Classic Mexican Rice

5 from 7 votes

Classic Mexican Rice is usually fried before adding any broth or liquid to further cook the rice. This method is incredibly easy, resulting in a rice that's perfectly fluffy, not soupy. Tomatoes and onions get pureed before adding to the rice so the flavor really gets into the rice. The jalapeno chiles add brightness and tang, not too much heat so be sure not to leave them out. If you're making a Mexican feast, feel free to make a day or two ahead of time. In fact, I recommend it so the flavors become even more pronounced.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: servings

Calories: 177kcal

Author: Sally Humeniuk

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cored and quartered
1 onion, chopped coarse
3 jalapeno chiles, divided
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ tsps salt
½ cup fresh cilantro, minced
Lime wedges

Instructions

With oven rack placed in the middle position, preheat oven to 350F degrees. Process 2 tomatoes and 1 onion in a food processor until smooth, about 15 seconds. Transfer mixture to a 4-cup liquid measuring cup and spoon off excess as needed, usually about ½ cup, until mixture measures 2 cups. (The excess tomato/onion mixture can be incorporated elsewhere in your menu like added to black beans before heating, etc. See notes for more ideas.)
Remove ribs and seeds from 2 jalapenos and discard; mince and set aside. Mince the remaining 1 jalapeno, leaving the ribs and seeds in it and set that one aside separate from the first 2 without the seeds/ribs.
Heat ⅓ cup oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Drop 3 or 4 grains of rice into the oil; if grains sizzle, oil is ready. Add 2 cups rice and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. The oil will become quite "fizzy", which is normal.
Reduce heat to medium. Add 4 garlic cloves and the 2 seeded jalapeños and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 ½ minutes. Stir in tomato-onion mixture, 2 cups broth, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt and bring to a boil. Cover, transfer pot to the oven and bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, 30 to 35 minutes, stirring well after about 15 minutes.
Remove pot from oven and fold in ½ cup cilantro and the last jalapeño, the one with the ribs and seeds (This will not be too spicy but if you want to add half the jalapeno, by all means). Serve with the lime wedges.

Notes

The excess tomato and onion mixture is great added to other parts of your menu if making a Mexican feast. Add to canned, drained black beans in a small skillet and season with chili pepper, cumin and jalapenos. Heat and serve. If you're making meat or vegetable fajitas or tacos, the mixture adds just that much more flavor.
Do not skip the tomato paste or try to substitute tomato sauce, etc. I've done that when I was out of paste and the flavor is more flat and bland. Tomato paste adds just the right tang the recipe needs.
Though pre-frying the rice before baking creates a wonderful taste and texture in the dish, you can reduce the oil to about 1/4 cup and just cook everything in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Make sure to butter the glass dish before baking. The flavor will be different and not as classic but is still delicious.
Experiment with a few other add-ins before baking your rice. Sliced green Manzanilla olives are incredible. Also try 1 cup black or pinto beans, or uncooked, peeled and deveined shrimp.
This rice is even better the next day so Classic Mexican Rice is a good one to make the day before serving to save time or just to have on hand during the week.

Nutrition