This easy Tajín rice recipe needs only six ingredients, including Tajín Clásico seasoning, and makes a bright, buttery, citrusy side dish. It is vegetarian as written and can be made vegan by using vegan butter.
Why you’ll love it:
- This Tajín rice is quick, simple, and ready in under thirty minutes.
- It uses a short list of easy ingredients and turns plain white rice into a flavorful side dish.
- It works beautifully with tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, taco salads, quesadillas, enchiladas, vegetables, and your favorite protein.
- It can be used anywhere you would normally serve Mexican rice or Spanish rice, but it is much easier to prepare.
- The flavor is buttery, tangy, lightly salty, and citrusy, with only a very mild chili note.
- If you enjoy Tajín seasoning, this is a great way to bring that lime-chili flavor into a simple rice recipe.
- When made as directed, the rice turns out tender, fluffy, and separated rather than mushy.
Try it with my…
- Spicy peri peri tofu
- Easy vegan quesadillas
- 15-minute vegan garlic bread
- Vegan chilli with Guinness
Ingredients and substitutions
This Tajín rice recipe uses just six ingredients: long-grain rice, garlic powder, onion powder, vegetable stock, butter, and Tajín Clásico seasoning. The ingredients are simple, but measuring them accurately and rinsing the rice well are the keys to getting fluffy, well-seasoned rice.
Long-grain rice: Long-grain white rice is the best choice for this recipe because it steams well and gives light, separate grains. Basmati rice can also work, but avoid using old rice that has been sitting in the pantry for years. Brown rice is not recommended unless it is parboiled, as it usually needs more liquid and a longer cooking time.
Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a gentle savory flavor. If you do not have it, use one small crushed garlic clove instead. If you do not like garlic, you can leave it out.
Onion powder: Onion powder gives the rice more depth. If you do not have it, or if you dislike the flavor, simply omit it.
Vegetable stock: Vegetable stock seasons the rice as it cooks. You can use prepared stock, bouillon, or vegetable stock cubes mixed with hot water according to the package instructions. Low-sodium stock is a good option because Tajín Clásico already contains salt.
Butter: Butter makes the rice rich and glossy. Use good-quality butter, or choose a high-quality vegan butter or vegan margarine for a dairy-free version. Oil is not recommended because it does not give the same flavor or texture.
Tajín seasoning: Use Tajín Clásico seasoning or low-sodium Tajín Clásico seasoning. If you use the low-sodium version, taste the finished rice before serving and add a little salt only if needed.
How to make it
Making Tajín rice is straightforward, but the details matter. Rinsing the rice properly, using the correct amount of stock, and keeping the lid closed during cooking will help you achieve fluffy rice with a bright, balanced flavor.
Start by rinsing the rice thoroughly. Instead of only running water over it, place the uncooked long-grain rice in a small or medium saucepan and add enough water to cover the rice by about one inch. Use your hand to gently massage the grains until the water becomes very cloudy. This removes excess starch and helps prevent sticky or gummy rice.
Drain the cloudy water, then repeat the process three more times, or until the water is mostly clear. After the final rinse, drain the rice very well. Too much leftover rinse water can change the cooking ratio and affect the texture.
Add the vegetable stock, garlic powder, and onion powder to the drained rice. Stir briefly so the seasonings are distributed through the liquid. Place a tight-fitting lid on the saucepan and set it over high heat. If your lid has a steam vent, cover the vent with a small piece of aluminum foil or another heat-safe cover to help keep the steam inside.
For slightly firm, fluffy rice, use one and three-quarter cups of vegetable stock. If you prefer a softer rice texture, you can increase the stock to two cups or a little more, but the original amount gives the best separated grains.
Once the stock reaches a lively simmer, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and set a timer for ten minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time. The trapped steam is essential for cooking the rice evenly.
After ten minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, still covered, for another ten minutes. Do not peek. This resting time allows the rice to finish steaming and helps the grains firm up without drying out.
