Arroz Rojo con Carnitas y Chicharos (Red Rice with Pork and Peas)
Fluffy tomato red rice stirred with crisp pork, peas and sweetcorn into one bowl of easy Mexican comfort.
Made with Mexican red rice (arroz rojo) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.61 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large wide pan or wok over a medium high heat. Add the carnitas (see the base recipe) and fry for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp at the edges.
3 min 30 s - 2
Add the arroz rojo (see the base recipe), breaking up any clumps, along with the peas and sweetcorn.
- 3
Stir fry for 5 to 6 minutes, until everything is steaming hot all the way through and the peas are tender.
6 min - 4
Taste and season with salt and lime juice.
- 5
Serve topped with avocado, coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Break up the cold rice before it goes in. Clumps heat unevenly.
- Reheat rice only once and make sure it is steaming hot all the way through.
- Add a spoonful of salsa to the top for heat.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Do not reheat rice a second time.
Questions
Can I make this with leftover rice?
Yes, but only if the rice was cooled quickly after cooking and kept in the fridge for no more than a day.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, though the base arroz rojo recipe uses white long grain.
Can I add vegetables?
Diced carrots and green beans are traditional additions.
More made with mexican red rice (arroz rojo)
Chiles Poblanos Rellenos de Arroz y Queso (Poblano Chillies Stuffed with Red Rice and Cheese)
GFEFNFArroz con Pollo y Chorizo Estilo Mexicano (Mexican Rice with Chicken and Chorizo)
GFDFEFArroz Rojo con Chorizo y Elote (Red Rice with Chorizo and Sweetcorn)
GFDFEFAlbondigas al Chipotle (Mexican Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce)
GFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.