This Fiesta Rice is a colorful and tasty side dish that can be part of a Mexican-inspired meal or enjoyed on its own. With a mix of fresh veggies, black beans, and a zesty dressing, it’s ready in just 15 minutes! Serve it cold for a refreshing summer side dish, or warm it up a little!
If you’re looking to complement your Fiesta Rice with more Mexican-inspired dishes, check out these delicious recipes: Air Fryer Steak Fajitas, Instant Pot Carnitas, Beef Chili Stuffed Shells, and Sheet Pan Quesadillas. For another tasty Mexican rice option, be sure to try our very popular Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice. Each recipe pairs wonderfully with Fiesta Rice to create a flavorful and satisfying meal!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. You can have a delicious and healthy dish ready to go without spending much time in the kitchen.
- Healthy and Colorful: Packed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions, along with protein-rich black beans, this dish is both nutritious and vibrant. It’s a great way to add more veggies to your diet in a fun and tasty way.
- Versatile: Fiesta Rice can be enjoyed warm or chilled, making it suitable for any season. Serve it as a side dish with your favorite Mexican meals, or enjoy it on its own as a light and satisfying main course. You can even customize it with extra ingredients like jalapenos, avocado, or tortilla chips to suit your taste.
Ingredients Needed
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
- Rice:Use leftover rice or cook it fresh. Make sure it’s cooled to avoid mushiness when mixing.
- Black Beans: Rinse and drain the beans well to remove excess salt and improve the flavor.
- Corn Kernels: Use canned, fresh, or frozen corn. If using fresh corn, cook it lightly before adding.
- Roma or Cherry Tomatoes: Dice the tomatoes evenly to ensure they mix well with the other ingredients.
- Green and Orange Bell Peppers: Use any color! Dice the peppers finely for a more even distribution of flavor and color.
- Red Onion: Dice the onion finely and soak in cold water for a few minutes to reduce its sharpness.
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor in the dressing.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a brighter and fresher taste than bottled. If necessary, substitute with fresh lemon juice.
- Fresh Cilantro: Chop the cilantro right before adding it to the dressing to keep it fresh and flavorful.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder and ground cumin blend well in the dressing, you can use fresh minced garlic if that’s what you have available. You will also need salt, and pepper.
How To Make Fiesta Rice
Since we are using pre-cooked rice, all we have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl! If you need to cook the rice, choose long grain rice and use 1:1¼ ratio of rice to water and half a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible. Cook for 12 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork. Allow to cool before mixing with the veggies.
To make Fiesta Rice, start by combining the dressing ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the rice ingredients, then dress the rice with the prepared dressing.
Tips For Making Mexican Fiesta Rice
- Use Cooled Rice: Make sure the rice is completely cooled before mixing with other ingredients to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest vegetables you can find for the best flavor and texture of the dish.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the rice salad after mixing and adjust the salt, pepper, and lime juice to your preference.
- Mix Gently: When combining the ingredients, mix gently to avoid mashing the beans and breaking the rice.
- Customize: Feel free to add extras like diced jalapenos, avocado, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
Storing
- Refrigerate Leftovers: Store leftover Fiesta Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to keep it fresh.
- Freeze for Longer Storage: If you want to keep the Fiesta Rice for a longer period, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Keep Dressing Separate: If you plan to make Fiesta Rice ahead of time, consider storing the dressing separately and mixing it in just before serving to maintain the freshness of the ingredients.
- Portion Sizes: Divide leftovers into individual portions before refrigerating or freezing. This makes it easier to grab just what you need without thawing the entire batch.
- Reheat Gently: If you prefer to eat the rice warm, reheat it gently in the microwave. Add a splash of lime juice or a small drizzle of olive oil to refresh the flavors before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much dry rice should I cook to make 2 ½ cups of cooked rice?
To make 2 ½ cups of cooked long-grain rice, you’ll need approximately 1 cup of dry rice. Typically, 1 cup of dry rice yields about 3 cups of cooked rice.
Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other types of rice such as brown rice or jasmine rice. Just keep in mind that cooking times and water ratios may vary.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
To adjust the spiciness, you can add diced jalapenos to the mixture. Start with a small amount and taste as you go to reach your desired level of heat.
Can I Serve This Rice Recipe Warm?
Absolutely, this Fiesta Rice is delicious served warm as well. Though it’s particularly refreshing cold during the summer, a warm version is great for cooler weather.
For a warm dish, lightly sauté the bell peppers, onion, corn, and jalapeno in a small amount of oil until tender. Then stir in the tomatoes and black beans, and heat through. Mix with the warm rice and dressing.
We hope you enjoy this Fiesta Rice as much as we do! It’s a bright and flavorful dish that’s great for a quick meal or a festive side. Don’t forget to pin this recipe and share your experience with us by leaving a review!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Fiesta Rice
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice:
- 2 ½ cups cooked long grain rice
- 14 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
- 14 oz can corn kernels drained
- 1 cup diced roma or cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup green bell peppers diced
- ½ cup orange bell peppers diced
- ½ cup red onion diced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chopped cilantro, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, green bell peppers, orange bell peppers, and red onion.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the rice mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, or if preferred, warm the mixture slightly or chill it in the refrigerator for a refreshing cold side dish.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 1-3 months.
- Substitutions: Swap lemon juice and parsley for the lime and cilantro if needed.
- Variations: Add diced jalapenos, diced avocado, or crushed tortilla chips for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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