The Mexican flavors of this easy Fiesta Rice make it perfect for stuffing a burrito or taco and even serving on the side of grilled chicken or smothered burritos. An easy side dish that is super versatile!
Fiesta Rice is one of my easy recipe hacks. I love it because I don’t actually have to cook the other ingredients with rice.
This means I can use leftover white rice from another recipe or even buy the packets of 90 second rice at the grocery store.
Fiesta Rice Ingredients
I like to add a good mix of colors and flavors to my rice. Of course, if you have picky eaters or just don’t like one of the items I used, you can certainly omit it! This recipe is great because you can totally customize it to your liking.
These are the ingredients I like to use:
- green chiles
- black beans
- corn (you can use canned, frozen or fresh of the cob)
- garlic
- lime juice
- kosher salt
- white rice
If you would like your rice to be a little spicier, you can feel free to substitute the green chiles for jalapenos. If you prefer, you can also use brown rice instead of white. Just be aware that the texture of the Fiesta Rice will be different.
Here are some other options:
- Jalapenos: perfect if you like a little more spice
- Cilantro: people either love it or hate it, but it’s always a great flavor to add to Mexican dishes
- Avocado: if you choose to add avocado, wait until just before serving to prevent browning
- Tomatoes: if adding tomatoes, I’d suggest using grape tomatoes cut in half or in quarters
- Red onions: they add a nice onion flavor, but also more color
- Green peppers: perfect to add a little crisp texture and pretty green color
How to Serve Fiesta Rice
Not only is this the BEST Fiesta Rice recipe because it’s easy and delicious, but you can use it in so many different ways, too! Here are some ways to use it:
- side dish
- as a filler for your tacos
- inside of a burrito
- served as a fajita topping
Just like my Black Bean Salad, it would also be great served at a party or picnic with chips.
How to Cook Rice
If you don’t have the minute rice or rice leftover from another meal, cooking your own is super easy! You really only need two, maybe three ingredients: rice, water and salt to taste.
If you are cooking white rice, start with 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water. Add both to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Once all of the liquid is absorbed, the rice is ready (about 25 minutes.)
Brown Fiesta Rice
If you prefer to make it with brown rice, use 1 cup of rice and 2 1/2 cups of water. Follow the same steps as from above, but the brown rice will take a little longer for the water to fully absorb (about 45 minutes.)
Brown rice is still slightly processed, but less so than white rice. It still has the bran layer and cereal germ, but the inedible outer layer is removed. It retains more nutritional value.
Serve your rice with these main dish Mexican recipes:
Crispy Mexican Chicken
Smothered Beef Burritos
Fiesta Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces green chiles , drained
- 15 ounces black beans , rinsed and drained
- 9 ounces corn
- 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 cups white rice , hot and cooked
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat and toss.
- Continue to stir so nothing sticks to the bottom. This is more to heat all of the ingredients than to cook anything. Heat for about 5 minutes.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
I love that you saw it’s ok to use the 90 second pre-packaged rice at the store. Sometimes, that’s all I have time for! This fiesta rice is such a great side dish with so many of our meals.
Simple recipe and perfect for burrito bowls and meal prep. Tasty too.
Super yum and perfect use of Mexican leftovers. We love to do this on the regular!
This is fabulous. I can eat this as my meal. Can’t wait to make this!