Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (2024)

4.91 from 54 votes 159 Comments on Latin Yellow Rice

6 Cals: 199 Protein: 4 Carbs: 39 Fats: 2.5

30 mins

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We are big rice eaters in my house and one of my specialties is Latin yellow rice! This is a delicious side dish for any chicken or meat dish!

Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (7)
Latin Yellow Rice

This is my go-to recipe for Latin Yellow Rice! Every time I make it, I always get asked for the recipe! I shared this recipe when I first started blogging in 2008, so it was time for a photo makeover. I’m sharing it with all of you so you can make it too! It’s the perfect side dish to go with beans, grilled steaks, pork chops, cilantro lime shrimp, pollo sabroso and more!

Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (8)

I’m slightly obsessed with this yellow rice and have been making it for years! So many people tell me they can’t make rice. This is my foolproof method to make perfect fluffy yellow rice every time!

How To Make Yellow Rice

  • Water to rice ratio – I use long grain rice and keep the water to rice ratio 2 to 1. If you use short grain rice, you may want to reduce the liquid to 1.5 to 1.
  • To rinse the rice or not – I never rinse my rice, but many people do. Rinsing it does make it less starchy. Whether you rinse it or not it will still turn out fine.
  • Don’t touch until it’s done. Let it sit 5 minutes after cooking, then fluff the rice with a fork. Don’t stir it while it’s cooking, it will smash the rice.
  • Don’t open the lid until it’s finished and has rested 5 minutes. The steam is what will finish cooking the rice, if you lift the lid you will lose the steam.
  • You will need a heavy pot with a tight fitted lid to make rice. This is a must, if any steam escapes your rice will be under cooked.
  • If you don’t have a tight fitted lid, you can place a sheet of foil over the pot, then top with the lid to prevent steam from escaping.
  • Don’t cover the rice until most of the liquid has been absorbed and is just skimming the top or it will come out too wet.

Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (9)

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Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (10)

Yellow Rice Recipe

4.91 from 54 votes

6

Cals:199

Protein:4

Carbs:39

Fat:2.5

We are big rice eaters in my house and one of my specialties is Latin yellow rice! This is a delicious side dish for any chicken or meat dish!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Latin

Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (11)

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 3 /4 cup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked long grain rice
  • 4 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 large chicken or veggie bouillon cube, such as knorrs or maggi
  • 5 medium scallions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 packet Badia Sazon seasoning*, or see my homemade sazon recipe
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

Instructions

  • In a medium heavy pot with a tight fitting lid, heat oil on medium heat and saute scallions, cilantro and garlic for about 2 minutes, until tender,

  • Add the tomatoes and saute another minute, until they get soft.

    Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (12)

  • Add rice and saute 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently.

    Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (13)

  • Add water, bouillon cube, sazón plus 1 teaspoon salt.

  • Taste 4 cups water and taste for salt, it should be flavorful and salty enough, adjust as needed.

  • Let the water boil on a high heat stirring once at this point.

  • As the water boils down and just barely skims the top of the rice, reduce heat to very low and cover 15 minutes.

  • The steam will cook the rice so do not open the lid.

  • After 15 minutes, shut the flame off and let it sit at least 5 more minutes without touching the lid.

    Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (14)

  • The steam will finish cooking the rice without burning the bottom. Then fluff with a fork and enjoy.

Last Step:

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Notes

*Badia makes a sazon that contains no msg.

Helpful Tips:

Water to rice ratio – I use long grain rice and keep the water to rice ratio 2 to 1. If you use short grain rice, you may want to reduce the liquid to 1.5 to 1.

To rinse the rice or not – I never rinse my rice, but many people do. Rinsing it does make it less starchy. Whether you rinse it or not it will still turn out fine.

Don’t touch until it’s done. Let it sit 5 minutes after cooking, then fluff the rice with a fork. Don't stir it while it's cooking, it will smash the rice.

Don't open the lid until it's finished and has rested 5 minutes. The steam is what will finish cooking the rice, if you lift the lid you will lose the steam.

You will need a heavy pot with a tight fitted lid to make rice. This is a must, if any steam escapes your rice will be under cooked.

If you don't have a tight fitted lid, you can place a sheet of foil over the pot, then top with the lid to prevent steam from escaping.

Don't cover the rice until most of the liquid has been absorbed and is just skimming the top or it will come out too wet.

Nutrition

Serving: 3 /4 cup, Calories: 199 kcal, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 2.5 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Sodium: 563.5 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 0.5 g

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Post a pic and mention @skinnytaste or tag #skinnytaste!

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Categories:

  • Dairy Free
  • Freezer Meals
  • Gluten Free
  • Grains and Legume Recipes
  • Kid Friendly
  • Latin Recipes
  • Lenten Friendly Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Sides
  • Under 30 Minutes
  • Vegetarian Meals
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes

Posted By: Gina

Latin Yellow Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Mexican yellow rice made of? ›

Ingredients You Need

We use turmeric for a lovely hue and subtle earthy flavor. However, feel free to use a pinch of annatto or saffron to create your version of yellow rice! For this Mexican yellow rice recipe, you need: Dried long-grain rice – white rice is classic but you can use brown.

What is the difference between yellow and Mexican rice? ›

One of the main differences between these two rice dishes is that Mexican rice is fluffier and tends not to stick together. Whilst Spanish Rice is known for that rich yellow color, Mexican Rice is best known for its reddish orange hue that it gets from being cooked with cumin.

How do Chinese restaurants make rice yellow? ›

Golden fried rice is another way of Chinese egg fried rice. The golden yellow color comes from the egg yolk. The method of making golden fried rice is different from classic fried rice. The egg is mixed with rice directly before stir-frying.

