Mama’s Easy Mexican Rice
Mama’s Easy Mexican Rice is a simple variation of traditional Mexican rice. This safflower rice recipe requires no chopping, making it a quick and easy side dish recipe for weeknight meals. This tasty rice comes together in minutes, and is perfectly cooked every time. Its subtle flavor pairs wonderfully with Mexican food, and almost any style of main dish or protein.
To learn how to make this quick and easy rice recipe, see the printable recipe card below. Take a look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions for a more detailed explanation of this recipe. For other recipe variations including traditional Mexican rice, vegetarian or vegan recipe versions, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
MAMA’S EASY MEXICAN RICE
Ingredients
Instructions
- To a microwave safe measuring cup (2-cup), add water, and heat in microwave until almost at a boil. Add bouillon (powder), stir to combine, and set aside.
- To a 2 quart saucepan, add butter, and olive oil, and melt over medium heat. Add rice, and toss to coat in oil/butter mixture. Sauté until lightly toasted and golden (about 5 minutes).
- Add bouillon to the rice, and stir to combine. Then add salt, pepper, and azafran (safflower), stir again, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove from heat (do NOT uncover), and let rest covered for 10 minutes. Uncover, and fluff with a fork. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- For recipe variations (including vegetarian & vegan), visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips on the website.
- Azafran (safflower threads) is the Mexican version of saffron (but MUCH more affordable).
- Makes 4 servings (¾ cup per serving).
Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
STEP 1
To a microwave safe measuring cup (2-cup), add 2 cups filtered water, and heat in microwave until almost at a boil. Add 2 teaspoons Knorr chicken flavored bouillon (powder), stir to combine, and set aside.
STEP 2
To a 2 quart saucepan, add ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, and ½ tablespoon olive oil, and melt over medium heat. Add 1 cup extra long grain rice, and toss to coat in oil/butter mixture. Sauté until lightly toasted and golden (about 5 minutes).
STEP 3
Add hot bouillon to the toasted rice, and stir to combine. Then add ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon azafran (safflower). Stir again, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Note: Azafran (safflower threads) is the Mexican version of saffron (but MUCH more affordable).
STEP 4
After 15 minutes, turn off heat (do NOT uncover, but leave on the stovetop), and let rest covered for 10 minutes. Uncover, and fluff with a fork.
SERVING
Serve immediately, and enjoy!
VIDEO
How to Make Mama’s Easy Mexican Rice!
(VIDEO COMING SOON)
Blog Comments & Tips
Perfectly cooked rice every time!
Mama’s Easy Mexican Rice is my go-to rice recipe. I make it when I need a side dish to accompany Mexican food, or any type of meal (no matter the style of cuisine). Growing up, I remember my mother and my grandmother making many variations of this safflower rice recipe. The technique and base ingredients never changed, only the seasonings.
Although traditional Mexican rice typically includes onions, garlic, tomatoes, and sometimes peppers, my mom came up with this easy version of a neutral flavored rice that could go with Mexican food, as well as almost any type of cuisine. In this recipe, both the Knorr chicken flavored bouillon (powder) and azafran (safflower) give it that Mexican flavor.
Azafran is the Mexican version of saffron (but MUCH more affordable).
Similar to saffron rice, the safflower gives it a warm golden color with bits of orangey-rust colored threads speckled throughout the rice. The chicken bouillon powder is commonly used in many Mexican dishes. Although you can use other flavors (including vegetable), the chicken bouillon gives this rice a more authentic taste.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 4 tips to making perfectly cooked Mama’s Easy Mexican Rice:
I have always used Mahatma extra long grain rice when I make this side dish. I would not recommend using brown rice for this recipe.
For the most authentic flavor, use Knorr chicken flavored bouillon (powder) and azafran (safflower threads). Although chicken broth or stock will work, it gives it a completely different flavor than the bouillon powder.
Cooking time is key in this recipe. Simmer covered for exactly 15 minutes, then without touching the lid (i.e., keep it covered), remove from heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes.
As soon as your 10 minutes of resting time is up, fluff the rice with a fork. If you leave it covered and don’t fluff, it will become gluey and gummy.
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it Vegetarian: Use vegetable bouillon powder instead of the chicken flavor.
Make it Vegan or Dairy Free: Replace butter with plant based butter (or use a total of 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil instead). Then use vegetable bouillon powder instead of the chicken flavor.
Make it Authentic Mexican Rice: Sauté ½ cup chopped onion, and 2 chopped garlic cloves. Then add chopped Roma tomatoes (2-3 small), and sauté until cooked through (about 4-5 minutes). Add rice, and sauté. Then add 2 cups bouillon, kosher salt, ground black pepper, diced chiles (mild chiles or jalapeno for heat), and diced green or red peppers if desired. Bring to boil, simmer for 15 minutes, remove from heat and rest covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and serve.
Make it More Neutral Flavor: Replace the chicken bouillon powder with chicken stock/broth or vegetable stock/broth. Omit the azafran (safflower), and cook as directed.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Pimp My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to leave the saucepan covered while it’s resting for the last 10 minutes. If you lift the lid, all the steam will escape and prevent the rice from continuing to cook properly.
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