Easy Mexican Rice with Scallions and Lime

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Easy Mexican rice is the perfect side dish for Taco Tuesday! Feel your taste buds tingle with this exotic Mexican recipe made with brown rice, lime and scallions.

Rice is a grain food that’s popular all around the world. For instance, there’s risotto from Italy, paella from Spain, and biryani from India. And yes, there’s a well-loved rice dish from Mexico. Mexican rice may be referred to as arroz rojo (red rice) or simply arroz (rice). Whatever you choose to call it, Mexican-style rice is a high-flavored and fragrant way to prepare the grain as a side.

Our recipe for Easy Mexican Rice in a mint green bowl, served with a slice of fresh lime

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This version is prepared in a flavorful liquid that includes chicken broth, tomato sauce, and lime juice. It gets still more flavor from garlic and scallions. It gets herbal flair from fresh cilantro. And as a bonus, it’s made with brown rice for more fiber along with whole grain goodness.

Our recipe for Easy Mexican Rice in a mint green bowl, served with a slice of fresh lime

What You Need

Here is what you will need from the store. The exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Kitchen Tools:

Ingredients

Our recipe for Easy Mexican Rice in a mint green bowl, served with a slice of fresh lime

Mexican Rice Tips

This tastes so much better than boiling a processed bag of rice. The flavors stand out more and you can taste the difference. But it’s just as easy as the bagged kind!

Here are some tips that will help you make a perfect pot of Mexican rice, every single time. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.

Only Use The White Part Of Scallions

There are two parts two scallions (also called green onions). There is the bulb at the bottom – the white part. And there is the long green part on top.

Chop up the white parts and saute them at the beginning. Then, save the green part and add them as a garnish at the very end.

Simmering oil and green onions in a large saucepan, and mixing with a wooden spoon

Toast the Rice

Heat up the rice before you add the broth and boil it. This will bring out the nutty notes in the brown rice.

Other Types of Rice To Use

I used long grain brown rice for this recipe. But, you can use Jasmine rice or plain white rice instead. The type of rice isn’t super important. Most people have a favorite kind, so use that.

Roasting rice with oil and green onions in a large saucepan, and mixing with a wooden spoon

Use Fresh Ingredients

You’ll notice a difference when you use fresh lime juice, chop up real garlic cloves, and use fresh cilantro.

I used a can of tomato sauce, but you could even use pureed fresh tomato if you want.

Adding broth and tomato sauce in a saucepan to make Mexican Rice

Follow Rice Instructions

It takes about 40 minutes for the rice to become tender enough to eat, if you use brown rice. If you are going to use Jasmine rice or white rice, the time might be quicker. Some varieties of rice cook in 20 minutes or less.

Always read the instructions on the rice before you cook it.

Adding broth and tomato sauce in a saucepan to make Mexican Rice

How To Change The Recipe

If you like, there are several ways to glam up this Mexican rice dish or make it your own.

  • Do you enjoy “hot” food? Mince a small jalapeno and add it to the recipe in the first step.
  • Would you like extra Mexican pizzazz? Add a couple of pinches of ground cumin, ground coriander, or chili powder (or all three of them!) in the second step.
  • Do you prefer to go 100% plant-based? Use vegetables instead of chicken broth.
  • Go for extra veggie goodness by tossing in some minced red and green bell pepper when adding the broth.

Parsley Instead of Cilantro

To some people, cilantro tastes like soap. If that’s use, I suggest using fresh parsley instead. It will still add color and flavor to the bowl of rice, without that soapy taste.

Bird's eye view photo of our homemade easy Mexican rice, served in a large bowl, with a plaid tea towel

So, the next time you’re ready for some rice, don’t just stick to the same ol’ rice routine. Up your rice game and go global. Whip up this Easy Mexican Rice with Scallions and Lime recipe. It only takes 10 minutes of prep time, but it has a memorable slow-cooked taste. Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote

Easy Mexican Rice with Scallions and Lime

Print Recipe
Up your rice game and go global. Whip up this Easy Mexican Rice with Scallions and Lime recipe.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:55 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes

SERVINGS

4

Equipment

  • Large Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 15 ounces fluidchicken broth
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan over medium-high, heat the oil. Add the brown rice, white part of the scallions, and garlic and sauté until the rice begins to toast, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the broth, tomato sauce, and lime juice and bring to a full boil over high. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 40 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let stand for about 10 minutes to complete the cooking process. Stir in the cilantro and green part of the scallions. If desired, add salt to taste. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 553mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Lime Rice, Mexican Rice, Scallions, veg meal
Servings: 4
Calories: 250kcal
Bird's eye view photo of our homemade easy Mexican rice, served in a large bowl, with a plaid tea towel

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