Mexican Brown Rice is a delicious and nutritious side dish to accompany your next Mexican-inspired meal. Mexican Brown Rice recipe is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household.
The combination of brown rice, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices creates a delicious side dish. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! Serve it alongside your favorite Mexican main course for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Key Takeaways:
- Nutritious and Flavorful: Mexican Brown Rice is a wholesome side dish made with brown rice, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, perfect for complementing Mexican-inspired meals.
- Cooking Tip (SIS Tip): Toasting the rice in olive oil before cooking prevents clumping by coating the grains and reducing starch release. Avoid overcooking for the best texture.
- Brain-Boosting Benefits: Brown rice is rich in magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants, supporting brain health, memory, and cognitive function.
- Flexible Ingredients: Use vegetable broth for added flavor, roasted or fresh garlic, and adjust the spice level with jalapeño seeds and chili powder.
- Easy Preparation: Blend tomatoes, onions, and garlic for a rich puree, then combine with toasted rice, spices, and broth for a simmered, satisfying dish.
- Serving Suggestion: Garnish with cilantro for a fresh finish and serve alongside your favorite Mexican entrees.
SIS Tip - Simple is Smart Tip for Brown Rice
I love fluffy, nutty, slightly chewy rice. In this SIS Tip, I will tell you how to keep your rice from sticking together in one big clump. The secret to fluffy brown rice that the pros use is to toast the rice for several minutes in olive oil.
The oil coats each rice kernel, acting as a barrier to the starches that seep out when you cook the rice. The starches are like glue sticking the kernels together, forming a lump of rice. Also, be careful not to overcook the rice. Overcooking will also release extra starch from the kernels.

Neuro-Nutrition Nugget: Brown Rice
Brown rice is a powerhouse of neuronutrition, providing numerous benefits for our brain health. Packed with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it nourishes our neurons and supports optimal brain function. One of the main nutrients found in brown rice is magnesium, which plays a crucial role in promoting healthy brain cells and improving memory.
Additionally, brown rice is also rich in antioxidants that protect our brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Including brown rice in our diet can help enhance focus, concentration, and overall cognitive performance.

Ingredients for Mexican Brown Rice
- Olive Oil: I use extra virgin organic olive oil
- Brown Rice or Red Rice:
- Vegetable Broth: You can use water but I like the extra flavor the broth gives the rice
- Onion: a medium regular onion or large sweet onion
- roasted garlic: if you don’t have roasted garlic, use fresh garlic cloves finely minced.
- Cumin
- Chili Powder: make sure you chili powder hasn’t expired. Spices that expire loose their flavor and you might as well be adding dirt to the recipe.
- Salt: use sea salt
- Jalapeno Pepper: leave the seeds and membranes in for extra kick.
- Garnish with cilantro.

Step by Step Instructions For Mexican
- Put tomatoes, onions, and garlic in a blender and puree; measure out 2 cups.
- Heat the oil in the Dutch oven until shimmery, Add the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes. Be careful to not burn the rice.
- Add the tomato puree, vegetable broth, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Serve and garnish with cilantro
FAQ
Is Mexican rice and brown rice the same?
Mexican and brown rice may seem similar initially, but they differ. While both are types of rice, they have distinct characteristics and uses in culinary dishes. Mexican rice, or Spanish rice, is typically a seasoned rice dish cooked with tomatoes, onions, and various spices. It is a staple in
Mexican cuisine is often served as a side dish alongside traditional meals. On the other hand, brown rice refers to whole-grain rice that has retained its bran and germ layers, making it more nutritious than white rice. It has a nuttier flavor and chewier texture compared to Mexican rice.
So, while both types of rice have their own unique qualities, it’s important to choose the one that best suits your taste preferences and dietary needs.
How is Mexican rice different?
Mexican rice is typically cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili powder, which gives it a distinct taste that is both savory and slightly spicy. Unlike plain white rice, Mexican rice is flavorful and adds a delicious kick to any meal.
Why is Mexican rice orange?
One of the most distinctive characteristics of this traditional Mexican staple is its beautiful orange color. But have you ever wondered why Mexican rice is orange? Well, the answer lies in the key ingredient – tomatoes!
The rich and flavorful tomatoes are responsible for giving Mexican rice its vibrant hue. When cooked with other aromatic spices and vegetables, the tomatoes release their natural color, infusing the rice with a beautiful orange tint.
Easy Mexican Brown Rice
Equipment
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- To see the ingredient amounts in metric units, click the blue "METRIC:" button between the ingredients and the instructions for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cup long grain brown or pink rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic (or 4 cloves roasted garlic)
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes or 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 diced jalapeno pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Put tomatoes, onions, and garlic in a blender and puree; measure out 2 cups.
- Heat the oil in the Dutch oven until shimmery, Add the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the tomato puree, vegetable broth, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Serve and garnish with cilantro.