How to make Mexican Rice

How do you keep Mexican rice from getting mushy?

How to make Mexican Rice

  1. Rinse and drain rice thoroughly. This is crucial to remove the extra starch from the rice so it doesn’t cook up sticky and mushy.
  2. Use basmati rice for best results. Other types of rice will likely stick together and can easily get mushy (see above section).

Why is Mexican rice different?

What is this? Mexican rice, meanwhile, takes on a unique color thanks to the inclusion of cumin. Likewise, they have different mouthfeels. Spanish rice tends to be more firm, whereas Mexican rice is softer and almost melts in your mouth.

Why does my Mexican rice come out hard?

Maybe you took the lid off of the pot too early, letting the steam escape. Maybe you didn’t add enough liquid to begin with. Whatever the case, if your rice is looking dried out, or the texture is still hard or crunchy when all the liquid has been absorbed, add up to ½ cup water and return to a simmer with the lid on.

What rice is traditionally used in Mexican food?

Mexican rice is a side dish typically made from white rice, tomato, garlic, and onion. It is sometimes called Spanish rice, red rice, or arroz rojo (translated as “red rice”). In Mexico, the dish is typically called Mexican arroz or arroz rojo.

Why does my Spanish rice come out sticky?

Why is my Spanish Rice Sticky? If you don’t take the time to cook the rice in oil until translucent you’ll have the starch that is coating the rice create a sticky texture instead of a fluffy one.

Are Spanish and Mexican rice the same?

Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice or red rice (Spanish: arroz rojo), is a Mexican side dish or an ingredient in other dishes made from white rice, tomatoes, garlic, onions, etc. The name Spanish rice is only used in the US; it does not originate in Spain.

Why does my Spanish rice come out crunchy?

The main reason why your rice turns crunchy is the less water used for the steaming or boiling process. It doesn’t matter what technique you are using for the rice cooking process; it will turn crunchy if you don’t add enough water to the pot.

Is Spanish rice and Mexican rice the same?

Some people call this Spanish Rice, but Mexican Rice and Spanish Rice are actually not the same thing. While they do use some of the same ingredients, Spanish Rice uses saffron threads and has more of a yellow color. Whether you call it Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice, you’ll always call it delicious!

Whats the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?

According to the Latin food brand, Spanish rice is a little heartier and firmer, while Mexican rice is softer, so that it “melts in your mouth.” Either way, they’re both delicious in their own way, and both are a welcome addition to any Taco Tuesday menu.

What is the best kind of Mexican rice?

The best kind of Mexican rice, to me at least, is infused with a complex tomato flavor and each grain has just the right amount of bite; no mush, please! (Cheese dip optional but not required.) A few years ago I finally found a recipe that came close to what I was looking for.

Can you cook Mexican rice in an Instant Pot?

Restaurant-style Mexican rice is one of our most popular weeknight side dishes. Why? The fragrant, lightly spiced grains make a delicious bed for everything from grilled chicken to slow-cooked beans. And while it isn’t hard to make on the stovetop, sometimes you need a quick shortcut, which is where the Instant Pot comes into play.

How do you cook rice and jalapeno peppers?

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeños and cook until softened, about 2 minutes, lowering the heat as needed.

How do you cook rice with tomatoes and cumin?

(Reserve any excess tomato mixture for another use, such as Tomato Sauce .) Stir in the chicken broth, salt, and cumin and bring to a boil over medium heat. Meanwhile, toast the rice. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted and golden, about 5 minutes.