Welcome to the heart of Mexican home cooking! While Arroz Rojo (Mexican Red Rice) gets all the fame, this Classic Arroz Blanco Mexicano is a truly authentic and equally delicious side dish you'll find on countless family tables. Often called "Mom's White Rice," this recipe is the key to achieving perfectly fluffy, separate, and flavor-packed rice every single time. It's the ideal mild-but-aromatic pairing for stews, grilled meats, and any saucy Mexican entrée.
🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture: The secret technique of toasting the rice prevents mushiness, resulting in light, separate, and delightfully fluffy grains.
- Deep Flavor: A simple blend of onion and garlic is the subtle yet crucial flavor base, creating a savory aroma that makes this so much better than plain steamed rice.
- Authentic: This is the un-fussy, essential white rice served across Mexico.
- Versatile: It's the perfect canvas to add vegetables (like peas and carrots) or a whole chile for a touch of heat.
🛒 Ingredients
This recipe makes about 3 cups of cooked rice (approximately 4 servings).
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
| Long-Grain White Rice | 1 cup | Crucial for the fluffy texture. Avoid short-grain, Basmati, or Jasmine. |
| Vegetable Oil or Lard | 2 Tbsp | For toasting the rice. |
| White Onion | 1/4 cup, finely chopped | Essential aromatic base. |
| Garlic | 1 large clove, minced or pressed | The other half of the flavor foundation. |
| Chicken Broth or Water | 2 cups | Chicken broth (preferably low-sodium) adds maximum flavor, but water works for a purer white color. |
| Knorr Pollo (Chicken Bouillon) | 1 tsp (optional) | A common ingredient in authentic Mexican cooking for a savory boost. Omit if using salted broth and check seasoning. |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp or to taste | Adjust based on the saltiness of your broth/bouillon. |
| Optional Additions | ||
| Fresh Cilantro | 2-3 sprigs, whole | Adds a beautiful, fresh aroma; removed before serving. |
| Serrano or Jalapeño Pepper | 1 whole, pierced (optional) | For a subtle, gentle heat infusion. |
| Frozen Mixed Vegetables | 1/2 cup (peas, carrots, corn) | For an "Arroz Primavera" style white rice. |
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly fluffy Mexican white rice.
1. 🚿 Rinse & Drain the Rice (Optional but Recommended)
- Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve or bowl.
- Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch, which is key to preventing sticky, clumpy rice.
- Let the rice drain thoroughly while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. 🔥 Sauté the Aromatics & Toast the Rice
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan or cazuela over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the drained rice to the pan. Stir constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until the grains turn from translucent to a milky-white or very lightly golden hue. This toasting step is critical for a fluffy result!
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown or burn.
3. 💧 Add Liquid and Simmer
- Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and stir in the Knorr bouillon (if using) and salt. Stir just once to combine.
- Add any whole cilantro sprigs or whole chile pepper on top.
- Bring the liquid to a full rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and DO NOT STIR AGAIN.
4. 🍚 Cook and Rest
- Allow the rice to simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time! If adding frozen vegetables, you can gently sprinkle them over the top halfway through cooking (around the 10-minute mark) before re-covering.
- After the cooking time, remove the pan from the heat, but leave the lid on for an additional 10 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to steam fully and absorb any remaining moisture, guaranteeing the fluffiest possible texture.
Continue reading by clicking the ( NEXT 》 ) button below !
For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.
