The perfect side dish for Mexican night is this recipe for Mexican rice loaded with black beans, green peppers and spices.
One of my favourite things about being a food blogger are all of the opportunities we have to be creative. As a food blogger, I have the opportunity to create new recipes, take beautiful photos, write each post and even produce food videos. Then there are all of the not-so-creative elements like hundreds of emails, the behind-the-scenes late night server overloading and all the tech that I don’t really have a grasp on. But other than those few, less creative elements, I think in general that running any blog is extremely creative.
This recipe for Mexican rice is perfect for Taco Tuesday or just Mexican night in general, it would be the perfect accompaniment to my slow cooker chicken tacos, or you could even use this rice for burritos - it’s incredibly versatile. I love Mexican food and the other night when I was babysitting, dinner was this incredibly and authentic Mexican Rice, so I decided to put my creative mind to use and try and come up with my very own version of Mexican rice for you. I wanted this rice dish to have plenty of vegetables and flavour. In this case, I’ve used green pepper for the veggies and a combination of cumin, taco seasoning and tomato paste, I’ve also stirred in a bit of a cheddar cheese at the end to add a hint of cheesiness to this dish and black beans for a hit of protein. While this is the perfect side dish, I think it could also work for a budget-friendly main and a twist on rice and beans. I like to make my own taco seasoning at home, but you can use store-bought as well or a combination of chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika.
If you’re looking for a Mexican rice recipe that is similar to what you’ll find at Chipotle, I’ve made a copy-cat Cilantro Lime Rice that is another great option to pair with Mexican dishes.
Mexican Rice
Pin PrintIngredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ green pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- 1 bayleaf
- ½ 19 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- In a medium pan, heat olive oil and saute onion for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant. Add in the diced green pepper, taco seasoning and cumin and cook for another 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and hot sauce.
- Add, rice and stir to coat. Add water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 18 minutes or until rice is cooked and no liquid remains.
- Once rice is cooked, remove bayleaf and stir in cheese and black beans.
Let me know if you make this Mexican rice in the comments below.
Danielle
What a great easy recipe! I love adding black beans in rice. I’m also a sucker for eggs, so I’d likely add an egg on top. I know what you mean about being a food blogger. It is great to be able to come up with new creations! I have learned so much since I started. I’ve even muddled through some of the tech stuff….
Marla
This is the perfect side dish! Fun being in the Secret Recipe Club with you. I baked up tarts this month for Group C http://su.pr/2rtACr
Susan with Permanent Posies
My kind of recipe! I love Mexican anything….being from Texas. Stopping by from SRC and glad I did. Check out my pumpkin scones.
Angie @ Bigbearswife
love mexican rice!
Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING
I love Mexican Rice, great recipe!
Thanks for participating in the SRC with me (Group B). Here is my post from this month: Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Pot Pie.
http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/09/pioneer-womans-chicken-pot-pie-secret.html
amy
Yum! Looks great — I’m loving SRC, so many new recipes to try!
Desi
Looks like a great Mexican side! You have a great blog and such nice photography… I am now following your blog by email :)
Check out my SRC post if you like!
http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/09/septembers-secret-recipe-club-reveal.html
Nicole @ The Daily Dish
P.S. I love your blog, but then you already know that – I have a pretty long list of “to try” from your blog. I loved being assigned you this month! :)
Thank you!!
Nicole @ The Daily Dish
My husband absolutely loves Mexican rice, and I hate that he doesn’t let me make it at home. He always buys those disgusting boxes and I won’t eat them. THIS recipe I will eat. THIS recipe he will eat.
He doesn’t have a choice. Great choice this month!
dan
rice and beans is such a comfort food – your version looks great!
Julie
This looks so delicious! What a great meatless main dish! I am adding this to my bookmarks to try soon!
Stopping by from SRC!
Sarah
Looks tasty and cozy for the fall:)
patsy
I love that you made this into a meatless main dish! Great flavors and perfect for a cool fall day!
ButterYum
Well hi there! Wow, what a nice blog you have. I linked over right away after reading your secret recipe blog hostesses description of your blog. She was right!!
I’m new to the SRC this month. I hope you’ll stop by and pay me a visit.
:)
ButterYum
Jeanette
What a nice meatless meal – great choice for SRC – I think my kids would enjoy this!
Lisa~~
Sounds like a great flavored rice and it looks delicious too.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my group “A” SRC recipe this month: Welsh Cakes.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Sheryl
YUM! Your rice looks delicious! Great SRC choice!
Jennifer @ Jane Deere
Stopping by from group B. So fun to be in the Secret Recipe Club with you. Great Post! This rice looks delicious! It sounds like your version would be a great side some of my Mexican meals!
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to drop by my blog and check out my SRC recipe this month: Avocado Omelet
Melanie
Rice, beans, and cheese? Color me happy! Oh, and I love your bowl! It’s so pretty.
Miz Helen
This looks like a great recipe. It is fun cooking with you in the SRC. Hope you are having a great day and thanks for sharing!
Miz Helen
Kristen
I love Erin’s blog. That rice sounds perfect for my Mexican food loving gang. Your photos looks delicious.
Erin @ Making Memories
Thanks so much for the kind words! I love your spin on this dish! It was so good! Hope you liked it too!
Lou
Absolutely adored it, thanks for the great recipe!
Trisha
This is a lovely idea for a one pot meal!