Crockpot Rotel Rice – Easy Style Mexican Rice with Beans

This Crockpot Rotel Rice is an easy, flavorful slow cooker side dish made with tender rice, Rotel tomatoes, savory seasonings, and ranch-style beans. Everything cooks together in the crockpot, creating a delicious, slightly spicy rice dish that’s perfect for serving with your favorite Mexican-inspired dinners.

The combination of Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, and tomato paste gives this rice a wonderful Tex-Mex flavor. A little brown sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while butter adds richness and helps bring all those delicious flavors together.

This easy slow cooker rice recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, taco nights, family gatherings, and potluck dinners. Serve it alongside enchiladas, tacos, grilled chicken, steak, or your favorite Mexican-inspired main dishes.

And because everything cooks in one crockpot, there’s very little hands-on preparation or cleanup!

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Rotel Rice

There are so many reasons to love this easy slow cooker rice recipe!

Easy to make: Simply add the ingredients to the crockpot and let everything cook together.
Packed with flavor: Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder create a delicious Tex-Mex flavor.
A hearty side dish: Rice and beans make this a satisfying addition to any meal.
Budget-friendly: Made with inexpensive pantry staples and simple ingredients.
Perfect for taco night: Delicious with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, grilled chicken, and steak.
Great for gatherings: An easy side dish for potlucks, family dinners, and casual entertaining.

Ingredients for Crockpot Rotel Rice

2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Garlic salt, to taste
1 can ranch-style beans, drained and rinsed

Ingredient Notes

Rice

Long-grain white rice works well for this recipe because it cooks into fluffy, separate grains. Avoid substituting instant rice or brown rice without adjusting the liquid and cooking time.

Rotel Tomatoes

Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies add wonderful flavor, a little heat, and extra moisture. Be sure to include the liquid from the can.

You can use original Rotel or mild Rotel if you prefer less spice.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth gives the rice a richer, more savory flavor than cooking it with water alone. Low-sodium chicken broth is a good option if you want more control over the saltiness.

Butter

Butter adds richness and helps balance the bold seasonings and tomatoes.

Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning adds a delicious combination of spices that gives this rice its familiar Tex-Mex flavor.

Brown Sugar

The brown sugar may seem like an unusual addition, but it helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and rounds out the flavors.

Ranch-Style Beans

Ranch-style beans add extra texture, flavor, and heartiness to the rice. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the crockpot.

How to Make Crockpot Rotel Rice

Step 1: Add the Rice and Liquids

Turn your crockpot to the HIGH setting.

Add the uncooked rice, chicken broth, water, and the entire can of Rotel tomatoes, including the liquid.

Stir everything together to distribute the rice evenly.

Step 2: Add the Butter and Seasonings

Add the butter, taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, dried minced onion, tomato paste, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and garlic salt.

Stir well until the seasonings and tomato paste are evenly incorporated into the liquid.

Step 3: Add the Beans

Drain and rinse the ranch-style beans.

Add them to the crockpot and gently stir until evenly distributed throughout the rice mixture.

Step 4: Cook the Rice

Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on HIGH for approximately 2 hours, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Slow cookers vary, so begin checking the rice before the full cooking time has elapsed.

Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid, as this releases the steam needed to cook the rice.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Once the liquid has been absorbed, check the rice for tenderness.

If the rice is still slightly firm, add a small amount of hot water, reduce the heat to LOW, and continue cooking until tender.

Add additional water only as needed to prevent the rice from becoming mushy.

Step 6: Fluff and Serve

When the rice is tender, gently fluff it with a fork or large spoon.

Avoid vigorously stirring the rice, which can break the grains and create a thick, sticky texture.

Turn the crockpot to the KEEP WARM setting if serving shortly.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Jennie’s Thoughts

I love recipes like this Crockpot Rotel Rice because they’re so easy to make, but they have so much flavor! It’s one of those side dishes that goes with just about anything, especially when we’re having tacos, enchiladas, or grilled chicken for dinner.

The Rotel tomatoes and seasonings really blend together beautifully, and the ranch-style beans make the rice a little heartier. I also love adding that heaping tablespoon of brown sugar. It doesn’t make the rice taste sweet, but it helps balance all the tomato and spice flavors.

Another thing I love about this recipe is that you don’t have to stand over the stove watching a pot of rice. Everything goes into the crockpot, and it cooks together while you’re working on the rest of dinner.

Just remember to fluff the rice when it’s finished instead of stirring it too much. That helps keep the rice from getting thick and sticky.

This is such a delicious side dish for taco night, and it’s a great way to make a simple meal feel a little more special!

