Spanish Rice is perfect as a side dish, or as the main course with some added chicken or beef. You can also use this rice in burritos, salads, tacos and more! What are you waiting for? Give it a go today!
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Best Spanish Rice Recipe
I love eating out at our favorite Mexican restaurant. From the chips and salsa to the perfectly wrapped burritos, it’s one type of food that I can’t ever get enough of. But, one part that always goes a bit overlooked is the side dishes. The rice and beans!
If I’m being honest, those are two of my favorite parts of the meal. They complete it just perfectly. That’s why I am so happy to have this Spanish Rice recipe.
Now I can make it at home for our family meals. I had been missing the perfect side for taco nights and fajitas. With this easy recipe, I can whip up this delicious Mexican-style rice and I’ve got a complete meal, that’s just as good as my favorite restaurant.
What is Spanish Rice?
Spanish Rice, also known by many as Mexican Rice or red rice, is a rice side dish that is made by combining onions, garlic, peppers, and a variety of seasonings to make a unique and flavorful rice. It is commonly served alongside many Mexican-style dishes. You will recognize it by its orange/red color.
Spanish Rice Ingredients
Don’t let this long list fool you, this rice dish is very easy to make! Mostly, it requires seasonings and other flavorful ingredients. It’s great because for most of these items you only have to purchase them once and they will last for a long time.
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper finely diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 14.5 ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes, not drained
- 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Spanish Rice Recipe Substitutions
Rice: Long grain white rice yields the best results in Spanish Rice, but if you prefer you can pretty much use any type of rice you prefer for your Spanish Rice. Even brown rice would work just fine.
Vegetables: All of the vegetables listed in the ingredients are used to add flavor to your rice. So, I wouldn’t recommend taking any of them out. But, you could add a variety of vegetables to make it a veggie-packed Spanish Rice. It would be delicious to add peppers and onions that are chopped into bigger pieces, peas, corn, carrots, or jalapeños.
Tomato sauce: You could use salsa in place of the tomato sauce. It will add a really nice, spicy flavor. It depends completely on what flavor you prefer.
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How to make Spanish Rice
- In a large pan that has a lid or skillet that has a lid, melt the butter with the olive oil.
- Add the rice, onion and bell pepper and cook over medium to medium-high heat until the rice is golden brown, and the vegetables are tender. Stir frequently.
- Add the garlic and stir and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Mix it all together well.
- Bring to a boil and then cover. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Let the rice sit covered for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Fluff the rice before serving.
How to serve Spanish Rice
Spanish Rice is the ultimate side dish for any type of Mexican-inspired cuisine. I love making this with homemade tacos, enchiladas, or fajitas. It’s also a great option for making a yummy homemade burrito bowl. It can also be a tasty side dish for non-Mexican-style dishes as well. I have served it alongside pork chops or grilled chicken and it made for a perfect flavorful side!
How to reheat this Spanish Rice Recipe
This Spanish Rice recipe makes a hearty serving of rice, so there’s a good chance you may have leftovers, which is always a plus! But, reheating cooked rice can be a bit tricky. I know for me, it tends to get a little dry and just doesn’t taste as good leftover as it does when it’s fresh.
Here’s a couple of tricks for reheating rice. If reheating on the stove, add in about 2 tablespoons of water for every cup of rice that you’re heating. Heating on medium heat, place a lid on the pan and stir frequently until the rice is heated through.
If reheating in the microwave, place the rice in a microwave-safe dish with a lid. Again, add a bit of water and if you like you can also add butter or oil for flavor and to prevent sticking. Then cover the rice and heat for 1-2 minutes.
Spanish Rice is so full of flavor. It’s the ultimate side dish to accompany any Mexican dish. Now, you can make this restaurant classic right from the comfort of your home! Your family will love this new addition to taco night.
The Best Spanish Rice Recipe FAQs
Both are types of dishes made with long-grain white rice, but Mexican rice is usually cooked in a saucepan, while Spanish rice is prepared in a skillet. Mexican rice often contains tomato paste or puree and may also be flavored with garlic, onion, bell peppers and chilies. Spanish rice typically includes onions and tomatoes cooked together in the same skillet, and is flavored with garlic, cumin and oregano.
Give your rice its best chance to remain fluffy and separate by beginning with a quick sauté in oil. Browning it will ensure that every grain remains distinct, so you won’t end up with an unappealing mush!
It has probably been overcooked and absorbed too much liquid.
Other Easy Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Easy Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper finely diced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 14.5 ounce fire roasted diced tomatoes not drained
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions
- In a large pan that has a lid or skillet that has a lid, melt the butter with the olive oil.
- Add the rice, onion and bell pepper and cook over medium to medium-high heat until the rice is golden brown and vegetables are tender. Stir frequently. It takes about 15-20 minutes.
- Add the garlic and stir and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika and cumin. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil and then cover. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Let the rice sit covered for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Fluff the rice before serving.
Jenn’s Notes
- Here’s a couple of tricks for reheating rice. If reheating on the stove, add in about 2 tablespoons of water for every cup of rice that you’re heating. Heating on medium heat, place a lid on the pan and stir frequently until the rice is heated through.
- If reheating in the microwave, place the rice in a microwave safe dish with a lid. Again, add a bit of water and if you like you can also add butter or oil for flavor and to prevent sticking. Then cover the rice and heat for 1-2 minutes.
