If you’re looking to make taco night even better or need a delicious side dish to go with dinner, Mexican Rice with Bacon is the perfect recipe. This side dish combines smoky bacon, Mexican spices, and garlic fire-roasted tomatoes to create a rich and flavorful rice that complements any meal. Plus, it’s easy to make with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen!
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor – The combination of bacon, spices, and fire-roasted tomatoes makes this rice anything but bland.
- Easy to Make – This recipe is so simple anyone can make it!
- Versatile Side Dish – Perfect for tacos, burritos, grilled meats, or even as a main dish.
- Made in One Pan – Less mess and fewer dishes to clean up afterward!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious Mexican Rice with Bacon, gather the following ingredients:
- 1.5 cups rice (long-grain works best)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 pack of bacon (or the whole pack if you like extra)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 pepper (chopped; choose bell or spicy for a kick)
- 1 can fire-roasted garlic tomatoes
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp coarse black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by chopping your onion and pepper into small pieces. Then, slice the bacon into bite-sized chunks. This ensures that everything cooks evenly and you get a little bit of each ingredient in every bite.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large, oven-safe pan or skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat. Make sure not to cook it too crispy, as it will continue to cook when you add the other ingredients. Once the bacon starts to render its fat, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
Add the chopped onions and peppers to the bacon. Stir occasionally and let them cook until they become soft.
Step 4: Toast the Rice
Next, add the rice to the pan and stir it into the bacon, onions, and peppers. Cook for a few minutes until the rice is lightly browned. This step adds extra flavor to the rice.
Step 5: Add Seasonings and Liquids
Pour in the can of fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir everything together until completely mixed.
Step 6: Bake
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then transfer the entire pan (covered) to a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
Step 7: Fluff and Serve
Once the rice is done, remove it from the oven and gently fluff it with a fork. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can make the rice mushy. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Mexican Bacon Rice
- Use Quality Bacon – Thick-cut bacon adds more flavor and texture.
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Rice – This helps prevent sogginess and enhances the flavor.
- Adjust the Spice Level – Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Make It a Meal – Stir in shredded chicken or beans for a hearty main dish.
What to Serve with Mexican Bacon Rice
- Tacos & Burritos – A perfect side for taco night.
- Grilled Meats – This side dish complements chicken, steak, and shrimp.
- Stuffed Peppers – Use it as a filling for stuffed bell peppers.
- Eggs & Breakfast Bowls – A great way to use up leftovers the next morning.
Mexican Bacon Rice is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that will quickly become a favorite at your dinner table. Whether you serve it as a side dish or enjoy it on its own, the smoky bacon and spices create a delicious combination that’s hard to resist. Try it out and let me know how you like it!
And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15
Mexican Rice With Bacon
Equipment
- Oven proof pan with lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 pack uncooked bacon chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 pepper chopped
- 1 1/2 cups rice
- 1 can garlic fire roasted tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Start by chopping your onion and pepper into small pieces. Then, slice the bacon into bite-sized chunks.
- In a large, oven-safe pan or skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat. Make sure not to cook it too crispy, as it will continue to cook when you add the other ingredients. Once the bacon starts to render its fat, you’re ready for the next step.
- Add the chopped onions and peppers to the bacon. Stir occasionally and let them cook until they become soft.
- Next, add the rice to the pan and stir it into the bacon, onions, and peppers. Cook for a few minutes until the rice is lightly browned. This step adds extra flavor to the rice.
- Pour in the can of fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir everything together until completely mixed.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then transfer the entire pan (covered) to a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Once the rice is done, remove it from the oven and gently fluff it with a fork. Be careful not to over-stir, as this can make the rice mushy. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Tips for the Best Mexican Bacon Rice
- Use Quality Bacon – Thick-cut bacon adds more flavor and texture.
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Rice – This helps prevent sogginess and enhances the flavor.
- Adjust the Spice Level – Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Make It a Meal – Stir in shredded chicken or beans for a hearty main dish.
This looks amazing. Love the in process shots too.
Ooo this looks so good! My husband and I currently live near Mexico since he’s in the military, so this could be great to give us an experience of that culture! Thanks for sharing!
This looks delicious! I’m going to try this recipe tonight!
Awesome! Let me know how you liked it!