Make Taco Bell Seasoned Rice at home in just 3 steps with this quick and easy recipe! Fluffy and flavorful, this rice is perfect as a side for Mexican-inspired dinners or as a filling for burritos, wraps, and taco bowls!
Love Taco Bell? Try our Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito and Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla next!
Taco Bell Seasoned Rice
Taco Bell’s rice is very much inspired by Mexican rice but, because it’s fast food, it’s made very differently hehe.
This is our go-to recipe for Taco Bell seasoned rice and the one we use for our favorite homemade Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burritos but it’s delicious as a side too!
This Taco Bell Seasoned Rice is:
- Just like Taco Bell but with healthier ingredients!
- Fluffy and flavorful.
- Quick and easy to make.
- Delicious as a side.
- Perfect for burritos, wraps, and taco bowls!
- Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan.
Taco Bell Seasoned Rice Ingredients
Rice, long-grained, washed to remove starch so it fluffs up instead of getting mushy!
Vegetable oil or butter, to toast the rice for better flavor and texture. If you want to go all out you can also sauté fresh garlic and onion in the oil/butter before toasting and skip the garlic and onion powder, it adds much more flavor!
Tomato paste, for that bright red color and that hint of tangy tomato goodness! In Mexican rice you’d use fresh tomatoes and a packet of sazon to add color and flavor but because sazon adds color because of food coloring and a hint of annatto, tomato paste is actually a great ingredient to add both hehe!
Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, ancho chili powder, paprika, cumin. Skip the garlic and onion if using fresh.
Water, to cook the rice!
Lime juice, for that hint of tang!
How to make Taco Bell rice at home
STEP ONE: Toast your rice. In a saucepan or skillet over medium heat, add butter or oil and allow to heat until hot. If using fresh onion and garlic, sauté until soft. Add the rice to the hot oil and toast for a minute while you stir.
STEP TWO: Season. Add the tomato paste, mix (be careful, it'll sizzle!) and cook for 30 seconds. Add the water, garlic powder and onion powder (skip if using fresh), chili powder, paprika, cumin and salt.
STEP THREE: Cook uncovered until the water starts boiling, then cover with a lid and cook until the water evaporates then top with lime juice!
How to serve Taco Bell Seasoned Rice
As a side dish, this rice is delicious with Mexican-inspired dishes and all sorts of beans! Serve with tacos, taquitos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas!
As a burrito filling, we make this for Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burritos but you can also use it for cheesy bean burritos or any kind of burrito you want!
In a bowl, pair with chicken, meat, shrimp or Taco Bell Ground Beef, your favorite beans, guacamole, tomatoes and sour cream for a quick meal! Corn is also delicious in bowls!
In a salad, pair with lettuce, beans, chicken and crumbled queso fresco for a refreshing summer meal! Top with our Avocado Cream or Baja Chipotle Sauce for a fun dressing!
In a casserole, use in any rice casserole recipe where seasoned rice pairs well!
Storing and Reheating Instructions
Storing Instructions: Store leftover rice in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat covered in a skillet over low heat with 2-3 tablespoon of water, stir occasionally. Or microwave for 60-90 seconds sprinkled with 1-2 tablespoon water loosely covered with a damp paper towel.
HAPPY COOKING!! I hope you'll love this Taco Bell Seasoned Rice Recipe as much as we do!
PS: Please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you make it! Your comments make my day!! You can also tag me on Instagram @itsdamnspicy 🌈💘
More Taco Bell recipes you’ll love:
- Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito
- Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla
- Taco Bell Ground Beef
Taco Bell Seasoned Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup (175 g) long-grain rice (washed)
- 1 tbsp (15 g) vegetable oil or butter
- 1 tbsp (15 g) tomato paste (or tomato passata if unseasoned or ketchup)
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (skip if using sauteed fresh garlic)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (skip if using sauteed fresh onion)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups (250 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice (about 1/2 lime)
Instructions
- Toast your rice. In a saucepan or skillet over medium heat, add butter or oil and allow to heat until hot. If using fresh onion and garlic, sauté until soft. Add the rice to the hot oil and toast for a minute while you stir.
- Season. Add the tomato paste, mix (be careful, it'll sizzle!) and cook for 30 seconds. Add the water, garlic powder and onion powder (skip if using fresh), chili powder, paprika, cumin and salt.
- Cook uncovered until the water starts boiling, then cover with a lid and cook until the water evaporates then top with lime juice!
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