Arroz Rojo (Mexican Red Rice)

Name: Arroz Rojo (Mexican Red Rice)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp low sodium vegetable broth; 1 cup diced fire roasted tomatoes (about half of a 15 oz can); 1 1/2 cups brown rice; 1 3/4 cups low sodium vegetable broth; 1 jalapeño (stemmed, seeded, and cut into strips); 1 carrot (peeled and chopped into small cubes); 1/2 cup frozen peas; 1/4 cup cilantro (chapped for garnish)

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This simple Arroz Rojo or Mexican Red Rice is a simple and flavorful side dish to serve alongside your favorite Mexican dishes like these vegan cauliflower tacos or lentil tacos. This vegan and gluten-free recipe have all the authentic ingredients and tons of flavor!

close up of Mexican red rice in white bowl topped with cilantro leaf

We are crazy about Mexican food around my house (also called Spanish Rice or Arroz Rojo). When I’m running low on inspiration on what to make for dinner, I know tacos will make everyone happy!

Our favorite take-out Mexican restaurant makes the most amazing Arroz Rojo. This dish that goes by different names including Mexican red rice, Arroz Mexicano, or Mexican-style rice is fluffy and delicious no matter what you call it!

When I told my kids we were having tacos for dinner, they lit up. When they realized we weren’t getting taco take-out, their faces fell.

Why? Because they love the fluffy Mexican red rice from the take-out restaurant! Their Arroz Rojo is SO good! So I can’t really blame them for the disappointment.

The kids love it! They would be happy with a large side of red rice and black beans every single day.

I never attempted to make it at home, but with the enthusiasm with which my family devours it, I thought it was about time I give it a try!

This recipe for Arroz Rojo has a few modifications to make it whole-food plant-based.

Most recipes call for toasting the rice in oil. Since I wanted to make this an oil-free version, I skipped this step, instead sautéing the garlic and carrots in vegetable broth.

Traditional recipes also call for long-grain white rice. This version uses brown rice for added fiber.

Arroz Rojo recipes always call for peas and carrots. This recipe is not any different! I love the addition of vegetables in this rice dish, as it gives it a nice texture!

Of course, if you’re making this recipe at home, and don’t have brown rice, long-grain white rice (Arroz Blanco) is just fine and more authentic! Use this rice for the filling of my vegan Mexican stuffed peppers.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Ingredients and Notes
What is the best rice to use?
Tools and Equipment
Instructions
Expert Tips
FAQS
What ratio of rice to water should you use for Arroz Rojo?
How to Store and Keep
Variations and Substitutions
How to Serve
More healthy vegan side dishes!
Arroz Rojo (Mexican Red Rice)

arroz rojo in pot and small side in white bowl topped with cilantro

Why This Recipe Works

Simple technique
Add to your easy recipes
Fresh Ingredients
Super flavorful
Adjust the spice level to suit your taste
Kid friendly
A versatile rice dish to serve with all your favorite Mexican recipes

Ingredients and Notes

ingredients for arroz rojo on cutting board: 1 carrot, 1 jalapeño pepper, two cloves of garlic, vegetable broth, fire roasted tomatoes, frozen peas, rice, and cilantro

Garlic: You will need 2 cloves of garlic minced. I recommend using a garlic press to quickly and easily mince the garlic. The vegetable broth is used in place of oil.

Large Carrot: Peel and chop one large carrot into small cubes.

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: You will need about half of a 15-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes or about 1 cup. Do not drain the liquid from the tomatoes. Alternatively, if you want to save time, use a 15 oz can of tomato sauce.

Brown Rice: This recipe calls for brown rice instead of long-grain white rice to increase the fiber and make this recipe whole food plant-based compliant. However, if you prefer a more traditional recipe, then opt for the long-grain white rice.

Vegetable Broth: Traditional recipes call for chicken broth or bouillon cubes. But to make this recipe vegan all you need to do is substitute vegetable broth. I recommend a low-sodium broth to keep this recipe heart-healthy!

Jalapeño Pepper: For added spice and flavor, the jalapeño pepper is seeded, sliced, and cooked with the rice. You can remove the pepper slices before serving. This adds a subtle spice and flavor that isn’t overwhelming. Even my kids who don’t like spicy food, don’t mind it! You can also use a serrano chili if you want more heat.

Frozen Peas: Add the frozen peas at the very last minute. The heat from the rice will defrost the peas. If you add them too soon they will turn a brownish-green color.

Cilantro: Finely chop and sprinkle over top the rice as a garnish.

What is the best rice to use?

The most traditional rice to use is long-grain white rice or this Arroz Rojo recipe. Long-grain white rice is fluffy and separates after cooking. It is thin and long. It is not sticky rice, and for this recipe, you want fluffy rice that will absorb all the flavors.

Long-grain white rice includes Jasmine rice, Basmati rice, and American long-grain rice.

You can also get long-grain brown rice, which is a great option for this recipe.

Tools and Equipment

Medium-Sized Pot with Lid: A medium size pot with a lid is just the right size for the number of ingredients you have. Make sure you have a deep pot that will allow your rice enough room to expand. You want a pot that isn’t too big or too small. In order for the rice to cook evenly you want it to have enough room to simmer.