What makes rice yellow? ›

While some varieties of rice naturally have a yellow cast, cooks across Latin America, South Africa, South Asia, the Meditteranean, and their diasporas often turn to highly pigmented flavorings like achiote (also called annatto), saffron, or turmeric to lend plain white rice a bright yellow color and singular flavor.

What is Carolina yellow rice? ›

With a vibrant yellow hue, and fragrant aroma, yellow rice is prepared with a bold combination of spices like saffron, annatto and turmeric. Make any dish shine by serving with a colorful family favorite side dish like yellow rice.

Why does yellow rice taste different? ›

Either turmeric or saffron can be used to make rice yellow. Turmeric offers a brighter and more flavorful result. Some people also like using annato but that makes the rice more orange or even red instead of yellow.

Why is Mexican rice so orange? ›

Did you ever wonder why Mexican rice is a red-orange color? Cumin is the answer. It provides that nutty and spicy taste and is the famous culprit for the red-orange color. Cumin is always an ingredient in this rice.

What ethnicity is yellow rice? ›

Yellow rice is a traditional yellow-colored rice dish in Iranian, West Asian, Moroccan, Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Caribbean, Portuguese, Filipino, Afghan, Indian, Sri Lankan, South African and Indonesian cuisines.

Why does Mexican restaurant rice taste better? ›

Why does Mexican restaurant rice taste better? The method used to make Mexican rice involves lightly frying the uncooked rice in oil which helps it absorb more flavor from the seasoning and cook to a perfect consistency. In addition, a traditional blend of spices and diced vegetables and potatoes create unique flavor.

Is yellow rice healthy to eat? ›

Because of the turmeric, yellow rice provides anti-inflammatory benefits. Additionally, it contains riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Plus, you'll find that yellow rice has minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

How does Mexican rice get its color? ›

Mexican rice's vibrant color comes from tomato puree, either homemade or store-bought. It should not be confused with tomato paste, another common condiment used to flavor and color food. Tomato puree is made from tomatoes that are lightly cooked, then—as its name suggests—pureed into a smooth and silky liquid.

What cultures eat yellow rice? ›

  • Yellow rice is typical Indonesian food,similar to fried rice and "Nasi Uduk", yellow rice cooked from processed rice, coconut milk and concoction of spices. ...
  • The presentation of Manado yellow rice is quite unique. ...
  • Yellow rice is also a popular food in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

What is the red stuff in fried rice? ›

The pork used in fried rice is typically char siu, a type of Chinese barbecued fried pork with a sweet flavor and crispy red exterior. The red hue on the pork comes from the sticky, crave-able barbecue sauce in which it's marinaded before roasting.

Why is my yellow rice always hard? ›

Maybe you took the lid off of the pot too early, letting the steam escape. Maybe you didn't add enough liquid to begin with. Whatever the case, if your rice is looking dried out, or the texture is still hard or crunchy when all the liquid has been absorbed, add up to ½ cup water and return to a simmer with the lid on.

What is the mold on yellow rice? ›

Penicillium citreonigrum Dierckx is the name of the mould that turns rice yellowish. Another can turn it brownish. Infected rice does not really look like Golden Rice. My point is rather that people in places where rice often gets wet during storage generally know that yellow rice is dangerous.

Do you wash yellow rice before cooking? ›

Rinsing it does make it less starchy. Whether you rinse it or not it will still turn out fine. Don't touch until it's done. Let it sit 5 minutes after cooking, then fluff the rice with a fork.

Is golden rice the same as yellow rice? ›

Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color, hence its name. Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering.

What is Greek Carolina rice? ›

This long grain rice, also known as Carolina, was grown in a small family farm next to the rivers of Serres (Northern Greece), in ideal microclimate conditions. Proper sunlight and the right humidity levels in this area, the valley of river Strymon, contribute further to its growth.

What is Charleston gold rice? ›

Andy's Charleston Gold Rice is a firm-textured, long-grain, aromatic rice with a wholesome, nutty flavor. Delicious simply boiled or steamed, the rice is also a secret ingredient for adding another layer of flavor to your favorite recipes.

Why is my yellow rice mushy? ›

Too much water

Different types of rice have different rice-to-water ratios. If you don't use the appropriate amount, then your rice will turn out mushy.

What is yellow rice called? ›

Fluffy and fragrant, this recipe for saffron rice (also known as yellow rice) is quick, easy, and comes together in less than 30 minutes, adding vibrant color and floral notes to your weeknight dinner routine. Photo Credits: Mariam Hamdy. Saffron rice is a vibrant, flavorful, and delicious staple of Persian cuisine.

Is yellow rice good for diabetics? ›

People with diabetes can include rice as part of a healthful diet, but they should: Eat rice in moderation, and be mindful that 1 cup of rice contains 45 g of carbs. Spread their intake of rice and other carbs evenly throughout the day.

What kind of rice is Mexican rice made from? ›

Mexican rice (sometimes referred to as Spanish rice or red rice in Tex–Mex cuisine), also known as arroz a la mexicana, arroz mexicano, sopa de arroz, or arroz rojo in Spanish, is a Mexican side dish made from white rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and perhaps other ingredients.

How was yellow rice created? ›

Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain - a minor tweak that improved the grain's nutritive value.

How many calories are in Mexican yellow rice? ›

One cup of regular white rice has about 170 calories, while Goya Yellow Rice Spanish Style Arroz Amarillo has 640 calories per cup. Yellow rice is typically made with the addition of oil and/or butter, some vegetables and annatto powder or saffron.

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