Description
A simple and flavorful Mexican rice recipe that combines aromatic spices and tomato sauce with long-grain rice, creating a perfect side dish for any Mexican-inspired meal. The rice is sautéed to a translucent state before simmering in chicken broth and spices, resulting in a fluffy, savory dish ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock or broth
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice thoroughly in a mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. This step removes excess starch and helps keep the cooked rice from becoming fluffy and non-mushy.
- Cook Rice: Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the rice grains become translucent, which helps develop a nutty flavor.
- Add Ingredients: Pour in the chicken stock or broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic salt, and ground cumin. Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 20 minutes without lifting the lid. This allows the liquid to absorb fully and the rice to cook evenly.
- Fluff and Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 2-3 minutes. Then, uncover and use a fork to fluff the rice gently, separating the grains before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice is essential to avoid clumping and ensures fluffier rice.
- Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering to prevent steam from escaping.
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make the dish vegetarian.
- For extra flavor, add finely chopped onions or garlic when sautéing the rice.
- If you prefer spicier rice, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican rice, easy side dish, long-grain rice, tomato rice, Mexican cuisine, rice recipe
