Homemade Spanish Rice (Quick and Easy Recipe)

Name: Homemade Spanish Rice (Quick and Easy Recipe)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain white Basmati rice (uncooked); 2 tablespoons olive oil; ½ medium-sized onion (finely chopped); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 2 medium-sized red tomatoes (blended); ½ teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 2 cups vegetable stock; 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro/coriander leaves (chopped); salt as required

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This recipe makes tender, fluffy, and foolproof Spanish rice every time.

With a flavorful blend of garlic, tomato, onion, and broth - this one-pan Spanish rice tastes exactly like the one you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

Image: Vibrant orangish red rice served on a white plate along with two lime wedges.

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More Delicious Side Dishes
Ingredients You'll Need
Variations
Tips for the Best Spanish Rice
Instructions Step By Step
Leftovers
FAQs
Recipe
Comments

I love the distinctive red hue of the rice, which gets its color from tomatoes. It is simple, relatively inexpensive, and easy to make. You only need a few common ingredients, and in just 25 minutes, a comforting rice dish is ready to serve.

Spanish rice, also known as red rice, Mexican rice, or Arroz rojo in Mexico, is typically served as a side dish. Whatever you may call this, this tomato-flavored rice tastes so good you will want to eat it right out of the pan.

A perfectly cooked easy Spanish rice recipe shouldn't be gummy or sticky - it should be light, fluffy, and non-sticky. Although it's not difficult, some essential tips will help you make the best easy Spanish rice at home every time.

Serve this as it is or as a side dish to tacos, enchiladas, refried beans, fajitas, or any of your favorite Mexican food.

More Delicious Side Dishes

Ingredients You'll Need

Before we get into the recipe, a few words on the ingredients used. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

The image is showing 11 Ingredients on a white background.

Rice: to make this recipe, I suggest using a good quality long grain white Basmati rice. It cooks up fluffy, with all grains remaining distinct and firm. Basmati rice is a popular variety. You can find it in most supermarkets;

Oil: I like to use olive oil, while you can use your choice of cooking oil or butter. You can even use a combination of oil and butter;

Onion and garlic: essential flavoring base. Use fresh;

Tomatoes, blended: fresh red tomatoes give the best flavor. Rinse the tomatoes and cut them into chunks. Blend until smooth, then proceed with the steps. If you would like, you can strain it using a mesh strainer;

Salt: regular sea salt for seasoning;

Chili powder: dried red chili powder imparts flavor and a hint of heat. You can also use paprika or fresh jalapeno pepper in place depending on the spice level you enjoy;

Ground cumin: it helps to enhance the flavor base;

Dried oregano: it complements the tomato flavor. Hence I would suggest not skipping it;

Stock/broth: I have used my homemade vegetable stock here. You can use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if you prefer;

Cilantro/coriander: use fresh leaves. These are great to add a touch of freshness and color. Sub with parsley if you wish;

Variations

You can add some vegetables to this homemade Spanish rice recipe such as red or green bell pepper, green onions or peas. A few simple ingredients will make this easy side dish taste different each time you make it.

In addition, you can also add some cooked/canned chickpeas or beans and turn it into a complete vegan/vegetarian meal.

Tips for the Best Spanish Rice

The ratio of rice to liquid should be 1:2, which means for 1 cup of uncooked rice, you will need 2 cups of liquid. The amount of liquid is important as it impacts cooking time and how the rice tastes when you serve it.
Always rinse the rice; otherwise, the rice will be sticky. Rinsing the rice well helps remove all the powdery starch from its surface to prevent sticking. It also cleans up the dirt, if any.
Soaking the rice for 15-20 minutes helps quick-cooking, and also it will produce perfectly cooked fluffy rice.
Before adding tomatoes and vegetable or chicken stock, sauteing the rice makes the rice even more fragrant and delicious.
Cook the rice in stock, not water. Stock/broth adds so much flavor to the rice, don't skip it. Your taste buds will thank you!
Make sure to cover the pan/pot with a tight-fitting lid.
1 servings = 1 cup cooked rice = ½ cup uncooked rice

Instructions Step By Step

Rinse the rice 3 to 4 times in water or until the water looks clear. Place the rice in a bowl and add enough water to cover. Soak the rice for 15-20 minutes.
Then strain the rice using a mesh strainer and set it aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet or frying pan. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until onions soften and are golden brown.
Add drained rice. Gently sauté the rice for 2 minutes until slightly toasted. Do it with a light hand to avoid breaking the rice grains.

4 part image showing the rice being soaked, drained, onion-garlic sautéed, and drained rice sautéed.

Add blended tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, and salt. Mix well until everything is well combined.
Add vegetable stock and chopped cilantro and stir to mix.
Bring the rice to a boil over high flame. Once the water on the surface of the rice dries up, reduce the heat to the lowest, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 10 minutes.
Turn off the flame and allow the rice to sit covered for 5 minutes undisturbed. Serve immediately garnished with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

4 part image showing the rice being sautéed with tomatoes and seasoning spices, then cooked with stock until fluffy.

Image showing vibrant tomato flavored rice is served on a white plate.

Leftovers

You can store the leftover Spanish rice in an airtight container, refrigerate them for up to three days, and just reheat them in the microwave for a few minutes before serving. Make sure any leftover rice is hot before serving.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white basmati rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice. However, keep in mind that brown rice typically takes longer to cook and may require additional liquid.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Spanish rice is great for meal prep. You can make it a couple of days ahead and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Can I freeze Spanish Rice?

Yes, Spanish rice freezes well. Store it in airtight freezer-safe containers and it can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use canned tomatoes to make the tomato sauce. If using canned, one 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes is a good equivalent for fresh.

What can I serve Spanish Rice with?

Spanish rice is the perfect side dish that pairs well with many dishes - try it with grilled chicken, enchiladas, or as a filling in Mexican recipes such as burritos. It definitely works well with Spanish recipes! It’s also a great accompaniment to vegetarian or vegan dishes.

If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.

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