Recipe For Spanish Rice And Beans

Our easy Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice rivals anything you can get in a restaurant. It has the perfect consistency and just the right amount of seasoning.

Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

This Mexican Rice is slightly on the dry side, which is just how Mexican restaurants serve their sides of rice. It isn't wet, clumpy, or sticky like some homemade Mexican rice recipes can be, and it's definitely more authentic than anything you can buy in a box at the grocery store! A good Mexican Rice has the perfect texture and is rich in flavor. That is exactly what the result will be when you make this recipe.

Have you wondered what the difference is between Mexican rice and Spanish rice? The terms are both used to describe the same basic dish. Most Spanish rice and Mexican rice recipes have the same ingredients – rice, a tomato based sauce, garlic, and chicken broth. There can be some minor variations in the seasonings used and additions made to the dish, like onions and peppers. Most restaurants call this dish Mexican rice on their menus.

Recipe Tips

The secret to a delicious Mexican rice is all in the way you cook it. Here are a few tips and tricks to get it right every time:

Mexican rice needs to be fried in oil and browned BEFORE you add the chicken broth and tomato sauce. As a result, the rice really absorbs the flavors yet has the perfect consistency.
Mix in the chopped cilantro after cooking. If you add it before, the cilantro gets brown in color and wilted. When you toss it in after, it stays bright and fresh.
Use this stove top method. I have tried different methods in my rice cooker, but it just doesn't turn out the same.
For a spicier taste, your favorite medium or hot salsa can replace the tomato sauce.
Long grain white rice is the best rice to use for this dish.

A plate of enchiladas with Mexican rice topped with cilantro and refried beans on the side

Is Mexican Rice Gluten Free?

Yes! This Mexican Rice recipe can easily be made gluten free. Use a gluten free chicken broth, like Swanson's Chicken Broth, for gluten free Mexican Rice.

Mexican Rice and Beans

What about the beans? Mexican Rice and Beans are a match made in heaven! This recipe goes hand in hand with our Restaurant Style Refried Beans. Also, be sure to include our Best Guacamole EVER, and our fresh Homemade Salsa. With all of these recipes combined, you will have your sides covered for your next big fiesta! Your friends will think you had it all catered in from your favorite Mexican joint. We have tons of great Mexican recipes here on Favorite Family Recipes. Our Mom is what you would call a Mexican food addict, she would eat it for every meal if she had the choice. Because of this, we learned at an early age how to make all different kinds of Mexican dishes. Consequently, as we got older and more adventurous, our Mexican food recipe collection grew even more.

A square white dish filled with restaurant style Mexican rice

What to pair with Mexican Rice

Oh, the delicious possibilities are endless! This Mexican Rice tastes so good with any burrito, taco, chimichanga, enchilada, quesadilla, taquito, or flauta you can think of. Here are a few of our favorite Mexican recipes to get the wheels turning. Try one of these or add it to your own favorite Mexican dish.

Steak Street Tacos
Shredded Beef Taquitos
Sweet Pork Baked Burritos
Cheese Enchiladas
Chicken Flautas
Crisp Bean Burrito

A Mexican dinner setting consisting of enchiladas with rice and beans on the side and chips and salsa

Mexican Rice Recipe Reviews

My husband is very picky about his Mexican rice, and his love for this dish makes it a staple on the family menu plan. In addition to his 5-star review, we've received many rave reviews from people who have made and loved this rice recipe. You can read them all in the comments below, however here are few of our favorites:

"I've made this about five times now and I love it! The last two times I was out of tomato sauce so I substituted half a cup of Chipotle Lime Salsa (Aldi brand). Wow! This made it even better. I love how easy it is to make and how beautiful it looks and smells when the time is up and you lift the lid." – Ed

"This is EXACTLY the rice I have been spending YEARS trying to figure out. Everything was absolutely perfect. Flavor, texture, color, all completely spot on! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! You really just upped my taco game!" – Elizabeth

"I am a Puerto Rican woman married to a hard core Mexican man. I've tried just about every recipe available for this rice and it never quite worked. I made this today and IT'S PERFECT!! This is the way my MIL makes it. It is as authentic as it can get! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the recipe I will make my family from now on." – Patty

We are so happy to see this has become a family favorite for so many!

How to Make Mexican Rice

Mexican Rice in a serving bowl with a side of chips and salsa.

Our Restaurant Style Mexican Rice rivals anything you can get in a restaurant. It has the perfect consistency and just the right amount of seasoning.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total: 25 minutes

Serves: 6

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup long grain rice uncooked
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup tomato sauce
14 ounces chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped

Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the rice and gently stir until rice begins to lightly brown. Add the garlic, salt, and cumin and stir the rice til it looks golden.
Add the tomato sauce and chicken broth and turn the heat up to medium high. Bring the mix to a boil then turn the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from heat and fluff with a fork, then stir in chopped cilantro.