This is a Party Rice recipe that make ya wanna boogie! It’s the best “plain” rice that’s full of flavor and easy to make with 6-ingredients for the next fiesta.
Let’s discuss. Its got a rap about it not always being the healthiest in terms of the salt but are you kidding me, that’s not true if you know what’s going in it. El Arroz is a tradition and it is delicio-so!
You’re winning with this essential recipe. I always mod it up with the very best options for you. Treat yourself and your party with cups of rice that some also refer to as restaurant style rice.
What Makes this Recipe Better
Puro amor. But really, this party recipe is also what I consider my 50/50 rice. Why? Because it’s half the work cause tomato sauce is ready, and it’s still flavor packed.
The sauce used in it is canned (which is not a bad choice but in my traditional rice recipe, I make the sauce from scratch for smaller weeknight meals) but still use broth and a DIY spice blend for max flavor.
It gets all the love from the pari!
Puro pari and backyard boogie menus as I call them are always a happy feast around food. Growing up and to this day, it’s always a lot of fun to make a good recipe and share it with guest who ask for it.
There is always a member with la mano that makes a delish signature dish, no matter what type of dish that may be. Bring-it-on! The love poured into a contribution at the comida table is always an integral part of gathering. So be the compa/madrina(o/x) with that good-good fiesta rice. Ya vamos!
For a lightly salted try my authentic easy salt rice recipe. It’s made with fresh sauce and omits any additional salt.
Ingredients
Grocery Quick List: rice, chicken broth, spices (turmeric, cumin, salt), canned tomato sauce, onion, garlic and optional spicy pepper.
- Rice
- Chicken broth
- Water
- Canned Tomato Sauce, unsalted
- Fresh onion and garlic clove
- Spices or preferred bouillon powder or cube of the house
Ingredient Notes / Variations
- Long grain rice – is the choice to keep things simple. I’ve used a variety of rice types over the years but for this rice, long or short grain are accessible around me and hopefully for you too.
- If using jasmine or basmati, adjust the water ratio for the specific rice grain used.
- Brown rice takes longer to cook, and will require more active cook time. This is recommended because everyone has a preference for how soft they want their rice.
- Oil – Use the oil you cook with most frequently. The rice will be lightly fried or ‘a tostar lo’ in the first few steps.
- Tomato sauce – Know your canned sauce. Some sauce has an aftertaste, which lingers and is not good, so use the one you favor the most. I use unsalted every time.
- Tomato paste can also be used as a substitute to tomato sauce. Four (4) tablespoons are required for the size of this recipe.
- Garlic and onion – essential flavor in cooking so many cuisines. Mexican rice every time! Mincing and dicing is not necessary unless you want the full ingredient cooked into the rice (omit if littles are eating it and can spot any new flavor in rice).
- After half onion and garlic has cooked and been boiled whole within the pot of rice, it is removed and placed on the side to enjoy, dispose, or even compost.
- If you are missing one or the other, ground garlic or onion spice are a backup. They are only a backup, always go for fresh aromatics whenever possible.
Erika’s Favorite:
Rice, beans, and calabacitas with milanesa de res and a side of salsa ranchera. Well damn, my mouth waters just thinking about it!
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make the healthy and delicious party rice
Heat a large pan on medium and add oil. Let oil warm.
Add rice, and use a pan safe cooking utensil. Stir contents often in pan until all grains are lightly coated with oil and appear to be slightly toasted. About 2-3 ish minutes max on medium. [Do not skimp on this step.]
Pro Tip: The longer you fry the rice the longer it will take to soften. This is often why rice is fried in oil for longer period of time in recipes, it can cook quite fluffy. Also, this helps prevent the rice from sticking which is a favorite for a whole lot of people who grew up eating it that way.
Add all remaining ingredients; broth, water, spices, salt, jalapeno o serrano.
A printer-friendly recipe card with instructions is available at the bottom of this post.
Cover with kitchen towel to retain moisture and keep warm.
Ways To Spice It Up
You’ll spot a jalapeno or serrano in my pots of rice usually. It brings on a special spicy pepper aroma and some light flavor too.
When cooking rice in a pressure cooker or stovetop, do not chop up the chile unless you know what you’re expecting; spicy rice. This will make your rice spicy [given that the chili is a spicy one]. If that’s not what you were aiming for, it may possibly make your rice too spicy to consume. This is your heads up.
Foods To Eat It With [Mexican Party Rice]
Here are tasty and mostly easy to make family & party food favorites.
Ways To Flip Leftover Party Rice
Don’t throw it away, pack a plate and take it home to eat I tell them. 🙂
BRC Burritos – Beans, rice and cheese burritos. (My bad if you hold a strong stance on burritos without rice.)
Vegetarian Mulitas – Enjoy with fresh peruano beans and all the taco fixings.
Chicken and Rice Salad Bowls – Layered bowls with fresh greens, scoop of rice, choice of protein, beans, chilled sweet corn and spicy salsa. Beef works too, or a potato guisado for meat-free option.
Pro Tips / Receta Notes
Recipe yield: about 7 cups of rice.
Storage: Place any leftover rice in food safe storage and cover with lid. Rice will last up to 7 days in proper refrigeration.
Tip: Don’t leave your rice uncovered. Keeping covered is best for keeping it fresh. It will dry out if left uncovered and even begin to look unappetizing.
Enjoy Good Rice at the Carne Asada!
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Mexican Party Rice Recipe
DESCRIPTION
Equipment
- Nonstick pan with lid
- Large bowl to rinse the rice
- Stirring spoon
- Knife
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups rice rinsed.
- 1 can tomato sauce 5 ounce can, salted or unsalted
- 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1/2 whole onion half of whole. Dicing is optional.
- 2 cloves garlic whole
- 1 tbsp salt add .5 tsp for extra savory rice.
LQC diy spice blend for rice
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp paprika optional
- 1/2 tsp parsley optional (will leave green flakes).
Instructions
To make the party rice
- Fry oil in pan on medium heat for about 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile rinse the rice well and drain.
- After the 3 minutes have passed, add Rice to pan and stir frequently so that all parts touch oil and rice appears toasted (not burned). This will be about 2.5-3 minutes. This step is very important, don't shorten the time.
- Combine all other ingredients and seasonings in pot, give a few stirs and cover with lid. Let cook on medium heat for 18 minutes. Set timer as a friendly reminder.
- Once cooked, keep lid on for 5-minutes, then remove. Place a linen kitchen towel over rice as it cools (this helps retain the moisture and prevents rice from drying out from the top).
Notes
- Recipe yield – About 7 cups of flavorful rice.
- Add extra 1/2 cup water if you want softer rice and keep the same cook time. This is also know as arroz aguado, not to be confused with soup. It is not soupy.
- Storage – Store in a food-safe container with a lid. Properly stored rice will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Total stove cook time – 18-20 minutes to cook.
- Cool time – 5 minutes.
For all my tips and tricks related to this tasty Mexican Party Rice Recipe, visit the full post at LatinasQueComen.com. There you will find all the details and more good food for the party suggestions.
Thank you for your shares, ratings, and support of LQC!
Nutrition
Equipment
- Large pan (to cook the rice)
- Bowl
- Knife
- Large spoon, pan safe
More Recipes for the Party…
Try these favorite party foods too! They were created with the same amount of love.
- Macaroni and Cheese party tray
- Creamy Avocado Salsa with Chicken Taquitos
- Queso Fundido