Simple Vegan Mexican Rice Recipe

Name: Simple Vegan Mexican Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups dried long grain brown rice; Drizzle of oil (optional); 3 cups veggie broth (low sodium if needed); ¾ cups jarred salsa (the more flavorful the better (see note)); ½ cup chopped carrots; ½ cup frozen corn; ½ cup frozen peas; ½ - 1 teaspoon sea salt (see note); ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

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This vegan Mexican rice recipe is so easy and so flavorful you'll never buy it again! Just dump in a pot and let the stove do the work!

Grey plate on a wooden table filled with Mexican rice and topped with cilantro

I have always loved the Mexican rice at restaurants. The flavor and little bits of carrots, corn and peas is so good! And now I can make it at home cheaper, with healthy ingredients and it's super easy!

The quintessential Mexican meal is just not complete without rice and beans, and we eat a LOT of Mexican food at our house. Who doesn't love a good taco at least once a week? So I absolutely needed a good go to easy rice recipe that I could make all the time, and this recipe is just what I was looking for!

Ingredients

For the best homemade vegan Mexican rice, you're going to want the right mix of fresh flavors. Here's what you'll need for this recipe:

Long grain brown rice
Veggie broth
Salsa
Veggies
Seasonings

Bowls with rice, salsa, carrots, corn, peas and broth next to cilantro and salt

How to Make Vegan Mexican Rice

This Mexican rice recipe is seriously so easy! Only a few simple steps are between you and deliciousness, here's what to do:

Brown the rice.
Add everything else then simmer.
Cook until tender, let rest, then fluff.
Serve!

Serving suggestions

I love to top this rice with fresh chopped cilantro, and even a dollop of Vegan Sour Cream. Once it's all dressed up, I like to make a party of flavors on my plate by serving the rice with any of these fabulous plant based recipes:

Tips and tricks

Be sure to check out these extra suggestions when making your own vegan Mexican rice:

Water can be used instead of broth but the flavor will be more bland.
You can sub tomato sauce for the salsa but the flavor won’t be as good.
Adjust your salt to taste, the amount of salt will depend on your salsa.
Prepare an extra big batch for meal prep, or just to make future dinners easier!
Leftover Mexican rice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Mexican rice can also be frozen! Store in an airtight freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost before reheating.
Rice can dry out a little in reheating. I suggest adding a splash of broth or water before microwaving to avoid this.

Common Questions

Is rice at Mexican restaurants vegan?

Some Mexican rice could be prepared with chicken stock or lard, so it's best to check with the restaurant to see if their rice is vegan.

Is there a difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?

While sometimes referred to as the same, Mexican rice and Spanish rice are different. Spanish rice includes saffron, which is where it gets its yellow color. Mexican rice however uses cumin instead.

How do you make Mexican rice from scratch?

Brown the rice, then add seasonings, veggies, and broth and simmer until tender.

How do you make Mexican rice not mushy?

Using too much liquid or overcooking can cause your rice to get mushy. Try browning it in the pan before adding the liquid, which will help to avoid that mushy texture. Also, watch how much liquid you add and keep an eye on the rice as it cooks. Once it's tender enough to eat, it's done!

More Vegan Mexican Recipes

It's never a bad time for Mexican food, so having a wide variety of recipes on hand is always a good idea! These whole food plant based dishes will satisfy your south of the border cravings: