Mexican cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, and this Mexican Red Rice recipe is no exception. With its fragrant mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices, this dish brings an authentic taste of Mexico straight to your table.
Often served alongside tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats, this Mexican Red Rice recipe is the perfect side dish to elevate any meal. It’s simple to make, yet packed with flavor. Whether you’re preparing for a casual weeknight dinner or hosting a gathering, this Mexican Red Rice recipe will surely become a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white long-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, perfectly chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 cup tomato puree (or 2 medium tomatoes, blended)
- 2 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth to make an option for vegetarians)
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (optional for extra richness)
- 1 Tbsp salt (or according to your taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Half cup peas frozen, and carrots (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Execution:
Rinse the Rice
Begin by thoroughly washing the rice with cool water. This will help eliminate excess starch and ensure that your rice becomes smooth and doesn’t get clumpy. Rinse the rice thoroughly.
Toast the Rice
In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil on medium-high temperatures. When it is heated then add the rice, and cook it constantly stirring, until the rice turns lighter brown. This takes around 5 minutes. It also adds a sweet taste in the rice.
Add the Aromatics
When the rice has toasty, add the chopped onion as well as minced garlic to the skillet. Let the onions cook until they become translucent and garlic aromatic, around two minutes.
Add the Tomato and Spices
Mix in the tomato puree and tomato sauce (if there is) along with salt, ground cumin. Allow the sauce to simmer for about a minute for the flavors to blend.
Simmer the Rice
Incorporate your chicken broth (or vegetables broth) and then bring the dish to a rolling boil. When it is boiling, lower the temperature to a simmer then cover the pan and allow it to simmer for about 15 minutes up to the point that rice has completely cooked and has taken in all liquid.
Optional Vegetables
If you’d like, mix into the peas and carrots at the end of five minutes in the cooking. It adds color as well as a delicate sugary flavor to the rice.
Fluff and Garnish
After the rice has been cooked then gently fluff it using the help of a fork. Add fresh cilantro to the dish to add a splash of flavor. Serve hot.
Tips for the Recipe: the Perfect Mexican Red Rice recipe
- Rinsing your rice prior to cooking is essential for getting rice that is fluffy and do not stick to each other. Make sure you do this!
- The rice is toasted to golden brown gives it an amazing depth of taste and ensures that rice is less likely to clump up.
- Make use of the freshest tomatoes and tomato purée to create a richer taste. Tomato sauce canned in cans is great as a condiment, however mixing fresh tomatoes creates an enormous different.
- If you’re trying to get things done, you can skip any of the vegetables however they do add great color and flavor.
- The chicken broth will give the rice an extra flavor. don’t hesitate to add vegetable broth to make the recipe vegetarian.
- Links to Similar Recipes on Recipe Platter
For more delicious recipes, check out our All Recipes page!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to stay updated with our latest content !
