Top Mexican Rice Brands: Elevate Your Meal Flavor Fiesta!

Exploring the rich, diverse flavors of Mexican cuisine can transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Mexico, where every dish tells a story steeped in tradition. Mexican rice, a staple that adorns many a plate, is best when prepared with quality ingredients that embody authenticity. Leading brands have mastered the art of crafting Mexican rice that’s rich in flavor, easy to prepare, and reminiscent of traditional recipes. Below, you'll find a curated list of the best brands that capture the true essence of this culinary delight.

Illustration of mexican rice

Best brands of mexican rice in 2025

Zatarain's

Zatarain's is a renowned brand for producing high-quality Spanish Rice, a staple in many weeknight meals. Their Spanish Rice mix, available in a 6.9 oz package, is prepared in under 30 minutes and contains no MSG, artificial flavors, or colors from artificial sources. The product is made with enriched long grain parboiled rice and includes ingredients like onion, red and green bell peppers, and spices, making it a flavorful and convenient side dish. It contains 26% of the daily recommended sodium intake and is classified as having moderate processing concerns.

Knorr

Knorr, a leading brand under Unilever, has unveiled its authentic Mexican Rice Mixes, bringing the rich flavors of Mexico's culinary heritage to American tables. These mixes, which are the number one-selling rice mixes in Mexico, are available in three flavors: Tomato Flavored Rice (Arroz Tomate), White Seasoned Rice (Arroz Blanco), and Mexican Style Rice (Arroz a la Mexicana). Each mix is crafted with high-quality ingredients, delivering a homemade taste with real spices and herbs, and yields four servings of perfectly cooked rice in just 10 minutes. This launch aligns with Knorr's "Authentic Meals Start Here" mission, aiming to bring global flavors to North American consumers. With Unilever's global reach and sales in over 190 countries, Knorr continues to be a trusted name in nutrition and culinary excellence. Explore Knorr's authentic Mexican Rice Mixes for more flavorful meal options.

Old El Paso

Old El Paso is a leading brand in Mexican-inspired cuisine, commanding a significant market share globally, particularly in Europe where it holds half of the market share of Mexican food brands in grocery stores. Since its inception in 1938 in the United States, the brand has expanded its presence, arriving in France in 1986 and later being acquired by General Mills in 2001. Old El Paso is renowned for its diverse range of products, including kits for cooking fajitas, burritos, tacos, and Mexican rice, with its production site in San Adrian, Spain, producing up to 4.5 million tortillas daily. The brand has been elected the favorite by French consumers, holding a 63.3% market share in the "world products" category. Its products are easily recognizable by their yellow packaging and are popular for their convenience and quality. For more detailed insights about Old El Paso's popularity among French consumers, visit their official site.

Vigo

Vigo is a renowned brand for producing high-quality Mexican rice, known for its flavorful and nutritious products. Their Mexican Rice, available in 8 oz packages, is a blend of yellow rice and corn with a taco-like taste, making it a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. This product is low in fat, high in taste, and can be prepared in under 25 minutes in a single pot. Vigo Mexican Rice contains 42g of total carbs, 5g of protein, and 600mg of sodium per serving. With no hydrogenated oils, BPA-free packaging, and no GMOs, Vigo's Mexican Rice is a preferred option for those seeking convenient and healthy meals. Discover more about their Mexican Rice.

La Preferida

La Preferida is renowned for producing some of the best Mexican rice products, offering both boxed and canned options that are highly praised for their authentic flavor and convenience. Their boxed Spanish Rice is ready in just 15 minutes and is noted for its light, flavorful profile with minimal sodium, making it a healthier choice. The canned version, made with simple ingredients like tomato sauce, bell peppers, and onions, is free from artificial colors and preservatives, and is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Customers appreciate the rich, full-bodied flavor and the ease of preparation, whether on the stove or in the microwave. With a robust blend of spices and no animal by-products, La Preferida's Spanish Rice is a staple in many households.

Goya

Goya Foods, founded in 1936, is a leading producer of Mexican and Latin American cuisine, including a wide variety of rice products. The company offers over 1,600 Hispanic and Caribbean grocery items, with rice being a key category. By 2008, Goya produced multiple types of rice, contributing to its status as a brand leader in several key categories, including a 95% market share in some specific categories. Goya's commitment to quality and authenticity has made it a trusted brand, especially among Hispanic consumers, with the U.S. Hispanic population nearing 30 million by 1997. The company's products are available in national club stores like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale, reflecting its broad market reach. You can learn more about their history on their official website.

Lundberg

Lundberg Family Farms is a renowned producer of high-quality Mexican and Spanish-style rice, with a commitment to organic farming practices that dates back to 1937. Approximately 75% of their total crop is USDA-certified organic, and they are pioneers in regenerative organic certified (ROC) rice, aiming to have their entire crop ROC by 2027. Their Organic Whole Grain Spanish Rice Pilaf is made with parboiled brown rice, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and bell peppers, and is certified gluten-free, vegan, and kosher. This product is perfect for pairing with tacos, tostadas, or fajitas, and can be easily customized with additional ingredients. Lundberg's dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices sets them apart as a leader in the rice industry.

Mahatma

Mahatma, a brand under Riviana Foods Inc., is renowned for its high-quality rice products, including its ready-to-heat Mexican-style rice options. Introduced in 2019, Mahatma's Ready to Heat rice line has revolutionized mealtime convenience, with the latest addition being the 90-second microwavable Chipotle Jasmine Rice. This new flavor combines the smoky sweetness of chipotle peppers, ideal for enhancing Latin American dishes. Mahatma rice is trusted by American families for over 100 years, offering a range of flavors and cook times to suit various preferences. As part of Ebro Foods, S.A., the world leader in the rice sector, Mahatma ensures consistent quality and flavor in every product. For more information, visit the Mahatma Rice website.

Carolina

Carolina brand is renowned for its high-quality Mexican rice, but it is not a producer; rather, it is a well-known brand that sources its rice from various producers. In Mexico, rice production is significant, with the 2021/22 marketing year seeing rough rice production estimated at 266,000 metric tons, a 9% decrease from the previous year. The main rice-producing states in Mexico include Campeche, Nayarit, Michoacan, Veracruz, and Colima, with Campeche and Nayarit accounting for a substantial portion of both spring and fall rice crops. The yield for rough rice in Mexico was slightly higher than the previous year, at 6.33 tons per hectare. While Carolina brand may offer excellent Mexican rice, the actual production and yield data pertain to the broader Mexican rice industry.

Riceland

Riceland, though not specifically mentioned in the provided sources, can be contextualized within the Mexican rice market as a potential high-quality producer. Mexico's rice market, valued at USD 1033 million in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% until 2032, driven by increasing demand for specialty rice varieties and improvements in rice mill machinery and packaging. The market is characterized by a moderate level of concentration, with top players holding about 40% of the market share. Domestic rice production, such as that from key states like Campeche, Nayarit, and Veracruz, is valued for its culinary quality, despite the country's reliance on imports to meet the high demand exceeding four times the internal production. In 2023, Mexico's rice production volume was 267.24 thousand metric tons, an 8% increase from the previous year.