Enchilada Rice

This super easy Enchilada Rice is made with homemade enchilada sauce and loaded with onions, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and salsa. Ready in half an hour, it’s the perfect side dish to go alongside beef, chicken, or fish!

Looking for a traditional enchilada recipe? My Easy Chicken Enchiladas and my Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole are both so easy to make and really hit the spot!

What you’ll need to make Enchilada Rice

• Onion & Garlic: These two ingredients pack in a ton of flavor! For ease, you add minced garlic from a jar!
• Bell pepper: I like to throw in some diced green bell pepper. It brings a little more color and also doesn’t add any extra sweetness like other colors of bell pepper would.
• Black beans: Black beans add protein and make this enchilada rice recipe SO filling.
• Corn: I mixed in frozen corn as that’s what I had on hand, however, if corn is in season, definitely go for fresh! It tastes much better than frozen!
• Salsa: Use your favorite salsa! You can add mild, hot for some heat, or even fire-roasted for a hint of smokiness.
• Rice: For enchilada rice, you’ll need some cooked rice. Either white or brown will work well. If you have leftover rice, this is a great way to use it up!
• Cilantro: For a burst of freshness I added cilantro. Cilantro goes with all things Mexican (savory, that is!).
• Enchilada sauce: I included a recipe for homemade enchilada sauce, however, you can also add one 10oz can a little at a time to suit your taste.

Enchilada Sauce

• Flour: Plain, all-purpose flour thickens up this homemade enchilada sauce. Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed.
• Stock: I like to add chicken stock for flavor and seasoning. If you want to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan add vegetable stock instead.
• Seasoning: Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano are mixed together to create a powerful Mexican taste! If you like it spicier, add extra chili powder!
• Sugar: I added a tiny amount of sugar just to balance all of the other flavors. I chose light brown sugar to give the sweetness a hint of caramel flavor as well.

How to make enchilada rice

1. Begin by heating the oil in a large pot.
2. Next, add onion and green pepper and sauté until tender, 3-4 minutes.
3. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Stir in enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, salsa, rice, and cilantro.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with any of the optional toppings below!

How to make homemade enchilada sauce?

Making your own enchilada sauce at home is super easy! It goes so well with this enchilada rice recipe, and also in traditional enchiladas. I like to make a double batch of this and keep the rest in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months! Here’s how to make it:

1. Start by heating oil in a medium pot.
2. Add in all-purpose flour and stir for one minute.
3. Next stir in chili powder, light brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Slowly whisk in stock.
5. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until thick.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips for Success

• Use fresh corn if it’s in season. If not, frozen corn works just as well!
• For extra heat use hot salsa or add in diced jalapeno. If you want this to be milder use less chili powder in the enchilada sauce and use mild salsa!
• White or brown rice can be used. This is also great with leftover pre-cooked rice! You can make this recipe lower carb by using riced cauliflower.
• To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

What to serve with enchilada rice

This enchilada rice recipe goes with all of your favorite Mexican dishes, whether it’s tacos, shredded meat, baked fish, or inside a burrito. Here are a few tasty ideas for inspiration:

• Shredded Mexican Chicken
• Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Instant Pot Carnitas
• Slow Cooker Mexican Beef
• Barbacoa Beef
• Blackened Salmon
• Refried Black Beans
• Pico de gallo
• Homemade tortilla chips
• Mexican Kale Salad
• Guacamole

Here are more recipes to make with homemade enchilada sauce!

• Easy Chicken Enchiladas
• Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
• Mexican Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
• 20 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup