Quick Review: Knorr Hot Ones Mexican Rice

Bottom Line: The Hot Ones Mexican Rice from Knorr delivers a tasty version of this side dish that is easy to make and brings a bit of a kick.

Hot Ones has teamed up with Knorr on two products. One is Cheesy Cheddar Pasta, which I reviewed here, and the other is Mexican Rice, which I have also tried. That is an instant rice dish kicked up with Hot Ones Los Calientes Verde sauce, and it brings some heat to this side dish.

The rice has a nice creaminess, not quite like a risotto, but it definitely delivers a good blend of flavors and textures. There is also a nuttiness to it, as well as a bit of a peppery kick. You might expect the dehydrated red and green bell peppers to be more of an afterthought, but they are definitely noticeable, bringing some sweetness and earthiness. I don’t get the distinct taste of the Los Calientes Verde sauce, but there is a nice flavor boost from the seasoning. There are bits of pasta in here as well, giving it a taste similar to Rice-A-Roni, but much bolder on the tongue.

As for the heat, you don’t notice it right away, but it certainly builds up. It won’t set your mouth on fire, but it is approaching Medium on my scale. The creaminess of the rice offsets the heat a bit, but the burn will linger in your mouth.

This is great as a side dish, and I like to cook it a little longer than the package recommends so that the rice at the bottom browns and brings some crunchiness. You can serve it with Mexican food, chicken, fish, or any number of other items. This would also go well with some chorizo and fried eggs in the morning for breakfast.

Currently, both the Mexican Rice and Cheesy Cheddar Pasta are only available on Amazon.com, as far as I am aware. A three-pack sells for $8.99, and an eight-pack sells for $14.99 (the same prices apply to the pasta). I enjoyed both of these Hot Ones collaborations and plan on keeping several packages in the pantry for a quick and easy meal or side dish that brings a good kick.

Nutrition Info:

Ingredients: Enriched long grain parboiled rice, vermicelli (wheat flour), hot sauce seasoning made with dehydrated green bell pepper, spices, apple cider vinegar powder, salt, sugar, dehydrated garlic and onion, lemon juice powder, citric acid, maltodextrin, natural flavors, calcium stearate, monosodium glutamate, red bell pepper flake, onion powder, cornstarch, potassium chloride, sunflower oil, parsley, natural lime flavor, ground cumin, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, annatto for color, chili powder, silicon dioxide, and ground turmeric

Serving Size: ½ Cup Dry Mix
Calories: 260
Fat: 6g (0.5g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 6g
Carbs: 47g
Sodium: 580mg