This healthy one-pot Mexican-inspired brown rice recipe is easy to put together, no chopping involved, and oil-free.  Just throw everything in a pot and cook covered, which makes it perfect for a weeknight meal.  It's not a traditional recipe, we're using salsa and cilantro to give the brown rice flavor.

 The salsa I typically use wasn't very salty so I added ½ teaspoon of salt to the rice while it was cooking.  When the grains are done turn off the burner and steam the rice in the pot with the lid on for about 10 minutes.  For more flavor add chopped fresh cilantro to the rice before serving.

If you're looking for more ideas on adding flavor to brown rice, try my cilantro lime brown rice recipe.

Serving Suggestions

• Burrito bowl
• Vegan taco bowl
• A side to oil-free refried beans
• A side to refried bean taquitos
• Add cooked beans and some veggies for a filling meal
• Add beans and use them as a burrito filling
• As a side to walnut lentil taco meat

Brown Rice vs White Rice

I started to transition my family to a healthier diet with little tweaks to our meals: like choosing brown rice over white rice.  Brown rice is a whole grain and it’s full of health benefits.  According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, there are three parts to the whole grain: the bran, germ, and endosperm.  The bran is the outer layer, it’s full of fiber, b vitamins, iron, zinc, and magnesium. 

The germ is the core, which is full of healthy fats, vitamin E, b vitamins, and antioxidants.  The endosperm is an inner layer of carbohydrates, protein, and some vitamins and minerals.  Refined grains (white rice) have the bran and germ removed, which makes them more shelf-stable.  After the grains have been processed, all that is left is the carbohydrate and significantly fewer nutrients.

I hope you enjoy this easy one-pot Mexican-inspired brown rice recipe!

More Brown Rice Recipes

• Cilantro lime brown rice
• Oil-free fried rice
• Chickpea vegetable rice bowl

Mexican Inspired Brown Rice

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Allie
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 savings 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Easy and simple one-pot Mexican inspired brown rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1¾ cups water (plus a couple of extra tablespoons as needed)
• ½ cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
• fresh chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Add the brown rice, water, salsa, cumin, and salt to a pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook covered for 40 minutes or until the rice is done. If your salsa is very chunky you may need a couple of extra tablespoons of water.
3. When the rice is cooked remove it from the heat and keep the lid on to steam for 10 minutes.  Then fluff the rice and garnish with fresh cilantro for more flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Course, Side Dish
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: easy mexican brown rice, what to use brown rice for