Today, we’re going to dive into making an Easy Spanish Rice recipe that’s so delicious that you’ll want to make it all the time.
Have you ever had Spanish rice at a Mexican restaurant and thought, “Wow, I wish I could make this at home”? Well, guess what? You totally can, and our version makes it a super Easy Spanish Rice Recipe.
Spanish Rice is like a fiesta in your mouth. Ha! It’s full of flavors from tomatoes, spices, and everything nice.
Seriously, though, this rice is one of my favorite things to get at any authentic Mexican restaurant. The flavor is hard to beat.
So, being me, one day, I decided I had to have my own version of it. I failed a lot at first. Now, though, I think I’ve got a recipe here that you’ll really love.
It’s the perfect side dish to go with tacos, grilled chicken, or just about any Mexican food.
Plus, making it at home means you can add your favorite ingredients to make it just right for you and your family.
Let’s get cooking and bring this easy Spanish recipe to our kitchens!
Some of our other favorite Mexican inspired recipes we have on our site include: Easy One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole, Easy Taco Mexican Pasta Recipe (One Pot Meal), and Mexican Stuffed Peppers.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Super Flavorful: The combination of garlic, tomatoes, and spices makes this rice super tasty.
- Easy to Make: With easy steps and simple ingredients, anyone can whip up this dish.
- Kid-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love this colorful and yummy rice.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Salted butter
- Garlic
- Cherry tomatoes
- Uncooked rice, long-grain rice
- Fresh cilantro
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
HOW TO MAKE EASY SPANISH RICE RECIPE:
- Add the butter and garlic to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and saute for 1 minute.
- Add the rice and cilantro and let fry in the fat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the water, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, cumin, lime juice, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, and let come to a boil.
- Bring the temperature down to low heat and cook, covered for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve immediately
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT KIND OF RICE IS THE BET TO USE?
For creating the perfect Spanish rice, long grain white rice is the ideal choice, as it cooks up fluffy and ensures separate grains.
This type of rice absorbs flavors well while maintaining its structure, making it a crucial pantry staple for this dish.
Starting with plain, long grain white rice gives you more control over the flavor and allows for a more authentic experience.
SHOULD I RINSE MY RICE?
Absolutely, rinsing your rice before cooking is a step you shouldn’t skip.
It removes excess starch from the surface of the rice grains, which can cause the rice to become sticky during cooking.
This is especially important when cooking in a Dutch oven or a 10-inch skillet, as it helps achieve that desired fluffy texture.
Plus, rinsing can improve the nutritional value of the rice by washing away any impurities.
Whether you’re preparing a beans recipe, chicken enchiladas, or simply cooking rice as a side dish, starting with rinsed rice gets you better results and complements the flavors of your main dish.
Oh yeah! I’m a fan of options and I’ve got a few of them for you here.
- Toss in some diced bell pepper for extra crunch and color.
- Add black beans or refried beans for a heartier dish.
- Mix in some corn for a sweet pop of flavor.
- Sprinkle in chili powder or taco seasoning for an extra kick.
- Top with sour cream for a creamy touch.
- Garnish with green onions or extra cilantro for freshness.
- Stir in some diced cooked chicken for a complete meal.
- Add a spoonful of mild salsa for more tomato flavor.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt for cheesy goodness.
- Include some green chilies for a spicy twist.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Yeppers! Let me know in the comments how it goes. Tell me if there is anything you would have added here!
- Try chicken broth, chicken stock, or vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor.
- Use olive oil instead of butter for a healthier option.
- Substitute lime juice with lemon juice for a citrusy change.
- Replace smoked paprika with chili powder for a different spice profile.
- Use tomato sauce in place of tomato paste.
- You can use brown rice, but the cooking time may vary
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To reheat leftover Spanish rice, add just a bit of water or broth and put it in the microwave.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Make sure to cook the rice in a large skillet to give it enough room to fluff up.
- Adding the lime juice at the end keeps its fresh flavor intact.
