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Spanish Rice Recipe

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This basic Spanish Rice is fluffy and full of flavor, a delicious side dish for Latin meals. Keep it plain or add chopped green peppers or tomatoes.

Mexican rice in a white bowl with wooden spoon

Spanish Rice

In my last post I shared Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas served with Spanish Rice.

Have you noticed that the two are twinsies when you eat Latin food? A side dish of rice is very common when you order a lunch or dinner plate at a Mexican Restaurant.  

One can not be served without the other!

Rice is economical to make, and once you master making your own Spanish rice you’ll be adding it to your burritos too.

I’ll also warn you that you will never be able to eat it at a restaurant again without judging the the way their rice tastes.

You just won’t be able to help it because your rice is going to be SOOO flavorful!

Spanish rice in a white bowl with wooden spoon

Mexican Rice Made Perfectly Every Time!

Spanish rice is also known as Mexican rice. It should be called Latin rice! This is another dish that I watched my mom make without a recipe. 

After a lot of trial and error as well as taste testing, I can finally make fluffy and perfectly cooked Spanish Rice aka Mexican rice (if I do say so myself).

It did take a few mushy rice dishes to get to this point. That’s ok. Soooo worth every trial.

Once you look at the recipe you’ll be wondering what was the challenge.

The key to this simple recipe is to make sure you add the right amount of broth. 

The rice you use also makes a difference. Use long grain. It absorbs the liquid quite nicely.

Spanish rice in a white bowl with orange napkin

Mexican Rice Variations

There are so many variations to this side dish. You may have had it with a few vegetables added.

I’ve cooked it with diced tomatoes and green or red peppers.

Experiment with those ingredients too, but start with this basic recipe and get pro-ish, then start putting in ingredients you love!

SPANISH RICE RECIPE – INGREDIENTS & UTENSILS

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)

Utensils/Other Items

  • 10 inch skillet with tight fitting cover
  • measuring spoons and cups
  • cutting board and sharp knife

SPANISH RICE RECIPE – INSTRUCTIONS

  1. On medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to a 10 inch skillet. Add rice and diced onion.
  2. Stir constantly until rice begins to lightly brown. Stir in garlic and reduce heat to medium.
  3. Add tomato sauce.
  4. Stir until the rice pieces are coated.
  5. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth. With a spoon push the rice around the skillet forming an even layer.
  6. Return the heat to medium-high and when the rice begins to boil, cover and reduce the heat to simmer.
  7. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed in the rice.
  8. Fluff with fork before serving.
  • Sautéing spanish rice and onion in a skillet.
  • Browning rice to make Mexican rice.
  • Tomato sauce added to Spanish rice recipe.
  • Mixing tomato sauce into rice mix.
  • Adding vegetable broth to Mexican rice recipe.
  • Cover skillet with clear lid to cook Spanish Rice

WHAT TO SERVE WITH SPANISH RICE

You might enjoy these recipes with a side of Mexican rice:

  • Mexican Shredded Beef – This shredded beef recipe in made in an Instant Pot.
  • Pork Carnitas – Easy dish that is perfect for a crowd. This recipe is made in a slow cooker.
  • Chili Colorado – This simple traditional Mexican stew is made in a red chili sauce.

And more rice dishes you might like to try:

SPANISH RICE RECIPE – FAQS

Just some answers to comments you may be wondering…

Is Spanish rice vegetarian?

If you use the vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth, then Spanish rice is a vegetarian approved dish.

Why is my Spanish rice mushy?

Mushy rice is the result of too much liquid that isn’t able to evaporate. To remedy, after cooking lower heat and remove the lid so the liquid is able to evaporate.

Is Spanish rice low carb?

1/4 of cup of Spanish rice is approximately 53 calories and 9.5 grams of carbohydrates. Depending on your macronutrient goals this is suitable for some people on a low carb diet.

Is Spanish rice keto friendly?

No. Spanish rice is not make with a lot of healthy fats and the carbohydrates in the rice may not allow some people to stay in ketosis.

Can Spanish rice be frozen?

Yes! Let the cooked rice cool at room temperature, then place in freezable containers or bag. Freeze for up to a month.

Yield: 6 servings

Spanish Rice

Spanish rice in a white serving bowl with a wooden spoon

Simple Mexican rice recipe that you can customize by adding additional vegetables. This 20 minute side dish accompanies all your Latin dishes.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)

Instructions

On medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to a 10 inch skillet. Add rice and diced onion stirring constantly until rice begins to lightly brown. Stir in garlic and reduce heat to medium.

Add tomato sauce and stir until the rice pieces are coated. Stir in chicken or vegetable broth and with a spoon push the rice around the skillet forming an even layer. Return the heat to medium-high and when the rice begins to boil, cover and reduce the heat to simmer. Let cook for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed in the rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 107Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

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© Sandra Shaffer
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Side Dish
Spanish rice with salad and enchiladas

PIN to your Side Dishes and Mexican Recipe Boards

Easy Spanish rice recipe made in a skillet in 20 minutes! Enjoy with all your Latin dishes #rice #spanish #Mexican #sidedish #easyrecipe
Hugs Sandra Signature

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  15. Eileen Kelly

    This is the best rice recipe! So easy to follow and the results are perfect! We love Spanish rice and this is so tasty. The family loves it.

    Reply

  17. Bhawana

    wow Spanish rice looking so flavorful and delicious. I am sure they make a perfect combo with any curry recipes. will make it with vegetable stock once for sure. Love your logo.

    Reply

  20. MICHAELA KENKEL

    okay — so I have to tell you. I have TRIED and TRIED to find a recipe for Mexican rice that I loved at much as the stuff I get at our Mexican grocery store deli, and until now I have been completely unsuccessful. UNTIL NOW. This rice is SO freaking GOOD!! I am making it again tonight with our burritos, and I for one can’t wait! Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

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