Remove the lid and add the butter or vegan butter. Use a fork to fluff the rice gently while mixing in the melted butter. Once the rice is lightly coated, add the Tajín Clásico seasoning and stir until it is evenly distributed.
Let the rice stand for three to five minutes before serving. Right after adding the Tajín, the flavor can taste quite strong, but a short rest allows the seasoning to hydrate, dissolve, and blend with the butter and stock. Taste the rice, then add a little more Tajín if you want a stronger citrus-chili flavor.
Serve hot as a side dish or use it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, bowls, or salads.
Leftover Tajín rice can be stored in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to five days. It can also be frozen. To reheat refrigerated or defrosted rice, add two to three tablespoons of water, cover, and heat until steaming hot. Let it sit for five minutes before opening and fluffing.
Tips
If you want to make Tajín rice ahead of time, cook the rice as directed, then transfer it to a covered container and let it cool. Store it in the refrigerator until needed. When ready to serve, reheat the rice until steaming hot, then stir in the butter and Tajín seasoning just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
Rice too hard?
If the rice is still too firm, the lid may not have sealed tightly, too much steam may have escaped, the heat may not have been reduced in time, or the rice may have cooked too quickly. Fortunately, undercooked rice can usually be fixed.
For the microwave method, transfer the rice to a microwave-safe container and add extra water. Start with about half a cup. Cover tightly with a lid or microwave-safe wrap and heat on full power until the water boils and creates steam, about five minutes. Let it sit for another five minutes, then fluff and check the texture. Repeat if needed, then drain any excess liquid before adding butter and Tajín.
If you do not have a microwave, add one cup of nearly boiling water to the pot, cover, and cook on low for five minutes. Remove from the heat and let it stand for another five minutes. Stir and check the rice. If it is still too firm, repeat the process. Drain off any extra liquid before finishing with butter and Tajín seasoning.
FAQs
Tajín rice is best enjoyed in moderation. It is made with white rice, butter, and Tajín seasoning, which adds sodium. It is a flavorful side dish rather than a low-sodium or low-fat dish.
Not really. Tajín Clásico has a mild chili flavor, and the amount used in this recipe seasons several cups of rice. The main flavor is tangy lime with a gentle hint of heat.
Tajín Clásico is a dry seasoning made with red chili peppers, salt, and lime. It has a strong citrus flavor with a mild chili finish.
Tajín is commonly used on fruit, vegetables, popcorn, marinades, spice rubs, and many savory snacks. It adds tangy lime flavor and a light chili kick.
Probably not. The main flavor of this rice comes from Tajín Clásico, so if you do not enjoy that seasoning, a different flavored rice recipe would be a better choice.
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📖 Recipe
Tajín Rice Recipe
This fluffy buttered Tajín rice is a quick and flavorful side dish that upgrades plain white rice with tangy lime-chili seasoning. Use dairy butter for a vegetarian version or vegan butter for a vegan version.
3 minutes
20 minutes
5 minutes
28 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white long-grain rice (300g)
- 1¾ cups low-sodium vegetable stock (420ml)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground onion
- 3 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons Tajín Clásico seasoning
Instructions
- Place the rice in a small or medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover it by about one inch, then massage the rice with your hand until the water turns cloudy. Pour off the water and repeat three more times, or until the water is mostly clear. Drain well.
- Add the vegetable stock, garlic powder, and onion powder to the saucepan. Stir briefly to combine.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, preferably one without a steam vent. Heat on high until the stock reaches a lively simmer.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cook for ten minutes. Do not lift the lid while the rice cooks.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for another ten minutes.
- Remove the lid and add the butter. Fluff the rice gently with a fork while mixing the butter through the grains.
- Add the Tajín Clásico seasoning and stir until evenly distributed. Let the rice sit for three to five minutes, then stir again, taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4
Serving Size
1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196
Total Fat 12g
Saturated Fat 7g
Trans Fat 0g
Unsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 31mg
Sodium 1091mg
Carbohydrates 20g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 1g
Protein 2g