Easy Spanish Rice Recipe

5 from 21 votes
Jump to Recipe

Spanish rice (AKA Mexican rice) is a versatile side dish that’s quick and easy, flavorful, and perfect to make ahead!

overheard view of Spanish rice in white bowl.

Save the Recipe!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Newsletter Mailing List

You can’t have Fish Tacos, or any tacos really, without Spanish rice on the side! It’s really a dream with any Mexican main dish, like my Chicken Taquitos recipe, swirled into Turkey Chili, or scooped on Homemade Tortilla Chips. Whether you call it Spanish rice or Mexican rice, there are many reasons to love this recipe, but here’s my top three:

  • So. So. Easy. We’re talking 30 minutes total (including cook time!).
  • Richly flavorful. Quick and easy doesn’t mean compromising on flavor! This recipe is restaurant-quality flavorful, without the mushiness that you might get at a restaurant from sitting under a warmer.
  • Make ahead dream. Make Spanish rice up to 4-5 days in advance and serve with all your Mexican favorites like Chicken Tacos and Mexican Coleslaw.

Spanish Rice Ingredients

Spanish rice recipe ingredients
  • Chicken broth – chicken broth is used in place of water to cook rice, and flavor it!
  • Long grain white rice – look for “long grain white rice” in the grocery store. It makes the best Spanish rice!
  • Garlic – garlic…because garlic! It’s classic in Spanish rice.
  • Yellow onion – yellow onion is a traditional part of Spanish rice. It adds flavor and texture.
  • Tomato paste – I love using tomato paste instead of tomato sauce. Tomato paste is a concentrated form of cooked tomatoes, resulting in a more intense tomato flavor.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – olive oil adds flavor and helps toast the rice.
  • Chili powder – chili powder is a blend of spices such as ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, and paprika. It takes the hassle out of blending your own spices! I love McCormick chili powder since it is mild and delicious (this is not an ad)! If you like spicy, look for a chili powder labeled “hot”.

How to Make Spanish Rice

Learn how to make the best Spanish rice in a few easy steps! Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!

  1. Add olive oil, rice, onion, and garlic to a pot over medium heat. Toast rice for 5-7.
  2. Add tomato paste and stir.
  3. Add broth, chili powder and salt. Stir.
  4. Bring to a boil, and then simmer (covered) for 20-25 minutes, until rice is soft and the liquid has reduced down.

Let Spanish rice simmer until rice and soft and liquid is gone.

What to Serve With Spanish Rice

Spanish rice is a versatile side dish for Mexican and other main dishes alike! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve Spanish rice:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Spanish-Rice-Recipe-4-scaled.jpg

Storage, Reheating and Freezing

  • Storage: once cooled, store leftover Spanish rice in a covered container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
  • Reheating: cover and reheat in increments of 30 seconds, in the microwave, until hot (yes, the microwave is the best method!).
  • Freezing: cool and place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months for best quality, thawing overnight, and then reheating before serving.

My Pro Tip

Recipe Tips

There’s no need to rinse rice prior to cooking.

Look for “long grain white rice” or else cooking times and broth amounts will vary.

If halving or doubling the recipe, use the amount of oil and broth listed on the back of the rice package.

Chili powder is a blend of spices such as ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, and paprika. It takes the hassle out of blending your own spices together!

You can add a dash of Sazón seasoning which is often used in Spanish/Mexican rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to rinse rice?

There’s no need to rinse rice prior to cooking.

Can I halve or double the recipe?

If halving or doubling the recipe, use the amount of oil and broth listed on the back of the rice package.

How much rice do I need per person?

1 cup of uncooked rice will yield about 4 side dish servings (or 6 light eaters or 2 extra hungry eaters).

What type of rice is best for Spanish rice?

Long grain white rice is the best type for Spanish rice because of its texture, which allows the grains to stay separate and fluffy when cooked. It also has a neutral flavor which works best with the bold flavors of Spanish rice. You can use basmati or jasmine rice but keep in mind the amount of broth and cook time will vary (follow package instructions).

Can I use brown rice?

You can use long grain brown rice but the cook time and amount of broth may differ! Consult the back of the rice package for cook time and broth amount.

What’s the difference between Spanish and Mexican rice?

While they are not exactly the same, both Spanish and Mexican rice are seasoned, tomato-based rice dishes. The main difference is Mexican rice has bolder, spicier flavor.

What are some variations and topping ideas?

Add in veggies like belly peppers, peas, mushrooms or Grilled Corn. Add in protein like cooked chicken, chorizo, or shrimp. Make it spicy with chopped jalapeño or a dash of cayenne pepper. Garnish with cilantro, black beans, or slivered almonds…yum!

More Mexican Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love!

If you’ve tried this Spanish Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!

overheard view of Spanish rice in white bowl.
5 from 21 votes

Easy Spanish Rice Recipe

Spanish rice (AKA Mexican rice) is a versatile side dish that’s quick and easy, flavorful, and perfect to make ahead!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Save Recipe
Enter your email to save the recipe to your inbox and be added to our mailing list!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Newsletter Mailing List

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth, low sodium if preferred
  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions 

  • Add olive oil, rice, onion, and garlic to a small pot over medium heat. Sauté and toast rice until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add tomato paste and stir until combined.
  • Add broth, chili powder and salt. Stir. NOTE: different types of rice other than “long grain white rice” may require a different broth amount. Check the back of the rice package.
  • Bring to a boil, and then simmer (covered) for 20-25 minutes, until rice is soft and the liquid has reduced down. NOTE: Check the back of the rice package for broth amount if not using “long grain white rice”. Simmer rice for 5-10 minutes past the simmer time listed on the rice package. No need to steam after simmering.

Video

Notes

  • There’s no need to rinse rice prior to cooking.
  • Look for “long grain white rice” or else cooking times and broth amounts will vary.
  • If halving or doubling the recipe, use the amount of oil and broth listed on the back of the rice package.
  • Chili powder is a blend of spices such as ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, and paprika. It takes the hassle out of blending your own spices together! I love McCormick chili powder since it is mild and delicious (this is not an ad).
  • You can add a dash of Sazón seasoning which is often used in Spanish/Mexican rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 361mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Spanish
Calories: 243
Keyword: any season
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

About Grace Vallo

Hi, I’m Grace Vallo! Welcome to my kitchen! Here you’ll find kitchen-tested recipes and step-by-step tutorials with videos, giving home cooks the knowledge and confidence to cook and bake the most flavorful recipes for every season. Featured on the Food Network, Food & Wine, Taste of Home and more.

You May Also Like

5 from 21 votes (21 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating