Description
This easy and flavorful Mexican Rice recipe combines lightly toasted rice with sautéed onions, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeno, simmered in a savory tomato sauce and broth blend. Perfect as a side dish, it’s brightened with fresh cilantro and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
Rice and Seasonings
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Kosher salt, to taste
Liquids and Garnish
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- Optional: finely chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Wash Rice: Rinse the long grain white rice thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Drain well to remove excess starch.
- Cook Veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and finely diced jalapeno. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the onions become translucent and the vegetables soften slightly.
- Toast Rice: Add the drained rice to the saucepan with the vegetables. Stir frequently and cook for about 2 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted and turns a golden brown color. This enhances the nutty flavor of the rice.
- Simmer: Stir in the cumin, kosher salt to taste, tomato sauce, and vegetable or chicken broth. Mix everything thoroughly, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the rice simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Fluff and Garnish: Remove the saucepan from heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes. Then remove the lid and use a fork to fluff the rice gently. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Washing the rice well prevents it from becoming sticky and helps achieve fluffy grains.
- Adjust the jalapeno quantity to control spiciness based on your preference.
- You can substitute tomato sauce with crushed tomatoes for a chunkier texture.
- Use vegetable broth to keep the dish vegetarian; chicken broth adds a richer flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth to maintain moisture.
