Taco Rice ~
An easy and versatile Mexican restaurant-style side dish!
Serve alongside tacos and enchiladas or as a filling for homemade burritos.
5-Ingredient Taco Rice Recipe
I like this rice recipe for its simple flavor and ease of preparation. The ingredients list is also short and sweet. All that’s needed are a handful of budget-friendly items that you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients for Taco Rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup white onion, chopped
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
How to Make Taco Rice
STEP ONE: Into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion. Saute for 1 minute to soften.
STEP TWO: Add rice and taco seasoning, stirring to coat. Continue cooking for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.
STEP THREE: Pour 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not remove the lid and do not stir the rice as it simmers.
STEP FOUR: Keeping the lid on, remove from heat and let the rice stand for 10 minutes. Do not skip this step! Letting the rice rest allows it additional time to absorb the steam and firm up a bit. When the 10 minutes is up, gently fluff the rice with a fork.
STEP FIVE: Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with cilantro, and serve warm.
Optional Add-Ins
While this taco rice is delicious on its own, it can also be used as a base for creating your own custom rice bowl meal.
- Beans: Black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained, add bulk as well as a protein boost.
- Veggies: Corn, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers add pops of color and texture.
- Avocado: Fresh slices fanned out on the side of the bowl make a pretty and tasty garnish.
- Salsa: An easy way to add heat.
- Vegan Meat: Pre-cooked plant-based chorizo, ground beef, or chicken will satisfy a meaty craving.
- Cheese: Dairy-free pepper jack or Monterrey Jack complement the taco flavor.
- Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds citrusy flair.
More Tex-Mex Recipes You’ll Love!
- Yellow Rice
- Mexican Rice and Black Beans
- Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Anaheim Stuffed Peppers
- Beefy Bean and Cheese Vegan Enchiladas
Follow This Wife Cooks on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Taco Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup white onion chopped
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion. Saute for 1 minute to soften.
- Add rice and taco seasoning, stirring to coat. Continue cooking for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not remove the lid and do not stir the rice as it simmers.
- Keeping the lid on, remove from heat and let the rice stand for 10 minutes. Do not skip this step! Letting the rice rest allows it additional time to absorb the steam and firm up a bit. When the 10 minutes is up, gently fluff the rice with a fork.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with cilantro, and serve warm.
Jody
Did you rinse the rice first?
thiswifecooks
Hi Jody ~ No, rinsing is generally not necessary when toasting rice because we’re deliberately trying to achieve a toasted, slightly crisper texture. I hope that’s helpful.😊