Super Easy Mexican Rice Recipe

This super easy Mexican rice recipe is fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect side dish for all your favorite Mexican meals. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this homemade Mexican rice tastes just like the restaurant version but even better!

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Rice

• Fluffy and never mushy
• No chopping required
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Tastes like restaurant-style Mexican rice
• Perfect for meal prep

Ingredients needed:

• white rice
• Sazon Goya with culantro and achiote packet
• chicken bouillon
• vegetable oil
• water

This simple combination is what gives this rice its signature flavor and vibrant orange color without needing tomato sauce.

Here is a photo of the chicken bouillon I use. I always use the Knorr brand.

How to make it

Heat up the oil in a pot over medium heat. Then add the rice.

You’re going to toast the rice over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes or until the rice turns a golden color as shown below.

Now that the rice is toasted go ahead and add the water, sazon goya and chicken bouillon.

Stir and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Then reduce heat to low and cover.

Cook for 25 minutes.

When the rice is done fluff it with a fork.

This easy rice is yummy alongside pinto beans.

Rice and pinto beans are the perfect sides to go with any Mexican meal.

Why is my Mexican rice mushy?

Sometimes Mexican rice turns out soft or sticky instead of fluffy. This usually happens if there is too much liquid or if the rice wasn’t toasted long enough before adding the broth.

To prevent mushy rice:

• Toast the rice until lightly golden
• Use the correct rice-to-liquid ratio
• Keep the lid on while it simmers
• Avoid stirring too much

How Do You Make Mexican Rice Fluffy?

Fluffy Mexican rice comes down to technique. Toasting the rice in oil before adding liquid helps seal the grains and keeps them separate.

Once the liquid is added, let it simmer undisturbed. Avoid lifting the lid too often, as this releases steam and affects the texture.

After cooking, let the rice rest for 5–10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

What Goes With Mexican Rice?

Mexican rice pairs perfectly with many of your favorite dishes, including:

• Carne asada
• Mexican pinto beans
• Barbacoa
• Enchiladas
• Tacos
• Mexican beef stew

Frequently asked questions

Do You Have to Rinse the Rice?

This recipe does not require rinsing the rice. Toasting the rice in oil before adding the liquid helps keep the grains separate and prevents it from becoming mushy.

Some people prefer to rinse rice to remove excess starch, but with this method it is not necessary.

Can I use chicken broth instead of water?

Yes. Broth adds extra flavor and makes the rice even more delicious.

Can I freeze Mexican rice?

Yes. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

How do you keep rice from getting mushy?

In order to keep your rice from getting mushy it’s important that you don’t over stir it.

Only stir it once after adding the liquid and seasonings to it.

Another way to keep rice from getting mushy is using the right amount of water.

Using too much water will result in mushy rice.

So like I said earlier if cooking 1 cup of rice use 2 cups of water. If cooking 2 cups of rice use 4 cups of water and so forth.

Looking for more rice recipes? Here are a few of my favorites!

• Authentic Mexican rice
• Cilantro lime rice
• Arroz con pollo

If you’re looking for an easy, reliable Mexican rice recipe that turns out fluffy every time, this one won’t disappoint.

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