17 Delicious Mexican Rice Recipes for Flavorful Meals

Are you looking for a delicious way to add flavor to your meals with Mexican rice? I’m offering a simple and flavorful recipe to make authentic Mexican rice right in your own kitchen.

Mexican rice is a beloved side dish that brings vibrant flavor to any meal. I’ve always loved how its warm, smoky aroma can turn a simple dinner into a special occasion. Over the years, I’ve perfected my recipe to ensure every grain is fluffy, flavorful, and full of authentic taste.

There’s something magical about stirring together just a few ingredients and watching them transform into a rich, colorful dish. I’m confident that with the right techniques, you can create restaurant-quality Mexican rice right in your own kitchen. It’s easier than you think and incredibly satisfying to make from scratch.

Once you learn the secrets to perfectly toasted rice and flavorful simmering, this dish will quickly become a staple in your home. Get ready to impress family and friends with a side that’s simple to prepare but packed with vibrant and bold flavors.

1. Authentic Mexican Rice

This authentic Mexican rice is a vibrant, flavorful side that’s surprisingly simple to make at home, using just rice, tomato sauce, and a few fresh ingredients. Toast the rice to develop a rich, nutty flavor, then simmer it with tomato bouillon, garlic, onion, and water until fluffy and perfectly colored—ready to spice up any Mexican meal!

Read the Recipe: Authentic Mexican Rice

2. Mexican Rice

This Mexican Rice recipe is a quick, flavorful side dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. The rice is fluffy and seasoned with garlic salt and cumin, then simmered with onion, broth, and tomato sauce for a delicious, restaurant-style flavor everyone will love!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice

3. How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican rice, made with just a few simple ingredients like white rice, tomato sauce, garlic, and chili powder. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, golden side dish perfect for Taco Tuesday or any Mexican meal, sharing a family tradition straight from a cherished home recipe!

Read the Recipe: How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice

4. Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe

This Homemade Spanish Rice is a quick, flavorful side dish made by browning long-grain rice in oil, then simmering it with tomato sauce, chicken broth, garlic, and spices until tender. It’s so easy that it takes under 10 minutes to prep and pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, or any Mexican meal, making it a favorites favorite in many homes!

Read the Recipe: Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe

5. Authentic Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo)

This Authentic Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo) is a vibrant, fluffy dish cooked in chicken stock and tomato juice, giving it that beautiful red hue! With simple ingredients like long grain rice, tomato sauce, and chicken bouillon, plus a few optional aromatics, you’ll achieve perfect, flavorful rice every single time using my fool-proof tips passed down from my Abuela.

Read the Recipe: Authentic Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo)

6. Homemade Mexican Rice Recipe (Easy!)

This Homemade Mexican Rice is a light, fluffy, and flavorful side that tastes just like restaurant-style, perfect for pairing with any Mexican dish. With an easy, no-chopping “lazy day” version, you can whip up this addicting rice in no time, making it your go-to for every celebration or weeknight dinner!

Read the Recipe: Homemade Mexican Rice Recipe (Easy!)

7. Authentic Mexican Rice [www.isabeleats.com]

Prepare authentic Mexican rice by rinsing and toasting long-grain rice in oil until lightly golden. Then, stir in onion, tomato, garlic, and salt, followed by broth and tomato paste, cooking until fluffy and flavorful—perfectly pairs with your favorite Mexican dishes!

Read the Recipe: Authentic Mexican Rice [www.isabeleats.com]

8. Mexican Rice [www.food.com]

Get ready to enjoy fluffy, perfectly seasoned Mexican rice that tastes just like your favorite restaurant dish! This recipe combines pureed tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos with rinsed rice, cooked in a savory blend of broth and seasonings until tender and dry, with just a hint of tomato flavor. Ending with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, it’s a vibrant and satisfying side that’s simple to make and full of flavor!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice [www.food.com]

9. Perfect Mexican Rice

This Perfect Mexican Rice is a fluffy, flavorful dish that captures the vibrant taste of your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep, you’ll cook fragrant rice with fresh tomatoes, Anaheim peppers, and a blend of spices, creating a delightful side that’s perfect to serve with beans, meats, or your favorite Mexican dishes!

Read the Recipe: Perfect Mexican Rice

10. Mexican Rice [thewoksoflife.com]

Get ready to enjoy flavor-packed Mexican rice that starts with golden, toasted rice cooked in oil until irresistibly crispy. Then, simmer it in a tasty mixture of tomato sauce, spices, and chicken stock for about 20 minutes, creating a perfect side to any Mexican feast!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice [thewoksoflife.com]

11. Easy Mexican Rice

This easy Mexican rice is packed with authentic flavor and comes together in just over 30 minutes, making it a perfect side for your favorite Mexican dishes. Simply toast the rice until golden, then simmer it with broth, tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and spices, fluff the fluffy grains with a fork, and stir in fresh cilantro for a vibrant finish!

Read the Recipe: Easy Mexican Rice

12. Mexican Rice [downshiftology.com]

Transform plain white rice into a vibrant, flavorful side by sautéing chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a jalapeno for a spicy kick. Then, simply toast the rice, simmer it in tomato sauce and broth, and finish with a sprinkle of cilantro for that perfect, zesty Mexican rice!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice [downshiftology.com]

13. Mexican Rice [www.thepioneerwoman.com]

This Mexican Rice is a flavorful side dish made with long grain rice, onions, garlic, canned tomatoes and chiles, cumin, and chicken broth, creating a vibrant red color and rich taste. Simply cook the ingredients together until the rice is fluffy and tender, then sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro for a fresh finishing touch—perfect alongside chicken enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice [www.thepioneerwoman.com]

14. Mexican Rice [damndelicious.net]

Imagine a restaurant-style Mexican rice that you can whip up effortlessly in just one pot—perfect for serving alongside tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. The rice soaks up a flavor-packed tomato and cumin broth, giving it a rich, savory taste with a hint of chili heat, all while keeping cleanup simple and satisfying!

Read the Recipe: Mexican Rice [damndelicious.net]

15. Instant Pot Mexican Rice

This Instant Pot Mexican Rice is a fluffy, tender side dish packed with rich flavors from tomato, garlic, onion, and tomato bouillon. Simply rinse the rice, sauté until golden, add the sauce, spices, and water, then cook under pressure for a few minutes—giving you authentic, delicious Mexican rice with zero fuss!

Read the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Rice

16. Easy Authentic Mexican Rice

This easy Mexican rice comes together quickly with onion and garlic powder cooked in canola oil, then simmered with tomato sauce and water until tender. For extra flavor and color, you can toss in bell peppers or fresh tomatoes before simmering, or use chicken stock instead of water for a richer taste.

Read the Recipe: Easy Authentic Mexican Rice

17. Cilantro Lime Rice

Imagine a bright, zesty side dish that pairs perfectly with tacos, burritos, or any Mexican feast—Cilantro Lime Rice! Just combine rice, green chiles, cilantro, butter, garlic salt, broth, and lime juice in a saucepan, then let it simmer effortlessly for about 20-25 minutes until fluffy and flavorful, ready to serve with a squeeze of fresh lime on top.

Read the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice