Learn how to make a super basic yet classic dish: Authentic Mexican white rice! This recipe for Arroz Blanco (as we say in Spanish) is simple to make but packs a ton of flavor thanks to chopped onions and garlic. Ill even share my secret hack to get the perfect texture of Mexican white rice!
Growing up in Mexico, I remember my dad loved to have his Mexican white rice cooked in a special and specific way, which he used to call “Arroz a la Morisqueta” since that’s how they call it in the region alongside the Gulf of Mexico, where my hometown of Tampico is located.
Now that I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I find myself always coming back to these memories and now I make my arroz blanco the same way!
I do want to say this is not to be confused with another dish thats also called “Morisqueta” on the west coast, particularly in the state of Michoacán. That other dish has rice and beans mixed with other spices, similar to the Cuban dish “Moros y Cristianos”.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
The most popular type of rice used in Mexico is a medium long grain rice. Two types are cultivated in Mexico, Sinaloa (long grain) and Morelos (short grain). Rice is served as a food, in and of itself, in Mexican meals.
Different Ways To Prepare Mexican White Rice
The preparation of this rice varies from region to region but the end result is the same. The way I cook my rice might not be the same as yours but it will still have those amazing flavors.
There are also little things you can switch out or add to rice while its cooking to change up the flavors a little bit. You can try cooking the rice using lard instead of vegetable oil like they do in some areas of Tecamachalco, Puebla. Some people like to add a dab of butter or margarine to the top of the rice during the final cooking to the rice.
You can also chop the onion and garlic, then fry it with the rice instead of placing those two ingredients in the blender with water. When you fry the onion and garlic it gives the rice a differnt flavor.
This just brought back the memory of a farm wedding I attended in a small town in Puebla, where the mole poblano was served with a side of delicious white rice that was cooked in lard. Now, whenever I make mole poblano at home, I add a dab of lard to the vegetable oil that I use to fry the rice in.
It was delicious and I enjoyed it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Rice
Before I share my rice recipe, here are a few questions Ive been asked about homemade Mexican white rice.
My Mom Teaches Me How to Make MEXICAN / SPANISH RICE (Traditional & Easy Recipe)
FAQ
Is Mexican rice different?
Is jasmine or basmati rice better for Mexican food?
Where does Mexico get its rice from?
Why is Mexican rice good?
What is Mexican rice?
Mexican rice (sometimes referred to as Spanish rice or red rice in Tex–Mex cuisine), also known as arroz a la mexicana, arroz mexicano, sopa de arroz, or arroz rojo in Spanish, is a Mexican side dish made from white rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and perhaps other ingredients.
What type of rice should I use?
The best rices to eat are whole-grain brown, red, black, or wild rice, as they are an excellent choice due to the amount of antioxidants and fiber they contain.
How to make Mexican rice?
To make Mexican rice, you will need to start by cooking the white rice with oil before adding a tomato based salsa and chicken stock. After that, the process is pretty standard for cooking rice and doesn’t take long at all! The result is a beautiful red colored rice that is full of flavor.
Is Mexican rice a side dish?
In Mexico, however, no one calls it “Mexican Rice”, instead it is just rice or “arroz rojo.” It is a perfect side dish to go with other meals, because it is nice and filling and tastes great too. How do you make Mexican Rice?