Mexican Green Rice

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.


Morelos Rice, the Highest Quality Mexican 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.


A few ingredients make surprisingly flavorful rice.
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.


Ready to blend.
Blend the mixture for 1 minute until smooth.


Looking good.
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.


The rice is coated in oil before cooking.
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.


Stir continually so that it doesn't burn.
Pour the cilantro mixture into the rice.


Add the cilantro mixture.
Add 4 cups of water and the teaspoon of salt. Stir once and reduce the heat to low.


Add 4 cups of water and only stir one time.
The rice will absorb the liquid as it cooks. It takes about 30 minutes 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


A dish of perfect rice.


A dish of perfect rice.
You will enjoy the results of this recipe.
Provecho!
Mexican Green Rice Recipe
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword cilantro, green rice, Mexican, rice
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 182kcal
Author Douglas Cullen
Ingredients2 cups short grain rice preferably Morelos type1 bunch cilantro reserve a few sprigs for garnish 1/2 medium white onioncloves garlic1 tsp. salt4 to 5 cups of water
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 tsp. salt
4 to 5 cups of water
InstructionsCILANTRO MIXTUREAdd the cilantro, onion, garlic and 1/2 cup of water to your blender jarBlend until smooth about 1 minuteRICEPreheat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium heatPour the uncooked rice into the hot oilStir to coat the rice with oil and cook for about 30 seconds until the rice is just starting to brown and become fragrantAdd the pureed cilantro mixture to the riceAdd 4 cups of water to the riceAdd 1 teaspoon of saltStir once to evenly disperse the cilantro mixtureReduce the heat to low (do not cover)Cook the rice for about 20 minutes. It will completely absorb the liquidIf 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 absorbedOnce the rice is done cooking. Turn off the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and let it rest for 5 minutes before servingGarnish with a sprig of cilantro
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
Nutrition
Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 2.1mg
More Mexican Rice Recipes
Mexican Red Rice
More Mexican Side Dishes
Frijoles de la Olla
Refried Beans
Stewed Chayote in White Wine
Pickled Peppers