Description
This Easy Mexican Rice recipe delivers fluffy, flavorful rice infused with aromatic spices, tender bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes. Perfect as a side dish for Mexican meals or as a simple, comforting meal on its own. The rice is cooked in broth with cumin and chili powder, then garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Spices and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and help achieve fluffy rice.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Bell Peppers: Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until they are just tender.
- Bloom the Spices: Add cumin, chili powder, and salt to the saucepan. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Add Rice & Liquid: Stir in the rinsed rice, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 15 to 18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff & Finish: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use vegetable broth.
- Adjust chili powder amount to taste for more or less heat.
- Use fresh diced tomatoes when in season for best flavor, or canned tomatoes otherwise.
- To make it spicier, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper.
- Ensure rice is rinsed thoroughly to avoid clumping and achieve fluffier texture.
