How to Make Mexican Arroz con Vegetales Recipe
Also known as Arroz Primavera, this Mexican recipe for Arroz con Vegetales features white rice mixed with a colorful array of vegetables, including carrots, peas, green beans, and corn. This Sopa de Arroz blanco pairs wonderfully with almost any dish, whether fish, beef, or poultry! The best part? I have the secret to making perfect home-style Mexican rice, just like we make it in Mexico.
I prepare a big pot of traditional arroz con vegetales every week because my children love it. In a Mexican home like mine, most meals include frijoles and rice as side dishes. I also have a traditional Arroz Recipe for home Style Arroz Rojo if you prefer the classic red rice.
I’ll guide you through this recipe step by step with photos. You’ll find detailed ingredients and explanations in the recipe card below.
In Mexico, we rinse the rice to get rid of the starch it contains. This prevents the rice from becoming sticky and allows the grains to cook separately, which is essential for authentic Mexican rice. For this same reason, it is important to fry the rice before adding the water.
You can use water to cook the rice, but using chicken broth really elevates the flavor. If using just water, try to add a teaspoon of powdered chicken bullion.
I like to buy this vegetable mix that we call primavera in Mexico. I get it from Costco in the frozen section and use it a lot for tuna salads, stews, and, of course, to prepare rice. Make sure to thaw the vegetables well before adding them to the rice.
A halved jalapeño or serrano pepper in the middle of the rice always adds a lot of flavor without making it spicy.
Recipe Benefits:
- Provides a combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber.
- Incorporates vegetables that offer essential vitamins and minerals.
- Can be adapted to meet specific dietary needs, such as low-sodium or vegetarian options.
- This low-fat rice cooking method can be a healthier alternative, reducing unnecessary calories. Remember, you can adjust the vegetable quantities according to your preferences and nutritional needs.
How to Make Arroz con Vegetales Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pot
- 1 container
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice
- 2.5 cups mixed vegetables. carrots, green beans, peas, corn kernel
- 4 cups chicken broth you can use water instead
- 1 tsp powder chicken bullion if using water this bring flavor the Knorr's powder chicken bullion is really popular in Mexican cuisine
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1/4 tsp cumin optional
- 1 piece jalapeño
Instructions
- Place the rice in a container and cover it with water. Let it sit for a few minutes to remove the excess starch, which will improve the texture when cooking.
- Drain the rice in a strainer and rinse it under running water. Shake off as much water as possible.
- At medium heat sauté onion and garlic in vegetable oil. Once the onion has changed color add the rice and stir.
- Once the rice has changed color add 4 cups of water or chicken bullion the cumin, salt, and chicken bullion.
- Cut the jalapeno by length and place the jalapeno on top of the rice.
- Set to high heat and let the water boil.
- Close the lid, change the heat to low, and let the rice cook for between 15 to 18 minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked add the vegetables on top, close the lid again, and let them there at low heat for 5 minutes.
- If using pre-cooked vegetables: Turn off the heat and cover to allow the residual heat to cook the vegetables if they are pre-cooked.
- If using fresh vegetables: When the water is boiling, add the vegetables on top of the rice, cover the pot, and let the vegetables cook with the rice.
- If using frozen vegetables: Place the vegetables in a container with water and start to unfreeze them. Change the water at least twice. Get rid of the water place the veggies on top of the rice once it is cooked and close the lid for another 5 minutes.
- Finalization: Verify that the vegetables are tender, and the rice is well-cooked.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
