• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathy's Vegan Kitchen
  • Recipes
  • Categories
    • Vegan Entrees
    • Breakfast
    • Sandwiches
    • Small Bites
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    • Vegan Sides
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • How-To
    • Our Vegan Life
  • Vegan Reviews
    • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
    • Purple Carrot Review
    • Veestro Review
    • Fresh N’ Lean Review
  • About
  • TOP 50 EBOOK
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • COMFORT FOOD
  • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • COMFORT FOOD
    • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home / Recipes / Vegan Sides

    Mexican Rice

    Published: Feb 6, 2021 · Modified: Jun 27, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

    134 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Mexican Rice Recipe

    Although I tried and failed several times, I finally figured out the secret to a fabulous Mexican rice recipe. In my house, everyone loves Mexican food. Unfortunately, restaurant-style Mexican rice is full of oil and chicken broth. So, I decided to make a healthy Mexican rice recipe my family would love. 

    With a little help from few simple ingredients, brown rice can be transformed into a tasty Mexican rice recipe you will make time and time again. 

    There is, however, a secret, which I recently discovered after several failed attempts to make Mexican rice. Whenever I attempted making Mexican rice in the past, it always turned out mushy and lacked flavor. 

    Then, I discovered some simple tricks to make my rice exactly how I love it; sassy and firm. 

    What is Mexcian Rice?

    Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice, red rice, or Arroz Rojo, is a Mexican side made from white rice, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. 

    Although traditionally made with chicken broth, my Mexican rice recipe is made with healthy vegan ingredients.

    What ingredients are in vegan Mexican rice?

    • White onion
    • Jalapeno
    • Garlic
    • Long-grain brown rice
    • Tomato sauce
    • Rotel Roasted tomatoes
    • Cilantro
    • Vegetable broth
    • Cumin
    • Chili Powder
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Saute onions and vegetables mexican rice

    Mexican Rice Recipe Secret Revealed 

    The key to this recipe is to sauté the rice in a pan until toasted and golden brown. Since I don't cook with oil, I use a non-stick pan and cook the garlic, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro first. The sweat from the vegetables and a little vegetable broth makes the perfect oil substitute.

    saute rice until brown mexican rice

    This helps the grains keep some of their texture after they are cooked.

    Next, the rice simmers in a puree of tomatoes, onions, and vegetable broth absorbs all flavors.

    Add other ingredients mexican rice

    Adding additional cilantro after cooking, as well as a few fresh limes and a light fluff with a fork, guarantees the best rice ever, every single time.

    Once the ingredients are added, the rice simmers in the mixture are covered for 35 minutes. 

    Cooked mexican rice

    As I said before, a little squeeze of lime and some extra cilantro brings it all together! 

    Mexican Rice Recipe

    This Mexican rice recipe can be served with any of your favorite Mexican foods as a side dish. 

    For instance, I served this delicious rice on the side of my chimichanga recipe. 

    FAQs

    What is the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?
     
    Mexican rice is softer and takes on its unique color from cumin. On the other hand, Spanish rice is firmer and gets its yellow color from saffron. 
     
    How do you fix undercooked Mexican rice?
     
    To fix undercooked rice, microwave it for around 2 minutes then check to make sure it's cooked. 

    Do you love healthy Mexican food? Try these wonderful Mexican recipes.

    • Mexican Corn Salad
    • Vegan Tacos
    • Healthy Burrito Bowl
    • The Best Ultimate Vegan Lentil Black Bean Burrito Ever
    • Cauliflower Tacos
    • Potato Tacos
    • Sweet Potato Tacos
    • Enchiladas
    • Taquitos
    • Mexican Street Corn - Vegan!

    📖 Recipe

    Mexican Rice Recipe

    Mexican Rice

    Kathy Carmichael
    Spice up your life with this tasty Mexican rice recipe. Made with brown rice and a combination of spices and vegetables, this oil-free rice recipe tastes just like the authentic rice in a Mexican restaurant.
    4.50 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 205 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Mexcian Rice

    • 1 small white or yellow onion diced
    • 1 Jalapeno seeded and diced
    • 3 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 cup Long-grain brown rice
    • 8 ounces Tomato sauce
    • 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes
    • ¼ cup Cilantro chopped
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • 2 teaspoons Cumin
    • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Garnish (optional)

    • 1 lime cut into wedges
    • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
    • 1 Avocado chopped

    Instructions
     

    • In a deep skillet with sides, saute the onion, garlic, and jalapeno until the onions are translucent.
    • Add a small amount of vegetable broth or after to prevent sticking.
    • Now, add cilantro and seasonings; stir into the onion mixture.
    • Then, add dry uncooked rice and stir into the onion mixture.
    • Continue to stir the dry rice until it begins to brown, making sure to allow a few minutes between stirring.
    • Add the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.
    • Stir and bring the mixture to a boil; cover, reduce heat to simmer, and cook for 35 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and leave the top on the pot for 10 minutes.
    • Then, fluff the rice with a fork.

    Notes

    What Is Mexcian Rice?

    Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice, red rice, or Arroz Rojo, is a Mexican side made from white rice, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. 
    Although traditionally made with chicken broth, my Mexican rice recipe is made with healthy vegan ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 516mgPotassium: 513mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 767IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

    More Vegan Sides

    • Mediterranean Potato Recipe
      Mediterranean Potatoes
    • buffalo potato recipe
      Buffalo Potatoes
    • dill pickle chips recipe
      Dill Pickle Chips
    • Loaded Sweet Potato Recipe
      Loaded Sweet Potato

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    1. Beth Phillips

      August 07, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      Love this recipe! Looking for a rice and bean combo dish. Any recommendations to adapt this recipe for rice and beans?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        August 07, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        Hi Beth, just add beans! Let me know how it turns out.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

    More about me →

    Vegan Comfort Food

    • lentil meatloaf
      Vegan Meatloaf
    • Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
      Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
    • vegan goulash recipe
      Vegan Goulash
    • vegan drunken noodles recipe
      Vegan Drunken Noodles
    • vegan chicken salad recipe
      Vegan Chicken Salad
    • BEET BURGER
      Beet Burger

    Top 50 Recipes Cookbook

    Popular

    • vegans tir fry recipe
      Vegan Stir Fry
    • mango salad
      Mango Salad
    • lentil meatloaf
      Vegan Meatloaf
    • vegan chicken salad recipe
      Vegan Chicken Salad
    • Bean Salad With Oil Free Dressing
    • vegan drunken noodles recipe
      Vegan Drunken Noodles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Affiliate Policy

    Cookbook

    • My Top 50 Recipe Cookbook!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Made with ♥️ in Arizona.

    Copyright © Kathy's Vegan Kitchen :)

    134 shares