Rice Cooker Mexican Rice (Easy, Frugal & Foolproof)
A simple homemade side dish with pantry ingredients
If you’ve ever wished dinner could feel just a little easier, this rice cooker Mexican rice might become one of your favorite kitchen shortcuts.
Everything goes right into the rice cooker:
- jasmine rice
- tomato paste
- broth
- garlic
- onion
- warm spices
Then the rice cooker takes over.
The result is fluffy, flavorful rice with a gentle tomato base and cozy spices that pair beautifully with tacos, beans, grilled chicken, or simple roasted vegetables.
No babysitting the stove.
No extra pans.
No stress.
Just simple food that works.
Why You’ll Love This Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
✅ Uses inexpensive pantry staples
✅ Made in one pot
✅ Easy to customize
✅ Great for meal prep
✅ Hands-off cooking
✅ Tastes comforting and homemade
This recipe is especially helpful on busy evenings when your energy feels low and you still want something warm and real on the table.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 100 ml Water
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with sauce
- 1 tbsp Dehydrated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
How to Make Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
Step 1: Rinse the Rice
Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer and shake well to remove extra water. This helps keep the rice fluffy instead of mushy.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Rice Cooker
Add the rice, broth, tomatoes, onion, garlic, butter, and seasonings directly into the rice cooker.
Give everything a good stir.
Step 3: Cook
Close the lid and press the cook setting.
Now you can walk away and let the rice cooker do the work.
Step 4: Fluff and Serve
Once finished, fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
Helpful Tips
- For extra spice, add a little more chili powder.
- Make sure the rice is drained well after rinsing.
- Stir the ingredients before cooking so the flavors distribute evenly.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Ways to Serve It
This rice pairs well with:
- tacos
- burrito bowls
- grilled chicken
- black beans
- roasted vegetables
- fried eggs
- simple salad dinners
It’s also wonderful tucked into meal prep containers for easy lunches during the week.
A Quiet Kind of Comfort
Some recipes aren’t fancy.
They simply make life feel softer.
This is one of those recipes.
A warm bowl of seasoned rice.
A quiet kitchen.
Dinner handled without much effort.
Sometimes that’s enough.
Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse the rice in a mesh strainer and shake well to remove excess water.
- Add the rice to the rice cooker along with the chicken broth, Tomato paste, water with sauce, onion, garlic, butter, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt.
- Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients and seasonings.
- Close the lid and start the rice cooker.
- Once the rice is finished cooking, fluff gently with a fork and serve warm.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
