We need to talk about Mexican rice. You know the one—perfectly fluffy and so well-seasoned it could be the main character of the meal. We’ve all tried to make it from scratch. Or at least thought about making it from scratch. Maybe we've even stood over a hot stove, whispering prayers to the culinary gods, only to lift the lid to a pot of either crunchy sadness or mushy disappointment. The emotional rollercoaster is just... too much for a Tuesday.
The thing is, rice is a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, a tradition that goes way back to when it was first introduced to Mexico and became the perfect partner for all our favorite dishes [6]. So, we get the pressure to get it right. But who said "getting it right" has to mean a 35-minute panic attack? Not us.
The "Authentic" Rice Struggle is Real
Making traditional Mexican rice, or arroz rojo, is a labor of love. In fact, most rice side-dishes in Mexico are processssss to make from scratch. In truth, Arroz Rojo's culinary roots are fascinating, even sharing a common ancestor with West African Jollof rice [8]. But let's be real, the aformentioned process can be a lot, and it's not always worth it. Remember this chaos?:
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The Rinse & Toast: First, you have to rinse the starch off every single grain of long-grain rice. Then, you toast it in oil, stirring constantly, trying to achieve that perfect "golden brown" without a single burnt casualty. It's a high-stakes game.
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The Flavor Base: Next, you add your aromatics. Traditionally, this involves a blend of tomato, onion, and garlic to get that classic color and taste [7]. You sauté it all, hoping you’ve balanced the flavors just right.
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The Simmer & Pray: You add your liquid, bring it to a boil, and then—the hardest part—you cover it, turn down the heat, and walk away. For 20 minutes, you are legally not allowed to peek. This is where you question all your life choices.
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The Fluff: Finally, the moment of truth. You lift the lid and gently fluff with a fork, discovering if you've achieved fluffy perfection or created a new kind of cement.
Honestly, we're tired just typing that out.
Our Pro-Tip for Perfect Rice? Skip All That.
Look, we love our traditions, but we also love our sanity. And that’s where SOMOS Foods comes in. As a brand started by friends who grew up in Mexico, we know what real Mexican food tastes like. We also know that in 2026, nobody has time for rice-induced anxiety.
Our secret to perfect, fiesta-ready Mexican rice every single time is simple: Let us make it for you.
We've done the hard work—the toasting, the simmering, the seasoning—and packed it into a convenient, microwavable pouch that’s ready in just 90 seconds. No prayers, no panic, just ridiculously good rice.
Choose Your Fighter: SOMOS Rice for Every Vibe
We've got options, because variety is the spice of life (and our meals). All our rice is seed oil-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO, so everyone's invited to the fiesta [5].
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Cilantro Lime White Rice: The classic Mexican restaurant staple you know and love. It's our ride-or-die.
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Mexican Brown Rice: For when you're feeling a little healthier but still demand flavor. This one gets a garlicky kick from ancho and guajillo peppers and boasts a 4.2-star rating from Target shoppers [3].
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Mexican Yellow Rice: A vibrant, savory option that brightens up any plate.
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Mexican Street Corn White Rice: Inspired by esquites, this one is a certified fan favorite.
Build Your Stress-Free Taco Night Plate
Now that the rice is handled in 90 seconds, you have all this free time! What to do? Oh, right, make the rest of your amazing meal. Here’s how we’re building our dream plate:
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The Base: A generous scoop of your favorite SOMOS rice. (Duh.)
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The Beans: Spoon a serving of on of our beans right next to that rice. Don’t mix them... unless you want to. You're the artist here.
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The Main Event: Whether it's chicken simmered in our Fajita Simmer Sauce or pork made with our delicious Al Pastor Taco Simmer Sauce, pile it on.
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The Toppings: Go wild. Salsa, cheese, a dollop of crema, maybe a sprinkle of our Mexican Chili Crisp for some extra texture and heat.
And just like that, you've created a meal that tastes like it came from an abuela's kitchen, but without having to spend all day in yours. That's a win in our book. We started SOMOS to bring the real, vibrant flavors we grew up with to your home, making it easier than ever to share a delicious meal with the people you love. Read more about our story and our mission to make Mexican food night the best night of the week.
Ready to reclaim your taco nights from the tyranny of from-scratch rice? Check out all of our delicious rice and beans and get ready for your new favorite shortcut. You can thank us later. 😉