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    Home » Rice & Grains » Authentic Mexican Style Rice

    Authentic Mexican Style Rice

    Published: Feb 11, 2013 · Modified: Jun 23, 2022 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This is an authentic Mexican-style rice recipe done in an authentic American way. It's just how it would be made in almost all California Mexican restaurants and can easily be replicated at home.

    A yellow dish holds Authentic Mexican Style Rice.

    The Story Behind Authentic Mexican Style Rice

    I may be a recipe developer, but I don’t know everything there is about cooking. I do a lot of research, read a lot of cookbooks and have made a few “misses”.

    Making Authentic Mexican-style rice was one of my “misses”. My rice would always turn out mushy, overcooked, and soggy.

    My mother-in-law Gail would make it and it was good.

    She would wash the rice well, then lay it out on paper towels to dry, it was a time-consuming operation.

    And it was not the same as I would get in most American Mexican restaurants. Of course, Gail used Uncle Ben's and I'm not sure that was even the right rice for the dish.

    Now, I’m not saying that most American Mexican restaurants make “authentic” Mexican food, as you would find in Mexico, but the rice served has a certain taste and texture, and it works well with the spicier entrees.

    "This is an authentic American version of authentic Mexican rice"

    It’s what I’m looking for.

    A plate with homemade tacos along side some Mexican Style Rice.

    My granddaughter came to visit one summer, she was dating a boy from Mexico and his mother taught her the way she made “authentic Mexican Broken Rice” … that’s the whole thing, the rice has to “break” and no longer be a whole grain of rice.

    And that, my friends, is why you have to fry it in oil.

    You have to fry it until it’s starting to crisp around the edges, not turn brown, but just crisp. And with Cara's version, no rinsing!

    Authentic Mexican Style Rice in a dish with peppers and tortilla cooker in the background.

    Authentic Mexican Style Rice 

    This rice goes perfectly with all Mexican dishes, including Chili Rellenos and  Chicken Chili Verde Con Rojos!

    LindySez:  If you were having a mild entree, you could kick this up a notch or two by adding some diced jalapeños, or using some salsa…even adding diced green peppers that you could sauté with the onions and rice, but then it’s getting more like Spanish rice …but it would still be very tasty and the technique would work … it’s all in the fry!

    This recipe calls for tomato sauce but I prefer to use this spicy Mexican tomato sauce. Gives it a bit more oomph. 

    The can of tomato sauce I use in my Mexican style rice.
    A yellow dish holds Authentic Mexican Style Rice.

    Authentic Mexican Style Rice

    LindySez
    This is an authentic Mexican-style rice recipe done in an authentic American way. It's just how it would be made in almost all California Mexican restaurants and can easily be replicated at home.
    2.56 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Rice & Grains, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 250 kcal
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    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil I used grapeseed
    • 1 cup long-grain white rice
    • ¼ cup finely diced onion white is preferred
    • ¼ cup tomato sauce
    • 1 ¾ cup low-salt chicken broth or water
    • Salt to taste
    • Cotia cheese optional

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a saucepan with a lid, when hot, add the rice and the onion. Sauté until the rice just begins to turn opaque, about 5 minutes; add the tomato sauce and broth or water, along with about ½ teaspoon salt. Stir, cover, lower the heat, and cook for 25 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed (don’t peek, just let it cook); uncover, fluff with a fork, taste and adjust salt. Top with Cotia cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 378mgFiber: 1g
    Keyword broken rice, Mexican red rice, Mexican restaurant rice, rice tomato sauce
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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    Welcome to LindySez! I'm Lindy, a self-taught home chef with a passion for helping others feel confident in the kitchen. I believe cooking should be approachable, fun, and above all, delicious!

    My mission is to guide anyone—whether you grew up on fast food or rarely cooked at home—to create amazing meals with ease. Through simple recipes and practical tips, I’ll show you how to turn everyday ingredients into flavorful dishes.

    Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating—let’s make it enjoyable together!

    More about me →

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