What Is Mexican-Style Rice?

Mexican-style rice is typically made by lightly toasting rice before simmering it with tomatoes or tomato sauce, broth, onions, garlic, and seasonings.

Toasting the rice first is important. It adds flavor and helps create the characteristic texture of Mexican-style rice rather than simply producing plain steamed rice with tomato sauce mixed into it.

There are countless variations depending on the cook, family traditions, and region.

For our version, we're using Marina's Tomato Sauce to add rich tomato flavor and pairing the rice with Circle B Ranch pork and grilled vegetables to turn a simple side dish into a satisfying meal.

Why Use Marina's Tomato Sauce in Mexican-Style Rice?

A good tomato sauce can completely change the flavor of a simple rice dish.

Marina's Tomato Sauce is traditionally Italian-style, but that doesn't mean it has to be reserved for spaghetti night!

That's one of the things we love about having a flavorful tomato sauce in the pantry. It can become the foundation for all kinds of meals.

Use it for:

• Pasta and spaghetti
• Pork dishes
• Rice
• Casseroles
• Soups
• Dipping sauces
• Stuffed peppers
• Skillet meals

And, of course, Mexican-inspired rice.

The herbs and seasonings in Marina's Tomato Sauce give this recipe an extra layer of flavor while keeping preparation simple.

Mexican-Style Rice with Pork and Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients

For the Pork:

• 1 pound Circle B Ranch ground pork or pork sausage
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Mexican-Style Rice:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Marina's Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Grilled Vegetables:

• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 cup corn
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Optional chili powder or taco seasoning

Optional Toppings

• Fresh cilantro
• Avocado
• Lime wedges
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Jalapeños
• Salsa
• Green onions

How to Make Mexican-Style Rice

Step 1: Toast the Rice

Heat the oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Add the uncooked rice and cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the grains begin to turn lightly golden.

This simple step adds flavor and helps give your finished rice a better texture.

Step 2: Add the Onion and Garlic

Add the diced onion and cook for another 2–3 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 3: Add Marina's Tomato Sauce

Pour in Marina's Tomato Sauce and broth.

Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper and stir everything together.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer the Rice

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.

Allow the rice to simmer for approximately 15–20 minutes, or according to the cooking time recommended for your rice.

Avoid repeatedly removing the lid or stirring while the rice cooks.

Once the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, remove it from the heat and let it rest, covered, for about 5 minutes.

Fluff with a fork before serving.

Cook the Pork

While the rice is cooking, add the Circle B Ranch ground pork to a skillet over medium heat.

Break the pork into crumbles as it cooks.

Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Continue cooking until the pork is completely cooked through and nicely browned.

You can serve the pork over the rice or stir it directly into the finished rice for an easy one-bowl meal.

Grill or Roast the Vegetables

Toss your vegetables with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings.

Grill until tender and lightly charred.

No grill? No problem.

Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven until tender and beginning to caramelize around the edges.

You can also sauté everything in a skillet when you need dinner on the table quickly.

Build Your Mexican-Inspired Pork and Rice Bowl

Now for the fun part!

Add Mexican-style rice to a bowl and top it with seasoned Circle B Ranch pork and plenty of grilled vegetables.

Then add your favorite toppings.

Try avocado and lime for freshness, jalapeños for a little heat, shredded cheese for richness, or cilantro and green onions for extra flavor.

Everyone can customize their own bowl, which makes this an especially easy dinner for families.

Make It Your Own

One of the best things about a pork and rice bowl is that there's really no single way to make it.

Have vegetables in the refrigerator that need to be used? Add them.

Leftover pork from last night's dinner? Use it instead of cooking ground pork.

You could make this recipe with:

• Ground pork
• Pork sausage
• Leftover pork tenderloin
• Chopped pork chops
• Pulled pork

You can also add black beans, pinto beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, or whatever else sounds good.

Recipes like this are an excellent way to reduce food waste while turning leftovers into a meal that feels completely different from the night before.

Is Mexican-Style Rice Good for Meal Prep?

Absolutely.

Rice bowls are one of our favorite meal-prep options because the individual components can be prepared ahead of time.

Make a batch of Mexican-style rice, cook your pork, and grill or roast your vegetables. Divide everything into individual containers and you'll have easy lunches or dinners ready to go.

Keep fresh toppings like avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and lime separate until you're ready to eat.

More Than Just Spaghetti Sauce

If you have a jar of Marina's Tomato Sauce in your pantry, don't feel like you have to wait for pasta night to use it.

A good pantry staple should be versatile.

From Mexican-style rice and pork skillet meals to soups, casseroles, and traditional pasta dishes, Marina's Tomato Sauce makes it easier to get a flavorful meal on the table without starting completely from scratch.

Pair it with quality Circle B Ranch pork, add some vegetables, and you've got the beginning of a delicious family dinner.

Put This Easy Pork Dinner on the Menu

Simple ingredients can make some of the best meals.

This Mexican-Style Rice with Marina's Tomato Sauce, Pork & Grilled Vegetables combines pantry staples, fresh vegetables, and quality pork into one colorful, flavorful dinner.

Serve everything family-style or let everyone build their own bowl.

Either way, don't be surprised if this one earns a regular spot in your dinner rotation.