Description
This Authentic Mexican Rice recipe delivers a flavorful and aromatic side dish featuring long grain white rice sautéed with onions, garlic, and fresh tomatoes, then simmered in broth with tomato paste for a rich, savory taste. Finished with tender peas for added texture and color, this classic Mexican rice is perfect to accompany a variety of Mexican meals or enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Rice Mixture
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 1 Roma tomato, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 ½ cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
Additional
- ½ cup frozen peas, thawed
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer or colander and rinse under running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well.
- Sauté Rice: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or pot over low-medium heat. Add the rice and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice starts to turn a light golden brown, which enhances its flavor and texture.
- Add Aromatics and Tomato: Stir in the finely diced onion, diced Roma tomato, minced garlic, and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt. Sauté for 30 seconds to combine flavors and soften the vegetables slightly.
- Incorporate Broth and Tomato Paste: Pour in the broth and add the tomato paste. Stir continuously until the tomato paste is fully dissolved and the mixture is evenly combined.
- Simmer the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the rice cook undisturbed for 20 minutes, allowing it to absorb the liquid completely and become tender.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pot from heat, uncover, and let the rice sit for 5 minutes to finish steaming. Then, gently fold in the thawed peas with a fork without stirring vigorously, to avoid mashing the rice. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice is essential to remove excess starch for light, fluffy rice.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent rice from scorching during sautéing.
- Frozen peas add a pleasant pop of color and subtle sweetness; fresh peas can be used if preferred.
- Other broth options like vegetable broth keep the dish vegetarian, while chicken broth adds more depth.
- Letting the rice rest after cooking helps achieve the perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
