Fiesta Rice is just as it sounds! A party of Mexican flavors incorporated into rice, making the perfect side dish to tacos, enchiladas, and more.
This blog post and recipe is sponsored by Success Rice. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting brands that make A Paige Of Positivity possible.
About this Rice Recipe
Other than chips and salsa, it’s sometimes hard to come up with a tasty, easy side dish for a Mexican meal. But enter this Mexican Fiesta Rice recipe, which is welcomed on the table next time you’re having your favorite tacos (try these Crockpot Chicken Tacos), turkey enchiladas, or need a base to your burrito bowls.
I love this recipe for summer, too, because it’s full of colorful veggies (many of which are in season) and the freshest flavors! It also includes black beans and jalapeños with a honey lime dressing that takes it to the next level.
It reminds me a lot of Cowboy Caviar, which I can never seem to get enough of.
Let your taste buds have a party and try this family favorite, easy recipe. Looking for more rice dishes? Also try this Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice, this Parmesan Rice, this Mushroom Rice Pilaf, or this Vegan Rice Bowl which I think you’ll enjoy, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Uncooked Rice – I used Success Boil-in-Bag White Rice. It is quick and simple to make and you get perfectly fluffy rice every time! You could also use plain leftover rice from another meal.
- Beans – We’ll use a can of black beans. Don’t forget to drain and rinse.
- Veggies – Corn, bell peppers, jalapeños (coop out the seeds for less heat, or use a can of mild green chilies), onion, and cherry tomatoes.
- Garnish – Avocado and cilantro will be added on top. Feel free to add a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of chile lime seasoning on top, too.
- Dressing – Made with honey, lime juice, olive oil and red wine vinegar. The dressing gives this cold rice dish the perfect pop of flavor.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Rice: Use any variation of rice – brown rice, white rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, etc. You can also try it with quinoa or to make it lower carb, try cauliflower rice.
- Beans: Any bean will do! Try pinto beans, white beans, black eyed peas or garbanzo beans. You could even do refried beans, which will result in a creamier textured dish.
- Veggies: Fiesta rice is a great way to use up leftover veggies in your fridge. In addition or in place of any of the vegetables listed, try chopped broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, summer squash, shallots, carrots, peas, etc.
- Dressing: Instead of the homemade honey lime vinaigrette, you could use a store bought dressing like a garlicy basil, honey mustard vinaigrette, or even a green goddess.
How to Make This Recipe
1. First, prepare the Success Boil-in-Bag White Rice according to box instructions. Once it’s cooked, remove from the bag and put into a bowl. Chill the rice while preparing the other ingredients.
2. Prepare the bag of frozen corn according to bag instructions. Finely dice the jalapeños, red onion, bell peppers, avocado and cilantro. Quarter the cherry tomatoes. Rinse and drain black beans.
3. Once the rice is cooled, add all of the veggies into the bowl. Toss so everything is evenly distributed.
4. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a mason jar. Add the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour the dressing over the rice and toss to coat.
5. Sprinkle with rice chile lime seasoning and add an optional drizzle of honey if you like a sweeter dish. Serve cold and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Chop all of the veggies small and in the same shape to ensure you get all of the flavors in each bite. I love using this veggie chopper because it dices everything into a uniform shape!
- Add chicken bouillon or tomato bouillon cube mixed into the rice to take the flavors up a notch.
- Prefer a warm dish? Sauté all of the veggies on the stove top and add the cooked rice, spices and dressing to the skillet for a take more similar to fried rice.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe is great as leftover rice and/or for meal prep. Store in an airtight container for up to five days. This is a chilled dish, but if you prefer it warm heat in the microwave for ~60 seconds or until warm throughout. Tik Tok hack: Add an ice cube on top of the rice dish before reheating to keep the rice from drying out!
Mexican Rice is the red-ish colored rice made with rice, tomato, garlic and onion (not to be confused with Spanish Rice, distinguished by the inclusion of saffron). Fiesta Rice has more of the add-ins including black beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, etc.
This recipe goes great with any Mexican food. Serve it on Cinco de Mayo with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, etc. I also enjoy this rice dish with ground chicken mixed in or with grilled chicken on top with a dollop of sour cream for a satisfying and delicious meal.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Fiesta Rice
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Sauce pot
- Mason jar
- knife & cutting board or vegetable chopper
- Handheld juicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- strainer
Ingredients
- 2 bags Success Boil-in-Bag White Rice, ~5 cups cooked
- 1 can black beans, 15 oz
- 1 bag frozen corn, 10 oz
- 3 bell peppers
- 2 jalapeños
- 1/2 small red onion
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup cilantro
- 1 large avocado
- 1/2 tbsp Chile Lime Seasoning
- 1 tbsp honey, optional
Dressing
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Instructions
- First, prepare the Success Boil-in-Bag White Rice according to box instructions. Once it’s cooked, remove from the bag and put into a bowl. Chill the rice while preparing the other ingredients.
- Prepare the bag of frozen corn according to bag instructions. Finely dice the jalapenos, red onion, bell peppers, avocado and cilantro. Quarter the cherry tomatoes. Rinse and drain black beans.
- Once the rice is cooled, add all of the veggies into the bowl. Toss so everything is evenly distributed.
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well mixed. Pour the dressing over the rice and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the rice with chile lime seasoning and add an optional drizzle of honey if you like a sweeter dish. Serve cold and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find Fiesta Rice calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Served this with some chicken and shrimp kebabs and it made for the perfect summer meal!
I made this for our friends in town and we all shared it! So delicious. The rice absorbs the dressing when it’s stored and made it extra flavorful.
Perfect summer side dish! Easy to make (the longest part is waiting for the rice to cool) and delicious. Lots of compliments and recipe requests from our friends. I will be making this again soon!