Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Shari Mason
Mexican rice, known as arroz a la Mexicana, arroz Mexicano, or arroz rojo, is most famous for its distinct reddish-orange hue.
It gets its color from being cooked with cumin and uses onions, garlic, chicken broth, and tomatoes for added flavor.
Getting something store-bought to satisfy your Mexican cravings can be tempting since creating it from scratch can be incredibly time-consuming.
Thankfully, we’ve compiled this list of the best store-bought Mexican rice so good they taste like you worked in the kitchen all afternoon.
Top 12 Must-Try Store-Bought Mexican Rice
1. Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $2
Why We Love It: The Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice is one of the best side dishes you can pair with savory beef, chicken, pork, or the yummy filling for taco nights.
This long-grain white rice (enriched with iron and folic acid) is a quick-cook household staple and is widely used as a Mexican meal essential.
Aside from the traditional Mexican flavors, it incorporates sharp cheddar cheese for more umami. We like to prepare this on the stovetop or microwave for easy, fuss-free cooking. [1]
2. Mahatma Rice Mexican Style Red Rice
Average Price: Around $2
Why We Love It: Simple yet yummy Mexican rice can be made with Mahatma Rice. Mahatma Rice Mexican Style Red Rice combines chicken broth, tomatoes, onions, tomato paste, and garlic.
It also has some cumin to create a traditional and tasty rice side dish. We like adding a bit of jalapeno to add a bit of spice.
3. Rice-A-Roni Mexican Style
Average Price: Around $7 (for two)
Why We Love It: The Rice-A-Roni Mexican Style is for busy individuals who love a tasty dinner.
It is a pre-cooked rice and ‘roni blend seasoned with traditional Mexican spices like green chili peppers, red bell peppers, salt, tomatoes, and a dash of paprika. But how long can Mexican rice last in the fridge?
4. Vigo Mexican Rice, Prepared Meal
Average Price: Around $2.50
Why We Love It: The Vigo Mexican Rice, Prepared Meal is a versatile dish you can prepare one of three ways:
- Tossed with chicken and some vegetables for an easy, one-dish meal;
- Baked with cheese and tomatoes for a tasty casserole or
- Served as is as a fragrant side dish to traditional Mexican entrees.
Our personal favorite is pan-frying it with chorizo, monosodium glutamate, green bell peppers, and lots of garlic for a delicious Chorizo Fried Rice.
5. Casa Mexicana, Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $4
Why We Love It: Casa Mexicana, Mexican Rice, is an all-natural rice dish with no artificial preservatives and MSG, so if you’re conscious about what you consume, this is the way to go.
“Chicken, brown rice, and veggies is a great healthy dinner option. It’s full of whole grains and protein, and will keep you full for a long time.”
-Mia Hamm, American Soccer Player
It can be prepared in as little as 20 minutes on your stovetop, which is impressive as the brand boasts of bringing authentic Mexican flavors into your home quickly and conveniently.
6. Knorr Rice Sides Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $3.50
Why We Love It: Knorr Rice Sides Mexican Rice is expertly made with peppers, salt, onions, and jalapeno, flavored with traditional Mexican seasoning and added MSG. Vegans will also love this option as it’s wholly plant-based! [2]
It can enhance Mexican entrees with its amazing flavors. Pop this on the stovetop or microwave and enjoy delicious Mexican-style rice in seven minutes.
Add red pepper, green bell pepper, chili powder, tamari soy sauce, paprika, salt, and other artificial flavors to improve your side dish-Mexican rice.
We also tried the Knorr Fiesta sides whole grain Spanish rice, and we recommend it if you prefer Spanish rice mix.
Read: How Do Mexican Restaurants Make Their Ground Beef?
7. Del Real Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $5
Why We Love It: Del Real Mexican Rice is made with Mexican long-grain rice simmered in tomato bouillon and tossed with nutritious veggies like carrots, peas, and corn.
This Mexican boxed rice is gluten-free, completely vegetarian, and made in small-batch kettles (the traditional Mexican way).
Use this as your superstar in Mexican dishes like the Mexican Portobello Rice or Mexican tacos.
8. MEIO Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $11.30
Why We Love It: MEIO Mexican Rice is nutritious and delicious, made with yellow rice, corn, and traditional Mexican seasonings.
Its simple flavor allows us to customize this any way we want. You can serve it with traditional Mexican entrees or incorporate it with ground beef, tomatoes, jalapenos, and some lettuce for a one-dish meal.
9. Uncle Ben’s Mexican-Style Rice
Average Price: Around $1.75
Why We Love It: Uncle Ben can help you create yummy and wholesome meals every day of the week with their delicious packed rice — bonus points that it can be prepared in as little as 90 seconds!
Uncle Ben’s Mexican-style rice is made with white rice, tomato, bell peppers, and some jalapeno for some spice.
We love using this as a rice bed in our Mexican Chicken and Rice because it takes virtually no time to prepare.
Read: What Type of Cheese Do Mexican Restaurants Use?
10. Farmhouse Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $1.50
Why We Love It: Farmhouse Mexican Rice is made with long-grain rice and seasoned with traditional Mexican herbs and spices.
It says to add 2 ⅔ cups of water to the packaging, but personally, we like adding just a bit less at just 2 cups. The latter creates just the right fluffiness unique to yummy Mexican rice.
11. Goya Mexican Rice Mix
Average Price: Around $2
Why We Love It: Goya Foods has crafted the Goya Mexican Rice Mix with its secret blend of corn, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and jalapeno.
It is one of the best complimentary sides to many Mexican chicken, pork, or fish main dishes [3], perfect for those looking for something simple yet tasty.
12. Marks & Spencer Mexican Rice
Average Price: Around $4
Why We Love It: Marks & Spencer has done it again with Mexican Rice. This boxed rice dish is simple to prepare (quick-cook), yet it will make a great impression.
Store-bought Mexican rice can turn any meal into a fiesta of flavors right from your pantry
-Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice
It’s made with black turtle beans, sweet corn, and red bell peppers, lightly flavored with traditional Mexican spices. We love having this arroz rojo as a burrito stuffing or paired with Mom’s tasty chili con carne.
FAQs
What is the difference between Spanish and Mexican rice?
Many people think Spanish rice is heartier and has a bit more “bite” than Mexican rice, which tends to have a “melt-in-your-mouth” quality.
Is Mexican rice spicy?
Yes, Mexican rice is slightly spicy, but nothing too overwhelming. It gets its spice from jalapenos and traditional Mexican spices [4].
Why is Mexican rice orange?
Mexican rice is orange because it’s cooked with cumin. It also often uses tomato as one of its main ingredients, giving it a reddish-orange hue.
Final Thoughts
Mexican rice is hearty and filling, and store-bought Mexican rice bridges the gap between wanting to eat good food on busy nights.
Store-bought Mexican rice can be just as good and tasty as the real thing if you know which brands to choose.
Our personal favorite store-bought Mexican rice is Old El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice because it has just the right amount of cheesiness and spice.
We love having this in deep dish casseroles, tossed with chicken and veggies for a one-pan meal, or as a side dish to our favorite Mexican chili con carne.
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-umami
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-a-vegan
- https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/mexican-foods-take/
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mexican-tomato-rice
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