A month or two ago, I posted a photo of the super easy Spanish rice that I make my daughter on a weekly basis. It's a staple in our home as we eat it with a chicken rice bowl, use it to make a make-shift arroz con pollo with leftover chicken, or fold it into a cheesy casserole. The requests for the recipe started to pour in so your girl did as she always does, wrote a new recipe for you! This Spanish rice is perfection.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
If you've never had Spanish Rice before, you're in for a treat! Spanish rice, which can also be called Mexican rice, is a side dish made from white rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and other aromatics that is a staple in many hispanic cultures. Back when I was a private chef, the kids nanny taught me how to make it and I've ever stopped.
This Spanish Rice is quite literally the perfect base for any rice bowls or other recipe that skews more Mexican / Tex Mex.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Olive oil
- Basmati rice
- Tomato paste
- Garlic
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Kosher salt
- Dried oregano
- Vegetable broth or stock
How to Make
Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or pot. Add the rice and toast for 90 seconds, or until fragrant and toasted.
Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, and spices and continue to toast for 30 seconds. After toasting for about 2 minutes total, add the liquid and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to let it simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, all the liquid should be absorbed. If not, let it cook for another minute or two until fully absorbed.
Remove from the heat and let sit with the lid secured for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Feel free to add a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of flaky salt before serving.
Tips & Tricks
The key to a perfect Spanish rice is in the 2 minutes up front when you're toasting the rice and all the aromatics. This not only draws out all the flavors and maximizes the taste, but it also prevents any sticking once the rice is cooked!
FAQ's
Spanish rice and Mexican rice are terms used interchangeably to refer to a similar dish. They both typically consist of rice cooked with various ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. The main difference lies in the flavor profile and additional ingredients used.
Spanish rice typically contains rice, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and various spices.
Spanish Rice is typically used as a side dish in various Mexican and Spanish cuisines. I like to use it as a the base of a rice bowl, or incorporate it into a rice casserole!
Similar Recipes
Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups vegetable broth or stock
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or pot. Add the rice and toast for 90 seconds, or until fragrant and toasted.
- Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, and spices and continue to toast for 30 seconds. After toasting for about 2 minutes total, add the liquid and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to let it simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, all the liquid should be absorbed. If not, let it cook for another minute or two until fully absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and let sit with the lid secured for 10 more minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Feel free to add a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of flaky salt before serving
I love the flavor of the spices! I did add an extra 1/2 tsp salt. I will definitely be making this again, but do 1/2 cup less water. The rice was a little soft by the time all the water cooked off & set a bit
I have so much trouble making a solid spanish rice so I was excited for this. Really good flavor but mine got clumpy and sort of overcooked. Even with a papertowel under the lid after it sat off heat for 10 mins. I'm wondering if the tomato paste adds too much moisture. Anyone else have this issue?
Can you substitute brown rice and adjust the cooking time?
sure can
What onion powder and garlic powder brand do find to be the tastiest?
Always looking for new ways to combine rice to make a delicious quick meal. This looks great, and LOVE the cheesy casserole!