Tips for the Best Crockpot Rotel Rice

Use Long-Grain White Rice

Long-grain white rice is a good choice for this recipe because it cooks up tender and fluffy. Different varieties of rice absorb liquid differently, so changing the rice may require adjustments.

Don’t Drain the Rotel

The tomato juices are part of the cooking liquid and add extra flavor to the rice.

Check the Rice Before Two Hours

Some slow cookers run hotter than others. Begin checking the rice around 90 minutes to prevent overcooking or drying out.

Don’t Over-Stir

Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it rather than stirring vigorously. Overmixing can make the rice gummy.

Add Water Only When Needed

If the liquid has been absorbed but the rice isn’t completely tender, add a little hot water and continue cooking.

Watch the Salt

Taco seasoning, chicken broth, and ranch-style beans can all contain sodium. Taste the finished rice before adding extra garlic salt.

Don’t Leave It on Keep Warm Too Long

Rice can continue to soften and dry out on the KEEP WARM setting. For the best texture, serve it soon after cooking. If holding it for a gathering, keep the rice at 140°F or hotter.

What to Serve with Crockpot Rotel Rice

This flavorful rice goes with so many delicious main dishes.

Chicken Enchiladas: The seasoned rice is the perfect side dish for cheesy chicken enchiladas.

Ground Beef Tacos: Serve it alongside your favorite tacos for an easy taco night dinner.

Grilled Chicken: The bold tomato and spice flavors pair beautifully with grilled chicken breasts or thighs.

Steak Fajitas: Add this rice to a plate of sizzling steak fajitas for a hearty meal.

Chicken Burritos: Use the rice as a delicious filling for homemade burritos.

Quesadillas: Serve with cheesy chicken or beef quesadillas, salsa, and sour cream.

Taco Bowls: Spoon the rice into bowls and top with seasoned meat, shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado, and salsa.

Easy Variations

Cheesy Crockpot Rotel Rice

Once the rice has finished cooking, sprinkle shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese over the top. Cover briefly until melted.

Spicy Rotel Rice

Use hot Rotel and add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños for extra heat.

Crockpot Rotel Rice with Corn

Stir in 1 cup of drained canned corn or thawed frozen corn for added sweetness and texture.

Rotel Rice with Black Beans

Replace the ranch-style beans with a can of drained and rinsed black beans.

Rotel Rice with Ground Beef

For a heartier meal, stir in fully cooked, browned ground beef. Make sure any added meat is heated thoroughly before serving.

Vegetarian Rotel Rice

Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian-friendly version, provided the remaining packaged ingredients are vegetarian.

How to Store Crockpot Rotel Rice

Refrigerator: Transfer leftover rice to shallow airtight containers and refrigerate promptly, ideally within 1 hour and no later than 2 hours after cooking. Store for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Cool the rice promptly, place it in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.

Reheating: Reheat the rice until steaming hot throughout, reaching 165°F. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to restore moisture.

Because cooked rice can support the growth of Bacillus cereus when improperly cooled or held warm, avoid leaving it at room temperature or keeping it lukewarm for extended periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you cook rice in a crockpot?

Yes! Rice can be cooked in a slow cooker with the proper amount of liquid. Cooking times vary depending on the type of rice and slow cooker model.

Do I need to cook the rice before adding it to the crockpot?

No. The rice goes into the crockpot uncooked and absorbs the broth, water, and tomato juices as it cooks.

Do I drain the Rotel tomatoes?

No! Add the entire can, including the liquid. The juices add flavor and help cook the rice.

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time, so it isn’t a direct substitute in this recipe.

Can I use black beans instead of ranch-style beans?

Absolutely! Drain and rinse one can of black beans and use them in place of the ranch-style beans.

Is Crockpot Rotel Rice spicy?

The original Rotel adds a little heat, but the rice is generally mildly spicy. For a milder version, use mild Rotel.

Why is my crockpot rice mushy?

Rice can become mushy if it cooks too long, absorbs too much liquid, or is stirred excessively after cooking.

Can I make Crockpot Rotel Rice ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the rice, cool it quickly, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

More Easy Side Dish Ideas

If you love this Crockpot Rotel Rice, try serving your favorite dinners with homemade Mexican-style corn, seasoned black beans, buttery garlic rice, cheesy potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

These simple side dishes are perfect for adding variety to weeknight dinners without spending hours in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Rotel Rice is an easy, delicious side dish that brings plenty of flavor to the dinner table. With tender rice, Rotel tomatoes, ranch-style beans, butter, and savory seasonings, it’s a wonderful addition to tacos, enchiladas, chicken, steak, and so many other family favorites.

Whether you’re planning a taco night, feeding a crowd, or just looking for something different to serve with dinner, this slow cooker Rotel rice is a great recipe to keep handy.