This Mexican Butter Rice with Corn is buttery, flavorful, and irresistibly comforting — the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show. With golden toasted rice, sweet corn, and rich savory notes from bouillon and garlic, it’s the perfect pairing for tacos, grilled meats, or even as a simple stand-alone bite. Best of all? It’s made with pantry staples and comes together in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – Minimal prep and pantry-friendly ingredients make it perfect for busy nights.
- Comforting flavor – Buttery, garlicky rice with sweet corn and bouillon seasoning is a winning combo.
- Versatile side dish – Pairs beautifully with tacos, grilled meats, or even stuffed into burritos.
- Kid-friendly – Mild, savory flavors that even picky eaters will love.
What Ingredients Do I Need?
- To make this rich, buttery Mexican rice with corn, you’ll need a few everyday ingredients that work together to build big flavor and satisfying texture. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll use and why it matters:
- Butter – Adds richness and helps toast the rice for a golden, nutty base. It’s the secret to that signature buttery flavor.
- White onion (finely chopped) – Gives the rice a subtle sweetness and depth. Cooking it down mellows the sharpness and blends beautifully with the garlic.
- Garlic cloves (minced) – Essential for bold, savory flavor. Garlic infuses the entire dish and complements the corn and rice perfectly.
- Jasmine rice – This long-grain rice has a light, fluffy texture when cooked. Toasting it before boiling adds a deep, nutty flavor that makes this dish stand out.
- Hot water – Helps the rice cook evenly and allows the bouillon to dissolve and distribute flavor throughout the dish.
- Chicken bouillon – Brings umami and a savory, broth-like depth. It boosts the flavor of the rice without needing chicken stock.
- Garlic salt – Combines seasoning and extra garlic flavor in one step. It enhances every bite with a boost of taste.
- Canned corn (drained) – Adds sweet, juicy bursts of texture. Corn pairs perfectly with the savory rice and brings color and contrast to the dish.
Mexican White Rice With Corn
This buttery Mexican-style rice is pan-toasted for extra flavor and simmered with sweet corn, onion, garlic, and bouillon for a comforting, savory side dish. It's an easy one-pan recipe that's perfect for pairing with tacos, grilled meats, or your favorite Mexican mains.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ white onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups Jasmine rice
- 4 cups hot water
- 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 can corn drained
Instructions
- Melt the butterIn a large, deep pan or skillet with a lid, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Let it fully melt and begin to slightly bubble — this adds flavor right from the start
- Toast the riceAdd the 2 cups of Jasmine rice to the pan and stir constantly. Fry the rice for 5–7 minutes, or until it becomes lightly golden and aromatic. This toasting step enhances the texture and nutty flavor of the rice.
- Sauté aromaticsOnce the rice is golden, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until the onion turns translucent and the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add corn Stir in the drained can of corn and mix thoroughly so the kernels are evenly distributed throughout the rice mixture.
- Add liquids and seasoningCarefully pour in the 4 cups of hot water. Immediately add 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Stir everything together to dissolve the bouillon and evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Simmer and cookBring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. This is key to allowing the rice to cook properly and absorb all the flavor.
- Steam off-heatAfter 15 minutes, turn off the heat completely but leave the lid on. Let the rice sit and steam undisturbed for 10 more minutes. This step ensures every grain is fluffy and fully cooked.
- Fluff and serveRemove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. This helps separate the grains and gives the dish that perfect, light texture. Serve warm and enjoy!
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