Easy Spanish Rice (Mexican Rice)
The good news is this delicious Spanish Rice recipe is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free. To keep it gluten-free, ensure your stock doesn’t contain gluten.
This aromatic rice dish is characterized by its rich tomato flavor. It is infused with spices and cooked with onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Despite its name, Spanish Rice has roots in Mexican cuisine and is commonly served as a side dish or as a base for many Mexican-inspired dishes such as baked burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and more.
Having lived in Mexico for many years, rice became one of our favorite go-to foods, mostly as a side dish. We ate it mostly with tacos, salads, and one of our favorite dishes, chicken and frijoles. To be honest, though we don’t live in Mexico now and don’t have the privilege of dining at Mexican restaurants, we love eating it with our homemade Reggae Egg Meatloaf and our Chicken Bacon Bake.
Spanish Rice is incredibly versatile. Whether you prefer it mild or spicy hot, on its own, or with meat or fish, the options are endless. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish that brings a taste of the vibrant flavors of Mexico to your table. Whether served alongside your favorite Mexican/Spanish dishes, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
What’s To Love?
- The mild yet flavorful taste of Spanish rice makes it a hit with both kids and adults.
- No oven is required.
- Doesn’t require any hard-to-find ingredients.
- It’s a flavorful and vibrant dish that’s perfect for potlucks.
- It’s easy to make in large quantities, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
- Tastes as good as it looks, making it great for almost any occasion and season.
- Incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit individual preferences.
- It’s a traditional dish that has been enjoyed for generations, giving you a taste of culinary history and heritage.
Have you already tried Spanish Rice? If so, let us know how it was…we can’t wait to hear all about it!
Let’s Talk Ingredients
We feel every ingredient adds to the overall taste and texture; if you remove one, it’s like you’ve removed them all.
- Butter — used because it adds more flavor than oil.
- Rice — use long-grain white rice, basmati white rice – or jasmine. These are typically used for their ability to remain separate and fluffy when cooked.
- Tomatoes — one of the defining characteristics of Spanish Rice is its vibrant red color, which comes from canned plum tomatoes.
- Tomato Puree — adds a depth of flavor and sweetness to the stock.
- Onion — use red onion for sweetness.
- Garlic — they are a must in Mexican/Spanish cuisine; they add richness and a lovely garlic flavor. Add more if you prefer.
- Peppers — use red and green bell peppers; they add sweetness and vibrancy.
- Stock — use chicken stock for the best flavor.
- Spices / Herbs — use smoked paprika, chili powder, fresh cilantro (coriander), ground cumin, and salt. Combined, they add an aromatic element and a warm and earthy flavor. The salt draws out the sweetness and flavors.
For more detailed ingredients, see the recipe card.
Customizations
Here are some foodie alternatives should you want to make some changes:
- Butter — use a high smoking point oil suitable for this dish such as rice bran oil or coconut oil.
- Tomatoes — the equivalent of fresh tomatoes can be used, but they do make the rice a little bland and less rich.
- Onions — use white onions.
- Garlic — for convenience, use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic puree (paste).
- Stock — replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
When substituting ingredients, remember that the taste, texture, and overall result might differ, particularly if you’re substituting many ingredients.
If you have made the Spanish Rice with any customizations, we’d love to hear about it; please message us in the comments.
Instructions – Overview
Spanish Rice is easy to make and is even easier to eat. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started on your baking journey (more detailed instructions are in the recipe card):
▶︎ The first step is to rinse the rice thoroughly; this removes excess starch, which can cause the rice to clump together. Don’t miss this step!
▶︎ Aromatics like onions, garlic, and bell peppers are sautéed first to create a savory base. Then the spices cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika are added to add depth and warmth.
▶︎ The rice is then toasted in the now aromatic oil and veggies before adding liquid; this enhances its nutty flavor and prevents it from becoming mushy. The rice is then cooked in the tomatoes and stock (broth) to infuse it with all the flavors and richness of the veggies and spices.
For more detailed instructions, notes, and ideas…see the recipe card.
Easy Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter or oil
- 250 grams Basmati White Rice or Jasmine
- 400 grams Canned Plum Tomatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp Tomato Puree
- 1 medium Red Onion
- 2 Garlic Cloves or 1-2 tsp garlic puree
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Chili Powder mild or hot
- 500 ml Stock chicken or vegetable
- 1-2 pinch Himalayan Salt to season
- 50 grams Fresh Cilantro (coriander leaves), for garnish, (optional)
Method
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
- Dice the bell peppers, chop the onions, and mince the garlic.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and the garlic is fragrant about 2-3 minutes.2 tbsp Butter, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1 medium Red Onion
- Add the diced red and green bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.1 Red Bell Pepper, 1 Green Bell Pepper
- Add the rinsed rice to the skillet along with, paprika, ground cumin and chili powder. Stir well to coat the rice with the spices and cook for 1-2 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.250 grams Basmati White Rice, 1 tsp Ground Cumin, 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp Chili Powder
- Pour in the canned tomatoes, tomato puree, and stock. Stir well to combine.400 grams Canned Plum Tomatoes, 500 ml Stock, 1 tbsp Tomato Puree
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Stir very occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.1-2 pinch Himalayan Salt
- Garnish the rice with fresh cilantro leaves, and serve hot.50 grams Fresh Cilantro
Nutrition
Notes
- Cook the rice in a nonstick pan. If you don’t use a nonstick pan, stir it every 5-10 minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
- Spanish rice works best with Basmati or Jasmine. When cooked, the grains stay separate and fluffy.
