Arroz Verde Mexicano
Mexican Green Rice, also known as cilantro rice is the perfect side dish and not just for when you are serving Mexican food. Its bright but not overpowering flavor goes well with fish or chicken. We also have a great recipe for Mexican Red Rice too.
Morelos Rice
We prepared this dish with Morelos rice which is the only rice in Mexico with a Designation of Origin. To receive the designation it must come from the state of Morelos. (More about the Designation of Origen) It is considered to be the highest quality rice in Mexico. At the supermarket, Morelos rice costs about 60% more. If you can’t find Morelos rice, this dish will turn out well with your favorite white rice.
How to Prepare Mexican Green Rice (Cilantro Rice)
This recipe makes a large batch of rice, about 12 portions. We always like to make a big batch so that we have rice all week. You can cut the recipe in half if you don’t need so much.
Start by getting all of your ingredients together.
Prepare the Cilantro Mixture
Add the cilantro, garlic, onion and 1/2 cup of water to your blender. Use the freshest cilantro you can find. It makes a big difference in taste. Before blending, discard any sprigs that are pale in color or have black spots.
Blend the mixture for 1 minute until smooth.
Cooking the Rice
Pour the rice into a pan that has 2 tablespoons of medium hot preheated oil. This is an important step to build flavor and get the proper texture.
Stir the rice to coat with oil. Keep stirring for about 30 seconds until the rice just begins to turn golden and become fragrant. Don’t let the rice burn.
Pour the cilantro mixture into the rice.
Add 4 cups of water and the teaspoon of salt. Stir once and reduce the heat to low.
The rice will absorb the liquid as it cooks. It takes about 30 minutes to for the rice to fully cook. If the rice has absorbed all of the liquid and it hasn’t quite finished cooking add 1/4 of water at a time until the rice is cooked and all of the water has been absorbed. Getting perfect rice is an art. It may take you a few times to get it just how you want it.
When the rice is cooked to your liking turn off the heat and fluff it with a fork. Let it rest 5 minutes and then serve.
Ready to Serve
You will enjoy the results of this recipe.
Provecho!
Mexican Green Rice Recipe
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 8 servings
Recipe for Mexican green rice, also known as cilantro rice, a perfect side dish and not just for Mexican food. Its bright but not overpowering flavor goes really well with fish or chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 cups short grain rice (preferably Morelos type)
- 1 bunch cilantro (reserve a few sprigs for garnish)
- 1/2 medium white onion
- cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 5 cups of water
Instructions
- CILANTRO MIXTURE
- Add the cilantro, onion, garlic and 1/2 cup of water to your blender jar
- Blend until smooth about 1 minute
- RICE
- Preheat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium heat
- Pour the uncooked rice into the hot oil
- Stir to coat the rice with oil and cook for about 30 seconds until the rice is just starting to brown and become fragrant
- Add the pureed cilantro mixture to the rice
- Add 4 cups of water to the rice
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt
- Stir once to evenly disperse the cilantro mixture
- Reduce the heat to low (do not cover)
- Cook the rice for about 20 minutes. It will completely absorb the liquid
- If the rice isn't fully cooked after it has absorbed the liquid add 1/4 cup of water as needed until the rice is fully cooked and the water has been absorbed
- Once the rice is done cooking. Turn off the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving
- Garnish with a sprig of cilantro
Courses Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Ben Myhre says
Oh, this looks good. And the tidbit about Morelos rice being the only rice in Mexico with a Designation of Origin is pretty cool. I doubt I have tried it, but now I am gonna have to search it out.
Jasmine is my rice on the regular (and buy it in 25lb bags), but love exploring the small differences between different rices.
Elaine says
How much garlic for the Green Rice recipe?
Douglas Cullen says
The recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic. Thanks for pointing this out. Cheers!
Jose says
Indeed no garlic amount specified in the recipe ingredients, the picture suggests two cloves…
Douglas Cullen says
You are correct. It’s 2 cloves of garlic. I have updated the recipe. Cheers!
Acer says
I never cook rice uncovered. I am making this right now, but covered!
Tina says
You don’t specify to rinse the rice 1st.
Cooking instructions on my bag of rice (Verde Valle brand) say to rinse. I’m going to go with my gut and not rinse. I’m thinking a hot pan with hot oil would not receive wet rice very well.
Snap …crackle….OUCH!!
Valerie M says
I thought this was really delicious! I served it alongside hibiscus/potato tacos and refried beans and fresh tortillas! I kept it warm after cooking it by putting it in my rice cooker (can’t cook it in the rice cooker because it releases steam from the water, or in this case, crazy looking green smoothie!).
Thanks!