• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Gift of Hospitality logo

  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Recipes » Side Dishes » Authentic Mexican Rice

    Authentic Mexican Rice

    Published: Sep 27, 2018 · Modified: May 27, 2022 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    mexican rice garnished with limes in a green bowl
    mexican rice garnished with limes in a green bowl
    mexican rice garnished with limes in a green bowl
    mexican rice garnished with limes in a green bowl

    This Mexican rice tastes exactly like it does at Mexican restaurants! The recipe is from a friend who grew up in Mexico, and it’s perfect for pairing with Mexican food of all kinds.

    Authentic Mexican Rice with Cilantro in a green bowl, garnished with lime

    Authentic Mexican Rice is the perfect side dish for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more. It’s light and fluffy, with a gorgeous orange hue and lots of savory flavor.

    I can’t take credit for the recipe. My friend and former co-worker, Jessica, gave it to me several years ago after I basically begged her for it. She grew up in Mexico and moved here as a teenager. She also gave me the secrets to the best red pozole!

    There are two secrets to the rice: a tomato & garlic sauce made in the blender, and a packet of Goya seasoning—the one that says “con culantro y achiote” (coriando and annato).

    Read on for how to make it, or view it in slide version here!

    Authentic Mexican Rice with cilantro and lime in a green bowl

    Ingredients

    • Long-grain white rice works best for this—it makes the fluffiest rice
    • The rice will toast in canola oil before cooking
    • Roma tomatoes and garlic come together to create a sauce to cook the rice in
    • Half a packet of Goya con Culantro y Achiote creates the perfect seasoning (find it in the international foods aisle of any major grocery store)

    How to make authentic Mexican rice

    Place 2 roma tomatoes, 3 cloves of garlic, and ¾ cup water in a blender.

    tomatoes, garlic and water in a blender

    Blend on high until smooth.

    blended garlic and tomatoes in a blender

    Next, sauté the rice in hot oil for a minute. Then, add the tomato mixture and 3 cups of water.

    Here’s the secret to authentic Mexican rice: ½ teaspoon of Goya culantro y achiote seasoning, which is about ½ of the packet. While it’s tempting to just dump the whole packet in, my friend said not to use the whole packet for 2 cups of rice. I’m just following instructions!

    orange Goya Seasoning packet on a green and cream tablecloth

    You can find the seasoning packets in the international foods aisle of your grocery store. They usually come 8 packets per box, but sometimes you can find smaller quantities. Look for the orange box that says “con culantro y achiote”.

    Add the seasoning, then bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.

    After 20 minutes, take the pot off the stove and let it sit (covered) for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.

    Authentic Mexican Rice with cilantro and lime in a green bowl

    FAQs

    How can I reheat rice?
    Place 4 cups cooked rice in a large casserole dish. Pour ¼ cup water over the rice and cover the dish. Place in a 350°F oven and heat for 10–15 minutes, or until warm throughout.

    Can I make this recipe without a blender?
    You can use a food processor to combine the garlic and tomatoes if you do not have a blender.

    How do I make the rice fluffy?
    The key to fluffy rice is using a fork to gently fluff it after cooking.

    What to serve with Mexican rice

    Mexican rice is a great accompaniment to tacos, burritos, fajitas, a taco salad, and more.

    I love serving them with Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas. The rice and enchiladas, along with a salad, are a great meal to take to someone who has just had a baby, been in the hospital, or gone through another big life transition. They both can be easily transported in foil pans and easily reheated.

    bowl of mexican rice and a casserole dish with enchiladas on a cream tablecloth

    If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below, or tag me on Instagram or Pinterest. I love hearing from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Mexican rice in a green bowl, garnished with slices of lime

    Authentic Mexican Rice

    Published by Kate
    An easy-to-make, authentic recipe for Mexican rice that tastes like it does at a Mexican restaurant!
    4.67 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Side Dishes
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 275 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 small roma tomatoes
    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
    • 2 tablespoons canola oil
    • 2 cups long-grain white rice
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon Goya seasoning con culantro y achiote the orange one; about ½ of a packet
    • For garnish: fresh chopped cilantro, lime wedges

    Instructions
     

    • Roughly chop the roma tomatoes. Place the tomatoes, the garlic cloves, and ¾ cup of water in a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
    • Pour the tomato mixture into a measuring cup. You should have about 1 cup.
    • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute.
    • Add 1 cup of the tomato mixture, 3 cups of water, salt, and Goya seasoning. (If you have more than 1 cup of the tomato mixture, reduce the water slightly so that you add 4 cups of liquid total to the saucepan.) Stir to combine.
    • Bring mixture to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, stirring in any of the tomato mixture on the top of the rice, and serve.

    Notes

    Pair this rice with Sheet Pan Steak & Chicken Fajitas or Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 586mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 172IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Mexican cuisine, Mexican rice
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @giftofhospitality and let me know how you liked it!
    « Easy Chicken Enchiladas
    White Chicken Chili with White Beans »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    kate

    About Kate

    I’m a believer, wife, mom, and big fan of old cookbooks. I live in Chicago with my husband and two young sons. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time! Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Lori says

      March 11, 2023 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      love this recipe, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        March 11, 2023 at 6:05 pm

        So glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

        Reply
    2. Sarah says

      March 20, 2022 at 10:50 am

      Do you rinse the rice before cooking it?

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        March 20, 2022 at 4:01 pm

        I did not but you can if you’d like. You’ll get a slightly stickier texture if you don’t rinse it.

        Reply
    3. Cari heflin says

      June 05, 2021 at 10:04 pm

      Can this recipe be doubled by doubling all ingredients?

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        June 06, 2021 at 1:33 pm

        Yes definitely!

        Reply
    4. Arnold Mcdow says

      August 28, 2020 at 6:56 am

      Can I simply say what a comfort to find someone who truly knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you surely have the gift.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Spring Recipes

    slice of pistachio cake topped with pistachio frosting and chopped pistachios on a white plate.

    Pistachio Cake with Pudding Mix

    strawberry preserves on toast on a white plate.

    Easy Strawberry Preserves

    rhubarb sauce over ice cream in a glass parfait dish.

    Easy Rhubarb Sauce

    7 layer salad in a glass trifle dish.

    7 Layer Salad

    15 Rhubarb Desserts for Spring

    carrot muffin cut in half, with whole muffins and whole carrots in the background.

    Carrot Muffins

    More Spring Recipes Here....

    Most Popular Recipes

    slice of sausage and egg casserole on a white plate.

    Overnight Sausage and Egg Casserole

    asian cabbage salad in a blue and white decorative bowl.

    Asian Cabbage Salad

    crock pot pork chops in sauce on a white oval platter.

    Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Soup

    slice of ding dong cake in a cake pan with more ding dong cake in the pan.

    Easy Ding Dong Cake

    french toast casserole in a white casserole dish.

    Overnight French Toast Casserole

    ritz cracker sandwiches stacked on a white platter

    RITZ® Crackers Party Sandwiches

    Desserts of the Decades

    Get vintage dessert recipes from throughout the decades, straight to your inbox!

    Web Stories

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Gift of Hospitality © 2022