice starts to burn, it could be that the heat was too high. Always cook rice over low to medium heat, and make sure to cover the pot with a lid to trap steam and prevent burning.
- Rice is Too Dry: If you find that the rice is too dry, it could be that you didn’t add enough liquid or didn’t cover the pot tightly enough. To fix this, simply add a little extra broth or water and let it steam for a few more minutes.
- Too Spicy: If the rice turns out too spicy, you can balance the heat by adding a little more tomato or serving it with a creamy side, like sour cream or guacamole.