Have you ever craved the iconic Taco Bell seasoned rice at home? While it is a favorite for so many people, re-creating that same bold flavor and texture in your own kitchen can seem almost impossible.
Well, worry no more! This easy Taco Bell seasoned rice recipe will provide all of the familiar flavors plus a few extra bells and whistles to take your Mexican cuisine game up a notch. Let’s dive into this delicious dish so you can enjoy those famous tastes without even having to leave the house.
What Is Taco Bell Rice?
Taco Bell rice is that unique mix of Mexican spices, tomato sauce, and white long grain rice. It is one of the signature side dishes that has become a fan favorite for its bold flavors and perfect texture. The combination of cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and chili powder can be detected in each bite and this dish is one that you just can’t get enough of.
How To Keep The Rice From Sticking To The Bottom Of The Pan?
The key to creating the perfect Taco Bell rice is to use a non-stick pan and make sure you keep stirring the cooked rice frequently. This will help ensure that your dish does not stick to the bottom of the pan and become burnt.
Once your finished product looks nice and fluffy, just turn off the heat, cover with a lid, and let it sit for a few minutes for maximum fluffiness.
How To Make Taco Bell Seasoned Rice?
Ready to make some Taco Bell rice in the comfort of your own home? Here are all of the ingredients and instructions you need to follow for maximum flavor:
Ingredients
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Long-grain rice: 1 cup (jasmine or basmati rice)
- Yellow onion, finely minced: ⅓ cup
- Red bell pepper, finely minced: 2 tbsp
- Water: 1½ cups
- Tomato sauce: ½ cup + 2 tbsp (6 oz)
- Salt: 1½ tsp
- Ancho chili powder: 1½ tsp (or other mild chili powder)
- Paprika: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: ½ tsp
- Coriander: ¼ tsp
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Juice of ½ a lime
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
2. Add the onion and bell pepper and continue to cook until they are softened (about 5 minutes). Increase the heat if needed to prevent sticking or burning.
3. Add the water, tomato sauce, salt, ancho chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, coriander and cayenne pepper to the pan. Stir to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid. Simmer for 15 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork and add the juice of half a lime. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
6. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 241 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 1 g
Best Uses For Taco Bell Rice
This flavorful rice dish can be used as a side or as the main star of the meal. You can serve it up with your favorite tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, and more to kick things up a notch. Or you can use it as the base for other dishes like stuffed peppers or enchiladas. It’s so versatile that you can really use it for anything.
How To Serve Taco Bell Rice?
Taco Bell rice is best served hot with all of your favorite Mexican food toppings. Some popular choices include shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. Or you can serve it with a side of refried beans or some yummy Spanish rice. The possibilities are truly endless!
Best Way To Store Leftover Cooked Rice
If you have any leftover cooked rice, it’s best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, simply reheat it in a microwave or stovetop and enjoy!
FAQs For “Taco Bell Seasoned Rice”
What kind of rice does Taco Bell use?
Taco Bell typically uses white long grain rice for their signature side dish.
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, you can use brown rice if preferred, however it will need to cook for a bit longer than white long grain. Keep an eye on the water and make sure it is absorbed before adding in the other ingredients.
Does Taco Bell make rice?
Yes, Taco Bell makes signature seasoned rice as a side dish. It is made with white long-grain rice, a blend of spices, and tomato sauce.
Can I freeze cooked rice?
Yes, you can freeze cooked rice for up to 3 months. However, it is best to cool the cooked rice completely before freezing and to thaw it slowly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Does Taco Bell use brown rice?
No, Taco Bell typically uses white long-grain rice for their signature side dish. However, you can use brown rice if preferred. It will just need to cook for longer.
Why is Mexican rice different?
Mexican rice is different from other types because it usually has more spices and flavors added to it, such as cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. It also often includes tomato sauce, giving it a unique flavor.
Conclusion
Taco Bell rice is a classic side dish that can be enjoyed with all your favorite Mexican meals. The key to making it taste just like the real thing is to use white long-grain rice and add in the right blend of spices and tomato sauce. With this easy recipe, Sweet Basil’s Cafe thinks that you can make your own delicious Taco Bell seasoned rice at home any time!
Taco Bell Seasoned Rice Recipe
This flavorful Mexican-inspired dish is surprisingly easy to make, using just a few simple ingredients that are likely already stocked in your pantry. For an extra zing of flavor, feel free to add new seasonings or herbs like garlic powder or chili pepper to suit your personal taste preferences.
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup Long-grain rice ((jasmine or basmati rice))
- ⅓ cup (jasmine or basmati rice)
- 2 tbsp Red bell pepper, finely minced
- 1 ½ cup Water
- 6 oz Tomato sauce (½ cup + 2 tbsp)
- 1 ½ tsp Salt
- 1 ½ tsp Ancho chili powder ((or other mild chili powder))
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ¼ tsp Coriander
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Juice of ½ a lime
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Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring often until lightly browned (about 8 minutes).
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Add the onion and bell pepper to the rice and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are softened (about 4 minutes).
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Add the water, tomato sauce, salt, ancho chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, coriander and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together until combined.
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Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
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When done cooking, remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired before serving. Enjoy!
- If you don’t have long-grain rice, you can also use basmati or jasmine.
- For best results, serve the finished product with your favorite taco toppings such as lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, and sour cream.
This article was originally posted on Liliana Kitchen but Liliana Kitchen is being acquired by Sweet Basil’s Cafe and all lilianakitchen.com content is copyrighted by cafesweetbasils.com
