Mexican rice is a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine and one of the best executions of rice on the planet. It’s right up there with Hainanese chicken rice, fried rice, and paella. Who doesn’t love Mexican rice? But did you know it’s super easy to make at home and way healthier than buying those bags of premade rice that account for 80% of your daily sodium? If you ever wanted to amp up taco night, Mexican rice, refried beans, and homemade salsa are the low hanging fruit. Let’s dive into the fiesta of flavors with this simple yet delicious Mexican rice recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (or up to 1 cup)
• 1.25 cup water

Special Equipment

• Nonstick pan with a lid

How to make Mexican Rice

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat and add onions. Fry until onions are just translucent, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the rice, garlic, and cumin. Continue frying until rice is golden brown and nutty, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add tomato sauce and oregano. Stir until rice is evenly coated with tomato sauce.
4. Add water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
5. When the water has reached a boil, immediately cover with a lid and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Set a timer for 20 minutes and don’t disturb or peek under the lid for any reason.
6. When the 20 minutes are up, remove from heat, continuing not to touch the lid, and let steam for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, fluff and serve.

Helpful Hints

• Frying the rice until it’s nutty and golden is crucial for achieving that restaurant-quality texture.
• Use Mexican oregano for an authentic taste, but if unavailable, regular oregano will do.
• Adjust the amount of tomato sauce according to your preference for a richer or lighter tomato flavor.