- Let the rice sit for a few minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork.
- For an authentic touch, try adding a bit of diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes.
- Use a medium heat setting to avoid burning the garlic and rice.
Making Easy Spanish Rice at home is not only simple but also super rewarding.
You get a delicious side dish that goes with just about any Mexican meal, making it perfect for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or any day you’re craving something yummy and comforting.
Plus, this easy Spanish rice recipe is a great way to impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this EASY SPANISH RICE RECIPE, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Easy Spanish Rice Recipe from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 5 cherry tomatoes cut in 4ths
- 1 cup long grain white rice rinsed well
- 1/8 cup fresh cilantro rough chop
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon lime juice fresh squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the butter and garlic to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.1 tablespoon salted butter, 1 clove garlic
- Add the tomatoes and saute for 1 minute.5 cherry tomatoes
- Add the rice and cilantro and let fry in the fat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 cup long grain white rice, 1/8 cup fresh cilantro
- Add the water, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, cumin, lime juice, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, and let come to a boil.2 cups water, 1 teaspoon tomato paste, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Bring the temperature down to low heat and cook, covered for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to cook the rice in a large skillet to give it enough room to fluff up.
- Adding the lime juice at the end keeps its fresh flavor intact.
- Let the rice sit for a few minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork.
- For an authentic touch, try adding a bit of diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes.
- Use a medium heat setting to avoid burning the garlic and rice.
Comments & Reviews
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
Yum! I love chicken and rice dishes and this one is perfect for when you are short on time!
Joann @EuchreFun says
Hi Dana, Your Tex Mex Chicken Rice Bowl looks so deeelish …. we love Mexican food!! Thanks for posting on Wake Up Wednesday Linky 🙂
Kim Anderson says
I love this because I always do this kind of bowl with plain rice and have never thought to season the rice! My hubby is going to love this dish even more now! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Wendy @ www.mamasblogcentral.com says
Mmmmmm! Looks yummy, I will have to try this 🙂
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
This sound delish. Pinning.
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove says
This looks amazing! And I love your step by step photos. Pinning. Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty.
Angela Parker says
What a beautiful recipe! Your pictures are wonderful. I love Mexican food so so much. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer @ A More Organized Life says
Your Tex Mex Grilled Chicken looks divine! I’m sure my family will love this. I pinned it so I can make sure I have the recipe. I found you through the Let’s Get Real blog hop. Thanks for sharing this on there!
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
Yum…looks delicious Dana! I love rice bowls. 🙂
Tracy says
yum! I will have to try this. I have not made Spanish rice in years and the chicken looks yummy.
Handmade at Warratahstree
Jennifer Johnson says
This looks so good I can’t seem to get enough of tex mex anything these days.
Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life says
Hi Dana! I’m stopping in from Let’s Get Real today. This recipe does look super yummy! We like to use our taco night leftovers for lunch the next day by turning them into taco bowls. I don’t have a Spanish rice recipe yet so I’m excited to try yours. I have really been in the mood for Spanish rice!
Becca says
Looks so beautiful, easy, and delicious! Can’t wait to try – pinning for future reference! Thanks for linking up at Shine a Spotlight!
Diane Balch says
Your Spanish rice recipe looks terrific along with the excellent chicken. Thanks for bringing it to foodie friday.
Anetta @ The Wanderlust Kitchen says
Love this! I’m a sucker for anything tex-mex. Stopping by from Marvelous Monday!
Michelle @ Esculent Dreams says
love this!!! Happy to find it on tonight’s Sunday Best 🙂 your spanish rice sounds delish!
Marti says
This looks sooooo good! Thank you for sharing it. Pinned to the party board! 🙂
Marti
Tina says
Yum! That looks so good. Pinning to try later.
Christine says
For some reason I am horrible at making rice, but this sure looks delicious!
CJ Huang says
Loving these flavors! You’re featured this week on Share Your Stuff Tuesdays. 🙂