Authentic Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

Learn how to make incredibly flavorful and perfectly fluffy restaurant-style Mexican rice in your own kitchen! This easy homemade recipe uses simple techniques like toasting the rice to unlock a depth of flavor that will elevate any Mexican meal.

Keyword Focus: Restaurant Style Mexican Rice, Authentic Mexican Rice, Fluffy Rice Recipe, Easy Rice Recipe, Homemade Side Dish.

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (corn or canola work well)
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
½ cup finely chopped white onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Equipment:

Medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid

Instructions:

Rinse the Rice: Rinse the uncooked rice under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming¹ mushy.
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Toast the Rice and Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes until the rice turns a light golden color and smells nutty. Be careful not to burn it.
Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add Spices: Add the cumin, salt, and garlic powder (if using) to the pan and stir to coat the rice and vegetables. Cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
Add Liquids: Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer the Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly with the lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Do not lift the lid during the simmering process. This is crucial for the rice to cook evenly.
Rest the Rice: After 18-20 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become even more fluffy.
Fluff and Serve: Remove the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot as a side dish with your favorite Mexican entrees.

Tips for Perfect Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice:

Use Long-Grain White Rice: This type of rice tends to cook up fluffy and separate, which is what you want for restaurant-style rice. Avoid short-grain or sticky rice.
Toast the Rice: This step is key to developing a deeper flavor and preventing the rice from becoming gummy.
Don't Skip the Aromatics: Sautéing the onion and garlic in oil before adding the rice infuses the dish with a delicious base flavor.
Use Hot Broth: While not strictly necessary, using warm or hot broth can help maintain the cooking temperature and may contribute to a better texture.
Resist Lifting the Lid: Trapping the steam inside the pot is essential for cooking the rice properly. Avoid the temptation to peek!
Let it Rest: Allowing the rice to rest after cooking allows it to finish absorbing any remaining liquid and become perfectly tender and fluffy.
Adjust Liquid if Needed: Depending on your stove and the exact type of rice, you might need to slightly adjust the amount of broth in future attempts. The goal is for all the liquid to be absorbed when the rice is tender.