Mexican · Sides

Mexican rice

Draft recipe — not kitchen-tested
VegEasy

Diet: Veg · Vegan · Gluten-free

Toast long-grain rice before simmering it in a tomato and vegetable stock base. Leave the lid closed during the final rest.

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Soak, marinate, rise or chill
5 min
Total
40 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
Mexican
Course
Sides

Estimated times for the original batch. Preparation, cooking and listed waiting time are included. Batch cooking can take longer.

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Representative photograph of mexican rice
Representative photograph of mexican rice. This photograph is not a result of testing this draft. Photo credit and licence
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Ingredients

Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.

Serves 4

Choose any positive whole number of servings. Ingredients and measured amounts in steps scale together. Times, temperatures and equipment stay unchanged. For larger yields, cook separate original-size batches. Counted ingredients can become fractions; beat eggs before dividing them. Fixed correction-water checks remain fixed.

Base

Liquid

Equipment

Heavy saucepan with lid; fork; measuring jug.

Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed draft, not every substitution.

Steps

Toast · About 5 min

  1. Heat 25 ml neutral oil. Add 250 g long-grain white rice; stir for 3 minutes. Add 80 g onion, finely chopped and 8 g garlic, minced; cook for 2 minutes.

    Check: The rice smells toasted without dark edges.

Simmer · About 20 min

  1. Add 150 g passata, 400 ml vegetable stock, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp salt, 80 g peas. Bring to a boil; cover and cook on the lowest heat for 18–20 minutes.

    Check: Rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Rest · About 5 min

  1. Leave covered off the heat for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Tips

  • Use a tight lid to retain steam.
  • Stock salt varies; taste before adding the full salt amount.

Substitutions

  • Use small diced carrots instead of peas.
  • Use chicken stock for a non-vegetarian version.

Storage

  • Cool in small shallow portions and refrigerate promptly, ideally within one hour. Use within 24 hours.
  • Reheat rice only once, until steaming hot throughout. For this draft, check reheated food reaches 74°C / 165°F. Add a little water and cover while heating.

Make ahead

  • Chop onion and garlic one day ahead.
  • Cook rice close to serving; follow the rice storage guidance for leftovers.

FAQ

Why is the rice firm?

Add a small splash of boiling water, cover and cook a few minutes longer.

Can I use brown rice?

It needs more liquid and time. This measured method uses white rice.

Should I stir while it simmers?

No. Stirring can break grains and release starch.

Food safety references

FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating