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Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo)

A close-up of vibrant orange Mexican rice mixed with green peas, topped with fresh cilantro.
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This is the simple, authentic Mexican rice recipe you need for fluffy, perfectly seasoned rice that tastes like your favorite Tex-Mex spot. It is a quick side dish for tacos or enchiladas.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice turns light golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds flavor.
  2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes until the onion softens.
  3. Stir in the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice), chicken broth, salt, cumin, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Do not stir during this time.
  5. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the heat. If using, gently stir in the frozen peas and carrots mix. Keep the pan covered and let it stand off the heat for another 10 minutes to steam. This ensures fluffy Mexican rice.
  6. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • If you want a smoother, more restaurant-style sauce base, blend the diced tomatoes, onion, and garlic with 1/2 cup of the chicken broth before adding them to the pan.
  • Use chicken broth instead of water for a deeper flavor profile in this Spanish rice recipe.
  • For a quick rice side dish, you can use pre-cooked rice, but the texture will change significantly. Stick to the raw rice method for the best results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/mexican-rice-easy-authentic-arroz-rojo-recipe/