Healthy Mexican Fried Rice: Kid Friendly & Ready In 20 Minutes

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Delicious, healthy Mexican fried rice is a one pot wonder, 20 minute weeknight dinner. This is a full of flavors, vegetarian fried rice that’s easy to make and kid friendly.

Healthy Mexican Fried Rice

My kids love this in their lunchbox as it’s just as good served cold the next day. Make a big batch because it is GOOD!

We’ve been trying to up our Veggie game of late. I’m reluctant to admit it, but I still have this belief system that Dinner isn’t a dinner unless there’s a little meat involved. I know, I’m trying my best to evolve.

Salad for dinner just doesn’t do it for me. I leave the table feeling slightly ‘cheated’. Finding a Vegetarian meal that:

• leaves everyone feeling satisfied (and not missing the meat), and
• the family will actually eat without a fuss

is a rarity for me, but it’s also something I’ve been working on.

Recipes like this Mexican Fried Rice dish make it a whole lot easier to get the family eating less meat and squeezing more veggies into their diet – without the drama.

Mexican Rice For Kids

This Clean Eating Mexican Fried Rice Dinner went down so well with my meat eating family that no-one even noticed that it was 100% Vegetarian. It’s one of those meals you can eat and eat and eat. And we did :)

If your kids like rice dishes, I beg you, try this. I tastes a lot like the spicy rice you get from take out places, but is a wholesome homemade version. Plus, it makes the best next day lunchbox filler :)

How To Eat Mexican Fried Rice

We eat this as a veggie meal but of course feel free to eat it with whatever you like as a side dish. You could add sliced chicken or add it into a wrap to make Burritos. Avocado, red bell pepper, fresh lime juice and cilantro all go well with this recipe, so you could offer these along side this rice.

I like to keep things simple, and so my favorite way to serve this dish is with these four sides:

• Simple Salsa
• Homemade Chunky Guacamole
• Sour Cream
• Easy {TWO INGREDIENT} Homemade Tortillas

Reheating Leftovers

If you want to reheat this rice, simply pop it into a container that’s microwaveable and cover with food wrap. Give it two minutes on high in the microwave, stir it, and then another minute until it’s hot throughout. Then, eat.

Mexican Lunch Box

One of my secret, lunchbox hacks is to serve up leftovers the next day. This recipe can be eaten cold, so I can dish it up the night before, pop it in the fridge and it’s ready to go for school lunch.

I’ve used these lunchboxes for about 8 years now, and they are awesome, but my kids are getting a little bigger and they didn’t want their lunch to look the same as it did in preschool. So …. I recently made the switch to these glass meal prep lunchboxes, and I’m loving them. 

How To Make Mexican Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Cooked Brown Rice Cooked and Cooled
• 1 Small red onion Finely diced
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic Peeled and finely chopped

Spice Mix

• ½ tbsp Cumin
• 2 tsp Curry powder Mild
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Salt
• ¼ tsp Black pepper

Veggies

• 1¼ cup Black beans I use a full 420g can of beans
• 1 cup Sweetcorn Frozen or fresh
• 1 cup Carrots Peeled and chopped

Instructions

• Cook Rice: If needed, cook Rice and set aside to cool down. You will need 4 cups of cooked rice for this recipe
• Spice Mix: In a small bowl, mix together cumin, curry powder, tomato puree, salt, black pepper. Set Aside
• In a large fry pan or pot: Heat a large frying pan to medium heat. Add the olive oil and onion. Fry for 2 minutes until onion softensAdd garlic and spice mix. Fry for another 1 minute, stirring to prevent sticking. Add Corn, beans and carrots PLUS 1 tablespoon of water (to help the spices mix through a little easier). Cook for another 2-3 minutes
• Add the cooked rice and stir through
• Serve with salsa, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream and lime wedges

Notes

NOTE: This makes a large amount that should be enough for 4 people plus extra 1 – 2 serves for lunch leftovers.

Mexican Fried Rice Recipe