Mexican Fried Rice: A Quick and Easy GF Meal

This healthy Mexican fried rice is fantastic for when you need to throw a meal together using random ingredients. Gluten free and optionally dairy free, it’s quick to make and very versatile.

Are you in the mood for some Mexican-style lunch using random vegetables in your cabinet? This recipe is a great twist on traditional Mexican rice recipes and only takes 10 minutes to get on the table. 

I make a lot of meals with rice, so I always have leftover rice in my fridge. This Mexican fried rice is a tasty and cheap way to use it up. 

As someone with dietary requirements, I like knowing up-front what’s in my food. I’m happy to say that this Mexican fried rice recipe is:

• Gluten-free
• Soy free 
• Optionally dairy free (just leave off the cheese)
• Optionally vegetarian (use beans for protein)

It’s super easy to throw together and is perfect when you don’t have a lot of time to cook in the middle of the week. 

Even better, it works well with a range of proteins and vegetables, so you can buy produce that’s in season and eat this year-round without breaking the budget. 

My favorite spice mixture to use for this recipe is a mild chili powder with paprika, oregano, and cumin. While I like to pre-mix this, sometimes when I’m in a rush I’ll just throw all of the spices into the pan.

What you need to make our Mexican fried rice

• A frying pan
• Paprika, oregano, and cumin
• Choice of protein
• Choice of vegetables 
• Tomato
• Pre-cooked rice
• Optional: cheese, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños

Health benefits of the main ingredients

Disclaimer: Statements regarding health benefits are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are fantastic for your health! According to BBC Good Food, they’re high in potassium and vitamin K. Some research suggests that some of the compounds in tomatoes may help protect against skin damage from UV, cardiovascular disease, and eye diseases.

Cumin

Healthline says that cumin can help lower cholesterol, improve memory and digestion, help control blood sugar, and reduce inflammation.

Oregano

According to Organic Facts, oregano is known for having anti-inflammatory properties, relieving depression, and helping with digestion. 

Paprika

WebMB says that paprika contains capsaicin. Studies suggest capsaicin can improve natural immunity, alleviate gas, and reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

Cheese

According to Healthline, dairy products like cheese are rich in calcium, vitamins A and B12, zinc, riboflavin, and phosphorus. There is some evidence that cheese and other dairy products can protect your teeth from cavities. 

Tips for making this Mexican fried rice recipe

This meal is designed to be quick to throw together. Here are some tips I’ve found for making it: 

• The rice tastes best in this recipe when it is at least one day old.
• If you are using carrots, chop them finely and put them in the pan a minute earlier than the rest of the vegetables so they have more time to soften.
• It is better if you use less leafy greens in comparison to other vegetables. 
• If you don’t have time to make guacamole but want avocado to top your meal, try smashing up an avocado and adding small amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic-infused olive oil. 

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Are you going to try my Mexican fried rice?

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