4 Mexican Rice Colors You Should Know

Mexicans love their rice. They do! Rice is up there as one of the country’s staple foods, along with beans, chilies, and corn. You can find it in most Mexican cuisine since the people consider rice dishes necessary in their main meals and sides.

The Spanish first brought rice to Mexico back in the 1520s. Eventually, farmers learned how to plant this crop by themselves and incorporated it into their local cuisine. Rice is so well-loved in Mexico that they have it in different colors. The colors all depend on a couple of spices that naturally coat and dye each precious grain.

If you’re intrigued or just interested in rice-based food in general, read on to learn more.

Red Rice

You may have heard of the famous Mexican dish called Arroz Rojo. It comes from the same Spanish words that translate to ‘red rice.’ Contrary to what you might think, red rice isn’t made from rice mixed with tomato sauce or tomato paste. You can get the same effect with tomatoes, but they still won’t have the same taste.

Mexican red rice is created by mixing achiote seeds or annatto with rice to get that intense and beautiful red color. Want to make red rice but not sure where to get achiote seeds? You might be lucky to spot some at your local Mexican grocery store or the supermarket’s international aisle.

Once you’ve got the achiote in seed or powder form, you’re ready to make some tasty Mexican red rice. Use jasmine or long grain rice for your dish, no matter how tempting instant rice sounds right now. The rice needs to be cleaned and rinsed before cooking to remove the starch. Here’s a quick guide on cooking rice if it’s your first time to make it:

• Fill up a bowl with the measured rice.
• Cover up the rice with water. Check the water level by touching the rice’s surface with the tip of your index finger. The water level should be sitting right at the first joint of your finger.
• Stir the rice and water around, then drain. Do this around 3-4 times or until the water is no longer murky.

After that, feel free to follow any Mexican red rice recipe you find. Most of the time, you’ll be pouring clean, dry rice with broth and the achiote before simmering to get that vibrant red color.

Yellow Rice

If you’ve seen or tasted authentic Mexican yellow rice, you might’ve noticed that it’s not as yellow as you expected. Bright golden-yellow rice is Spanish rice, while Mexican yellow rice comes in a more red-orange color. That’s because Spanish rice makes use of saffron to dye the grains. Mexicans use cumin to color their rice yellow.

Mexican yellow rice also has a different mouthfeel compared to Spanish rice. Mexican rice is your new best friend if you enjoy softer, melt-in-your-mouth grains.

Why not try out some fluffy Arroz Amarillo as a side dish or as the main dish itself? You’ll need dried long-grain rice, cumin or turmeric, minced garlic, diced onions, butter, chicken broth or bouillon, adobo seasoning, chopped cilantro, and water.

• Put the butter, onions, and garlic into a 4-quart saucepot and bring the heat to medium. 
• After sauteing for 3-5 minutes, add your cleaned dry rice and make sure all the grains are coated in butter.
• To flavor your Arroz Amarillo, stir the adobo seasoning, cumin, and chicken broth, then bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat when it starts boiling and stir, then cover the pot once more to cook for 15-18 minutes.
• Remove the saucepot from the heat, then toss the rice. Let it steam for 5 minutes before serving it warm.

Yellow rice is great for paella or arroz con pollo, and along with the spices and flavors, the color makes these two dishes mouthwatering. Even something as simple as yellow rice with black beans will excite you.

A plate of delicious authentic Mexican Rice with black beans, corn, garlic, and cilantro.

Brown Rice

Whether served as a main dish or side dish, you’re bound to see some brown rice in a Mexican feast. Many people don’t generally love brown rice due to its nutty flavor or lack thereof. But it’s just as versatile as regular white rice and can become appetizing depending on how you prepare it.

Mexican brown rice, like most types of brown rice, takes longer to cook, unlike white rice. Brown rice also tends to absorb more water. Go for wholegrain or long grain if you want to try out some brown rice recipes. Mix it with sweetcorn, beans, jalapeno, and red bell peppers for a fantastic addition to your big meals. For more details, check out this Mexican brown rice salad recipe to impress your family and friends at your next potluck party.

When you’re craving a decent, hearty meal that goes well with enchiladas and tacos, then look no further than brown rice. You’re sure to enjoy every bite of that good stuff no matter the time of day.

White Rice

And now for something a little more familiar. White rice is a common sight in most Asian dishes but is also frequently seen in Mexican cuisine. Mexican white rice, known as either Arroz Blanco or Arroz Primavera, uses fewer ingredients than its more colorful cousins. Despite that, this dish is so full of flavor which you can’t ignore.

Like most Mexican dishes, white rice may also be spicy. But you can lessen the intensity by cutting out most of the seasonings. Doing this also helps the rice keep its original color. Instead of simmering the rice in the colored spices, you’ll let it absorb all the flavorful broth and juices from the garlic and onion. Add in a tablespoon of lime juice for zest and freshness.

Mexican white rice can be colorful, too. Arroz Primavera uses mixed vegetables to add yellows, greens, and oranges to an all-white canvas.

If you’re not used to eating rice, it may be because you don’t have the right tools to cook it on. Though a pot or saucepan is enough, sometimes all it takes is a good-quality rice cooker. You’ll find ones in different shapes and sizes, but here are some tips for finding the best commercial rice cooker so you can have Mexican rice dishes anytime you want.

Rice Up!

When you’re in the mood for carbs but not in the form of bread, potatoes, or pasta, rice will always be there for you. It’s easy to cook and is a versatile ingredient used in many recipes, especially Mexican cuisine.

Since Mexican rice dishes come in different colors, you have several options for your next meals. Mexican cuisine is vast and wonderful that there’s no way you’ll ever run out of recipes to try.