Have you ever gone to a Mexican restaurant and wolfed  down all the rice on your plate?

That's me every time. 

Every time I go to a Mexican restaurant that serves really good rice, I'm so happy. 

I was even happier when I learned how to make restaurant style Mexican rice at home.

My recipe makes fluffy rice full of tomato and cilantro with a bit of heat.

There are very few Mexican restaurants where I live in Maine, aka the whitest state in America.  

In fact, I can only think of one Mexican place in a 75 mile radius. So, learning to make my own Mexican rice was Crucial!.)

How to Make Restaurant Style Mexican Rice At Home

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Recipe Notes

This recipe relies on a jar of salsa. Use whatever salsa you like or even a salsa you don't.

That's the reason I made this dish.

I had a jar of salsa that none of us were nuts about languishing in the fridge.  

The recipe that inspired my Mexican Rice is this one from The Kitchn. The author, Nealie Dozier, uses canned tomatoes and chops up onion and cilantro.

Because I'm lazy cook, I knew salsa would work just as well.

Nealie's recipe includes a jalapeno.

I didn't include a jalapeno because I was using a medium hot salsa.

But if you like a lot of heat, like my childhood babysitter's husband Arturo, use a hot salsa and/or toss a jalapeno into the food processor when you puree the salsa and cilantro.

Blending the salsa and cilantro together is important otherwise you're going to have rice with chunky pieces of tomato and such, which is fine, but it won't be my authentic version.

This is an easy recipe that almost makes itself but not quite.

Don't make it on a night when you just want to sit in a recliner and watch Supernatural or Pretty Little Liars while dinner is percolating on the stove.

You need to stand at the stove and keep a watchful eye, stirring every few minutes to make sure it doesn't burn side dish.

Of course, you can probably manage a margarita while you're stirring. 

How to Make Restaurant Style Mexican Rice 

Use exact measurements or your rice isn't going to turn out well cooked and fluffy.

Equipment Needed

I use a cast iron skillet. Cast iron isn't necessary but you do want a large skillet-at least 10 inches.

Saute the two cups of long grain white rice in two tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil for 8 to 10 minutes or until the rice turns a light golden brown color.

Once you've sauteed the rice and added a chopped garlic clove or two and a teaspoon of ground cumin, pour in four cups of chicken broth.

Bring to a rolling boil before reducing the heat to low, covering the rice.

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every three minutes or so to make sure the rice doesn't stick.

Then add salsa and stir well continuing to cook until all liquid has evaporated. If rice seems dry and needs to cook longer, you may need to add a bit more chicken broth or water.

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Recipe

Yield: 6 to 8 generous portions

How to Make Mexican Rice

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My recipe for Mexican rice is fluffy and packed full of warm flavor thanks to salsa and a generous handful of fresh cilantro leaves.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups salsa
• ¼ cup cilantro
• 2 cups long grain white rice
• 1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 or 2 jalapenos, diced (optional)

Instructions

1. Puree salsa and cilantro together in a food processor. Set aside.
2. In a dutch oven or skillet (I used 12-inch cast iron skillet), heat canola oil over medium heat. Pour in two cups of rice and saute, stirring frequently, about 8 to 10 minutes or until rice is a golden brown color.
3. Add garlic and saute for 30 to 60 more seconds. Add cumin and chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover skillet.
4. Cook rice for another 15 to 20 minutes stirring every few minutes to ensure rice doesn't burn. Add additional few tablespoons of water or broth if needed.
5. Add salsa to rice and stir to combine. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes or until rice has absorbed the salsa.
6. Perfect as is but serve with chopped green onion or diced avocado or a slice of lime if you'd like.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Lodge 13" Cast Iron Skillet Black
• Cuisinart Elemental 8 Cup Food Processor - Gunmetal FP-8GMTG

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Childhood Food Memories

I like to order dishes I won't typically make at home so I usually order a chimichanga (a.k.a deep-fried paradise).

When I was little and we lived in Arizona, I had a babysitter named Lola Gonzalez who was very glamorous and painted her face and she taught my mother how to make Mexican food, including chimichangas.

She had a little boy a few years younger than me named Renee who was always playing with Matchbox cars.  

I never understood that little kid's fascination with Matchbox cars until I had my own little boy kid. Then I got it.

Do you know what goes great with mexican rice? A refreshing mojito 

Your Turn:

Do you like Mexican rice? Have you ever made it at home? Do you have any good recipes for it? What's your favorite dish to order at a Mexican restaurant? 

How to Make Restaurant Style Mexican Rice

Mexican Rice