- Rinsing your rice may appear to be an additional step, but it is highly recommended to ensure perfectly cooked rice. The purpose of rinsing is to remove excess starch from the grains which can cause them to clump together. Make sure to rinse your rice thoroughly until the water runs clear to achieve the best results.
- Toasting the rice in oil or butter before adding liquid adds a lot more flavor and helps prevent it from becoming mushy. Stir the rice frequently while toasting to prevent burning. We prefer butter over oil because it adds a lot more flavor.
- Use the correct water-to-rice ratio for fluffy and well-cooked rice.
- Sautéing onions, peppers, and garlic before adding the rice also enhances the flavor.
- Opt for diced canned tomatoes without added seasonings. Fresh tomatoes can also be used; just make sure they are ripe and flavorful. Out of the two, we think canned works better for this dish.
- Make sure you use low-sodium stock as your rice may come out too salty.
- Don’t be tempted to uncover the rice while it’s cooking to peek at it. Leave the lid on to let the steam do its magic!
- Allowing the cooked rice to rest with the lid on for a few minutes helps redistribute moisture and ensures a fluffy texture.
- Extra Vegetable Twist: You can also add extra vegetables like corn, peas, or carrots for added texture and flavor.
- Protein Boost: You can also add cooked diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a heartier dish.
- Cheesy Goodness: For a creamy and cheesy twist, stir in some shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco before serving. This is obviously dependent on the main dish you plan to serve it with.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Tools You’ll Need
Want to make the best Spanish Rice? Using the correct equipment for preparation is essential; we think they’re a big helping hand. We understand that you might already have some of these kitchen tools to make this recipe, or you might want to use other tools and may not require our recommendations. Here are some of our suggestions to get you started:
- Frying Pan – to cook the rice.
- Mini Chopper – to finely chop the onion, etc, or use a sharp knife.
- Chopping Board – to chop the vegetables.
- Garlic Press – to mince the garlic, or use the mini chopper.
- Silicone Spatula – for stirring and incorporating all the ingredients smoothly.
- Weighing Scales and Measuring Spoons – to measure the ingredients accurately.
If you love those gadgets for this recipe, then you’ll love this Kitchenaid frying pan (skillet). It’s our go-to for many of our recipes, and we think every budding chef needs it. It’s the perfect pan for a chicken bake.
Hard-wearing KitchenAid Frying Pan with heavy-gauge forged aluminum, fast heating, extreme durability, scratch resistance, 3-layer German-engineered non-stick coating, matte stainless steel handles for a cool and secure grip, induction-ready, oven safe up to 220°C, dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage.
Check out our favorite kitchen equipment that we love to use with all our recipes.
Storing
See our FAQs for detailed instructions on storing, refrigeration, freezing, and defrosting and for answers to readers’ questions.
Do you have a question? If so, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply within 24-48 hours and add your question to our FAQs if relevant.
Pairing
Spanish Rice can be eaten on its own, but can easily be paired with main meals. Here are some suggestions and our favorite go-to’s what to eat with it:
▶︎ Serve alongside cheesy quesadillas filled with your favorite fillings such as chicken, vegetables, or beans.
▶︎ Consider a piece of salmon, chicken, or ribeye steak.
▶︎ Consider adding some final touches by adding kidney beans, peas, or olives for a true Spanish feel.
▶︎ Spanish Sausage Casserole
▶︎ Reggae Egg Meatloaf
▶︎ Spanish Chicken Chorizo Bake
▶︎ Caribbean Chicken Curry
▶︎ Chili Con Carne
▶︎ Use it as a base for a hearty salad.
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Thank you for checking out Spanish Rice!
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⭐️ Quick Tip: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand. Voila…you’re all set to go!
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FAQ’s & Troubleshooting
By addressing these FAQs and troubleshooting tips, you can overcome common challenges and create a delicious batch of Spanish Rice every time.
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For food safety top tips, check out USDA.gov.
Hey, I’m Sharon, I’m a full-time food blogger, mother of 3 grown adults and 3 huskies. Most days you can find me in the kitchen creating new recipes, I love cooking indulgent bakes and love sharing them. I am lucky to connect with and inspire people from all around the world and help you on your cooking journey so you can eat in style!
This IS my perfect goto ice now. Wow ty
Hey, ty for the love 😉