Mexican Rice Recipe
This homemade Mexican Rice is quick to make for when you need a delicious side dish to accompany your Taco Tuesday specialties.
(629 votes, average: 3.39 out of 5)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1 small green pepper, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 pkg (10 oz) frozen sweet corn, thawed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup mild salsa
- 1 1/2 cups Minute® White Rice
- 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Categories
Instructions
Easy and homemade, Mexican Rice is perfect as a side dish or entrée for your next meal, family gathering or Taco Tuesday party! Try this recipe using our Minute® Instant White Rice.
Step 1
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add pepper and onion and sauté until tender but not browned, 3-5 minutes.
Step 2
Add corn, broth and salsa and bring to a boil.
Step 3
Stir in rice and cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
Step 4
Add cheese and fluff with a fork.
Recipe Tips
This recipe is adaptable so try it with whatever you have on hand. Feel free to add fresh or canned, crushed tomatoes in place of the salsa. If you’re looking for more heat, add a hot salsa or maybe drizzle some Tabasco sauce on top.
If you’re an avocado lover, garnish the rice with guacamole or sliced avocado.
Categories
Homemade Mexican Rice You’ll Actually Make Again
This homemade Mexican rice proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. In less time than it takes to scroll for dinner ideas, you’ve got a warm, flavorful side dish that fits into real life.
Serve it alongside tacos, stuff it into burritos or use it as the base for a quick rice bowl. Got leftovers? Even better. This rice reheats beautifully and makes an excellent starting point for a rice and beans burrito bowl, skillet meals or next-day lunches.
Minute Instant White Rice keeps everything moving without sacrificing flavor—because good food shouldn’t slow you down.
How to Make Mexican Rice Instantly
If you have ever searched how to make Mexican rice, you have probably seen recipes that call for rinsing rice, frying it in oil and simmering it until just right. That is not how this recipe works.
This method uses Minute Instant White Rice and a few simple ingredients to build flavor fast. Start by sautéing green pepper and onion in canola oil until tender. This creates a flavorful base without extra steps. Corn, chicken broth and mild salsa are then added and brought to a boil, combining savory, sweet and tangy flavors in one pan.
Once the liquid is boiling, stir in the rice, cover and remove from heat. In just five minutes, the rice absorbs the broth and salsa and cooks through perfectly. Finish by fluffing the rice with a fork and stirring in shredded Cheddar cheese for a creamy, satisfying finish.
No rinsing. No long simmer times. Just a quick, reliable way to make Mexican rice that fits into real life.
How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
If you’re looking to make authentic Mexican rice from scratch, while the results are flavorful, the process is more involved than most weeknight cooking allows.
Traditionally, Mexican rice starts with long-grain white rice that is rinsed and dried. The rice is then toasted in oil until lightly golden. This step helps develop flavor and keeps the grains firm.
Next, a tomato-based mixture made from tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices is added. Broth is poured in and the rice is simmered until the liquid is absorbed. Timing matters here. Too much stirring can make the rice mushy, while too little can cause it to stick or burn.
The result is a classic Mexican rice with deep flavor and a fluffy texture, but it requires patience and close attention.
Simple Meal Options
Our Mexican rice recipe is especially great for newer cooks because it comes together in just four easy steps and still delivers big results. Even confident home cooks love it because it leaves room to riff.
If you’re short on time (or patience), Minute also offers Rice Cup varieties that heat up in just one minute. They’re perfect for fast bowls, quick sides or microwave meals like:
- Microwave egg fried rice
- Veggie-and-sauce rice bowls
- Protein-packed leftovers reinvented in minutes
When dinner needs to happen now, you’ve got options.
What Are Some Tips for Perfect Mexican Rice?
Want to level things up? Here are a few pro tips to help you nail it every time:
- Don’t overcook the veggies: You want them tender, not browned, so they blend into the rice.
- Use broth, not water: This adds instant savory flavor.
- Let the rice rest: The 5-minute stand time is key for a fluffy texture.
- Fluff, don’t stir: Use a fork to keep the grains light and separate.
- Taste and tweak: Salsa brands vary—adjust seasoning or heat to match your mood.
Perfect Mexican rice doesn’t need to be fussy. It just needs smart shortcuts.
Can You Make Mexican Rice in a Rice Cooker?
Yes, you can make Mexican rice in the rice cooker! To begin, dice some onion and mince some garlic and soften it in the microwave. Add the softened onion and garlic to your rice cooker along with your Minute Instant Rice, vegetable broth, tomato paste and salt. Stir the mixture until everything is combined. Then, simply cook your rice until it’s nice and fluffy and the liquid has been absorbed.
One Recipe, Endless Possibilities
This Mexican rice recipe is more than a side—it’s a shortcut to better meals. Use it as-is, dress it up or turn it into something new tomorrow. That’s the beauty of rice that works with you, not against you.
Fast. Flexible. Full of flavor.