Garlic Press: A garlic press is not a necessity, but it does make mincing garlic quick and easy!

Blender or Food Processor: You’ll need either a blender or a food processor to blend the fire-roasted tomatoes. This is what gives the red rice its color!

Instructions

Step 1: Add tablespoon of vegetable broth to a medium-sized pot. Add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes on medium-low heat. Add chopped carrots and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Place fire-roasted tomatoes into a food processor. Blend until a smooth puree form.

Step 3: Add the rice, vegetable broth, and tomato puree to the pot with the garlic and carrots. Add the slices of jalapeño. Bring the water and rice to a boil on medium-high heat. Reduce to medium heat, cover, and cook for 35-45 minutes.

carrots, rice, puree tomatoes, and broth in a pot

Step 4: Taste the rice to see if it is cooked. Add a bit more water or broth if needed.

rice and vegetables in pot covered with glass lid

Step 5: After rice is cooked stir in the frozen peas.

overhead of Mexican red rice in pot topped with peas and carrots, and cilantro

Step 6: Serve topped with fresh cilantro.

close up of red rice on wooden spoon with peas and carrots

Expert Tips

Do not stir the rice while it’s cooking. I know it’s tempting! But keep the lid on and allow the rice and liquid to do their job! If you stir the rice too soon, you allow the steam to escape. Over-stirring can also cause the rice to stick together, and fall apart. You want your rice to be nice and fluffy!
Use a fork to fluff the rice when it’s ready. This will prevent your rice from becoming mushy.
Since this recipe calls for low-sodium vegetable broth, taste the broth to be sure it is nicely seasoned. If you think it needs a bit more flavor, add a touch more salt to taste.
Alternatively, you can use chicken stock if you are not vegan or vegetarian.

FAQS

Should you sort the rice?

If you’re using rice that has been previously opened, I recommend sorting your rice before adding it to the pot.

Why? Opened rice can sometimes have small bugs that look like worms. I rarely if ever find any, but who wants to take that risk?

Simply measure the amount of rice you need to use. Pour it out onto a large white plate and carefully sift through it to see if any small black worm-like bugs appear.

How do you store dried rice?

The best way to avoid bugs appearing in your rice is to store it properly.

I prefer to store my rice in an airtight canister. It makes it easy to keep it fresh and scoop the amount you need when you’re ready to prepare.

Do you need to wash the rice before cooking?

While it isn’t necessary to wash rice there are a few benefits.

Washing your rice will remove any extra debris. It’s the first step to removing anything that could have been added during processing.

Another benefit, and perhaps the most important reason, is that rinsing your rice removes the extra starch attached to the grains.

Removing this extra starch will help you to create light and fluffy rice that doesn’t stick together.

How do you toast rice?

While this recipe does not call for toasting your rice, some recipes do. Toasting rice, allows you to enhance the flavor. It gives the rice a nutty flavor.

Toasting rice also helps to remove the extra starches. So, if you don’t rinse your rice, toasting it is another method to help you achieve a light fluffy texture.

two photos white rice in a wood spoon on the left, and and brown rice on a wooden spoon on the right

What ratio of rice to water should you use for Arroz Rojo?

Depending on the type of rice you are using, the water-to-rice ratio is slightly different.

A typical rule of thumb is to use a 1:2 ratio. That is 1 cup of rice, to 2 cups of water/broth ratio.

However, not all rice needs a 1:2 ratio. My recommendation is to always follow the instructions on the back of the rice you purchase so that the grain cooks perfectly and is light and fluffy.

However, if you’re purchasing your rice in bulk, you may not have the back of a package to refer to.

In general, this is my recommendation for the different types of rice you may be used for this recipe. This recipe ratio for this recipe is based on using long-grain brown rice.

Short Grain White Rice: 1:1

Medium Grain White Rice: 1:1 ¼

Long Grain Rice: 1:1 ¼

Jasmine Rice: 1: 1 ¾

arroz rojo topped with green pea and carrots

How to Store and Keep

Store: Allow this Mexican rice dish to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Keep: The rice will keep for up to 4 days.

Reheat: When ready to reheat, transfer to a microwave-safe container. I usually use the glass storage container the rice is already in. Then add a tablespoon or two of water, cover, and heat in the microwave until warm.

Variations and Substitutions

Add More Spices: Feel free to add more spices to amp up the flavor! I like adding in a ½ teaspoon of cumin, or chili powder.

Tomato Paste: Add a tablespoon of tomato paste for a deeper richer tomato flavor.

More Fresh Ingredients: Add diced red onions on top, fresh chopped tomatoes, or diced bell peppers.

How to Serve

Serve this red rice with all of your favorite Mexican recipes. I particularly enjoy serving with a side of black beans, pickled vegetables, tofu fajitas with bell peppers, or vegan empanadas!

I also suggest serving it with your favorite refried beans!

Mexican red rice in blue pot topped with peas and cilantro

More healthy vegan side dishes!

Recipe inspired by Rick Bayless