Quick and easy Mexican Fried rice is a gluten Free, Vegan One Pot meal that works well for parties and lunchboxes alike.
As her age would demand, my pre-teen loves spicy and tangy food. Today’s dish was specially made for her school lunchbox as she wanted to something ‘teekha and chatpata‘. If you have previously cooked and cooled rice (which I did) , its a breeze to make this even on rushed school mornings to pack this for the lunchbox. Parties / potlucks – you have it covered with this crowd pleaser Mexican Fried Rice.
Mexican cuisine is welcome any time at home, be it Esquites (Warm Corn Salad) , Xnipec Salsa, Mexican inspired Sizzler platter or kids’ favourite Mexican Fusion Roti Nachos (and mine too, for obvious reasons :p)
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Tips to make this Mexican Rice more delish:
- Team it up with salsa + guacamole to make it a complete meal.
- Add sauteed corn / Avocado / Peppers to the Mexican rice to make it more fibre rich
- Be sure to use previously cooked and cooled rice for best results.
- Easily doubled / tripled if feeding a crowd
- If making for a party, adjust salt + spice accordingly. We like this moderately spicy
- You can also make the rice ahead, refreigerate a day prior and use it to make the Mexican Fried Rice Burrito Wraps
- Leftovers freeze well. store in airtight glass / Freezer-safe containers. Thaw / Microwave and use accordingly.
PIN FOR LATER
Prep time – 10 mins, Cook time – 10 mins, Serves – 2
Course : Main Course / One Pot meal ; Cuisine : Mexican Fusion
What you need to make Mexican Rice
- 1 Cup Rice (Cooked and cooled)
- 2-3 Jalapeños (adjust spice, thinly or thickly sliced)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Frozen peas (opt. – I add this to add protein to the carb-heavy dish)
- 2 TBSP Carrots (minced fine, optional)
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Spicy red chilly paste
- 3 large tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 Onion (medium,minced fine)
- 2 Garlic (minced fine)
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika (sub with kashmiri red chilli powder)
How to make Mexican Rice
- In a thick pan, heat oil. Saute the garlic and onions till onions turn translucent.
- Now add the chopped tomatoes (blitzed coarsely), frozen peas, carrots, salt and sprinkle little water.
- Cook and cover till the tomatoes turn mushy and soft (about 4-5 mins).
- Now add the spicy red chilly paste, red paprika and stir well.
- Now add the jalapeños and saute for 1 min.
- Add rice in the end, stir well without making it mushy.
- Serve hot or warm. Ideal for school lunchboxes too !
Mexican Fried Rice | How to make Mexican Fried Rice | GF and Vegan
Quick and easy Mexican Fried rice is a gluten Free, Vegan One Pot meal that works well for parties and lunchboxes alike.
Equipment
- Spice Grinder
- Thick Bottomed Pan
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Rice Cooked and cooled
- 2-3 Jalapeños adjust spice, thinly or thickly sliced
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Frozen peas opt. – I add this to add protein to the carb-heavy dish
- 2 TBSP Carrots minced fine, optional
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Spicy red chilly paste
- 3 large tomatoes chopped
- 1 Onion medium,minced fine
- 2 Garlic minced fine
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika sub with kashmiri red chilli powder
Instructions
- In a thick pan, heat oil. Saute the garlic and onions till onions turn translucent.
- Now add the chopped tomatoes (blitzed coarsely), frozen peas, carrots, salt and sprinkle little water.
- Cook and cover till the tomatoes turn mushy and soft (about 4-5 mins).
- Now add the spicy red chilly paste, red paprika and stir well.
- Now add the jalapeños and saute for 1 min.
- Add rice in the end, stir well without making it mushy.
- Serve hot or warm. Ideal for school lunchboxes too !
Notes
Tips to make this Mexican Rice more delish:
- Team it up with salsa + guacamole to make it a complete meal.
- Add sauteed corn / Avocado / Peppers to the Mexican rice to make it more fibre rich
- Be sure to use previously cooked and cooled rice for best results.
- Easily doubled / tripled if feeding a crowd
- If making for a party, adjust salt + spice accordingly. We like this moderately spicy
- You can also make the rice ahead, refreigerate a day prior and use it to make the Mexican Fried Rice
- Leftovers freeze well. store in airtight glass / Freezer-safe containers. Thaw / Microwave and use accordingly.
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A quick fix meal. The rice sounds easy enough to prepare and close to the flavors we are used to.
Here my kids are the opposite. They would stay hungry rather than eat at school cafetaria. The food and the veg options are that good in US schools.☺
Perfect dish to make with the leftover rice. I know when kids grow they do not want to take food from home, I have one here too. Jalapeno mexican fried rice looks super delicious. I love jalapenos, when ever i make any non veg biryani, i just roast or fry them in 1/2 spoon of oil or u can even just bake it applying little oil. They taste too good.
Jalapeños are the highlight of the Mexican Cuisine and a rice with it sounds really very flavourful . Perfectly made rice which will be enjoyed by all .
That is surely a hit with kids who loves spicy food, good one Kalyani.
Nice pick for the alphabet. The rice looks really spicy and absolutely yum.
Mexican rice are always a delight… beautifully done..
Wow! I am sure my older one will love this. Looks very tempting.My kids never like to eat in the school cafeteria as there is usually a long line and it is a hassle to wait etc. Moreover how can amma be stress free and not worry about lunch boxes, right?
I am going to try this for Raghav. For the past two months, he is asking me to make super spicy food. It's sudden change. This is indeed a chatpata one.
Ah I have yet to start with Mexican cooking and this dish looks a perfect start. Simple, easy and spicy
I love spicy fried rice a lot and yours looks so irresistible, can't wait to try it.
This sounds so spicy and flavourful!! I think teenage girls love spicy food. I too have a teenager in house who just loves anything spicy!! I think I shall make it for her this one..
I usually don’t add peas, a good idea. Love having Mexican Fried Rice on its own, so flavourful and filling too.
Thanks, Mayuri. Peas is optional though we like the flavour
Love such quick to make rice recipes! The color on this delish Mexican fried rice makes it more inviting kalyani! Love how simple and the flavors are close to ours ! Brilliant share!
thank you,Priya! yes, the flavours are very close to Indian cuisine, yet with a twist…
Mexican flavors are so close to the Indian taste buds. Adding veggies is a good idea to make this rice a one pot meal. Loved its color too. Sometimes I do have left over cooked rice. This time I shall make it your way. I enjoy such spicy foods during wintry days.
sounds like a plan,Neha… yes winter days makes us crave for spicy meals like these !
This is one of our best lunchbox ideas. Plus I have leftover for wraps so great meal prep idea too.
Thanks Seema! yes, I make extra so we can have Mex-inspired wraps the next day too :p