Arroz Verde (Green Rice) Recipe To learn more, read the article:
Mexico’s Surprising Rice Dishes
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Test Kitchen Approved

Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

Rich and refined, arroz verde is one of the most popular dishes I present to cooking classes.Serves six to eight.


1/2 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro sprigs (about 1/2 oz.)
1 cup tightly packed fresh stemmed spinach leaves (about 1-1/2 oz.)
1-1/4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
1-1/4 cups milk
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbs. olive oil
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
1/4 cup finely minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced

Put the cilantro, spinach, and broth in a blender and blend until the vegetables are puréed. Add the milk and salt and blend a bit more until well combined.

In a medium (3-qt.) heavy-based saucepan (with a good lid) over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the rice and sauté, stirring about every 30 seconds, until it just begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the contents of the blender, stir well, turn the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, turn the heat to very low, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice carefully to avoid crushing it, cover, and cook another 5 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and let the rice steam in the covered pot for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size: based on eight servings; Calories (kcal): 210; Fat (g): 8; Fat Calories (kcal): 70; Saturated Fat (g): 4; Protein (g): 4; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): 30; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1; Sodium (mg): 320; Cholesterol (mg): 15; Fiber (g): 1;
From Fine Cooking 35, pp. 42-45
November 1, 1999


user reviews

Star Star Star Star Star This recipe was listed in a printed collection of Favorite Recipes from 10 years of Fine Cooking, and I have to agree the rice is fabulous. I love pairing it with my red enchiladas for a colorful plate.
Star Star Star Star Star Rates as one of the top tastiest recipes I have ever made from Fine Cooking. I use soy milk with great success. I crave this dish!
Star Star Star Star Star This is a winner! If you love cilantro (like I do), you'll love this recipe. It's a hit with my family and whenever I make it for a party everyone has seconds and asks for the recipe. I usually use white texmati rice.
Star Star Star Star Star Love this recipe. Family favorite. I've made it without cilantro for my cilantro-hating friends by using more spinach and some parsley, and it was still wonderful. I didn't like it as much when I tried it with brown rice, so I'm back to white for this recipe. Highly recommend
Star Star Star Star Star This is a hit every time I make it.
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Star Star Star Star Star I absolutely love this recipe. It's one of my favorite go to side dishes! Everyone I've made it for absolutely loves it. It goes with just about any main course. You can't go wrong.
Star Star Star Star Star The flavors are wonderful and the color is gorgeous! I will often add a roasted, peeled and seeded poblano pepper to the blender with the cilantro and spinach. Other variations I have tried that are very good; substitute coconut milk for the milk and use basmati rice or substitute thai basil for the cilantro, coconut milk for the milk and use jasmine rice.
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Star Star Star Star Star This is a great recipe and fairly easy. Even my husband likes it and he's not a real fan of cilantro.
Star Star Star Star Star We have loved this recipe for years! Scrumptious and nutritious.
Star Star Star Star Star This is one of my all time favorite Fine Cooking recipes. My only change to the recipe is to add a green chile when I blend the cilantro, spinach and milk in the blend. It's not so much to make it hot, but it adds some "ping." Love this.
Star Star Star Star Star delicious. i've made it three or four times now and each time i serve it to friends they ask for the recipe.
Star Star Star Star Star This dish was easy to make, tasted delicious and is packed with fresh flavor. I will make this again.
Star Star Star Star Star Easy to make for a dinner party if you plan ahead a little bit. Sometimes I add a serrano to give it a kick if I'm using it with a Mexican menu