We’re notably fortunate in Nashville, having so many worldwide eating places everywhere in the metropolis. My household’s favourite splurge goes out for Mexican meals! My daughter could be a choosy toddler, however Spanish Rice (and black beans!) are at all times a win together with her! We dwell out within the nation, so if we’ve received a busy day on the farm and our finances’s notably tight, we prefer to put a spin on a few of our favourite menu objects at residence. This tremendous simple and budget-friendly Spanish Rice is so simple to whip up with simply 5 substances—we by no means skip it!

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What’s Spanish Rice?
Spanish rice, often known as ‘arroz rojo’ or Mexican rice, is a well-liked Mexican aspect dish. It’s made by sautéing rice with onions, then cooking it with tomatoes, broth, and typically spices to present it a scrumptious taste. Regardless of being a Mexican aspect dish, it’s believed the identify ‘Spanish rice’ comes from the truth that rice was launched to Mexico by Spanish settlers within the 1500’s. There are a lot of variations of this dish, however my recipe is a straightforward and scrumptious model which you could make any night time of the week!
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this simple Spanish rice recipe:
- Yellow Onion: I mince half a yellow onion (any selection will work) into small items that nearly disappear into the rice as soon as cooked. Remember to sauté it in olive oil till translucent and shiny earlier than including your rice to the pan!
- White Rice: This recipe works greatest with long-grain white rice. Keep away from short-grain or sticky rice varieties, as they gained’t provide the similar fluffy texture. Brown rice might work, however it takes for much longer to prepare dinner and can possible want extra liquid than I’ve specified within the recipe card under.
- Vegetable Broth: For cooking the rice. I exploit Higher Than Bouillon to make my broth as a result of it’s cost-effective and tastes nice. I like to recommend seasoning to style with salt in case you use a special model or a selfmade broth.
- Diced Tomatoes with Inexperienced Chiles: These are canned diced tomatoes with bits of inexperienced chiles added in for somewhat further taste. I’ve seen authentic, gentle, and fire-roasted variations obtainable within the grocery retailer, however any will work for this recipe! I exploit two 10 oz cans, together with the juices.
- Olive Oil: For softening the onion and toasting the rice.
Spice It Up!
The canned tomatoes with inexperienced chiles already add somewhat kick to this recipe, however not sufficient that it’s too spicy (my daughter eats this with no drawback). However in case you like issues somewhat hotter, be happy so as to add in some spicy taco seasoning, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. You too can high your rice with contemporary jalapeños or a drizzle of sizzling sauce for a critical kick of warmth!
- Don’t neglect to rinse your rice. Give it a very good rinse underneath chilly water earlier than including it to the pan. This helps take away extra starch and stops your rice from turning into too sticky.
- Toast the rice earlier than including liquid. As soon as I’ve softened my onions, I add within the rice and let it toast for a couple of minutes earlier than including any liquid. This step provides a nutty, scrumptious taste to the rice and helps the grains keep separate whereas cooking.
- Let it simmer! Stirring rice too usually can break up the grains and make it mushy. I like to recommend letting your rice prepare dinner undisturbed till all of the liquid is absorbed. Then, take away it from the warmth and fluff it with a fork earlier than serving.
- Keep watch over your rice. Whereas I don’t suggest stirring consistently, it’s essential to examine in your rice and take it off the warmth as soon as all of the liquid is absorbed. Nonetheless, in case your rice continues to be a bit undercooked (totally different stoves, pans, and even rice manufacturers can have an effect on cooking instances), you may add somewhat further liquid and proceed cooking till the rice is tender.
Serving Options
It doesn’t matter if I’m making selfmade sheet pan fajitas or a vegetable tamale pie, this simple Spanish rice is ALWAYS on the menu. It goes so nicely with virtually any Mexican or Tex-Mex dish and even makes an awesome addition to cheese and bean burritos or as a aspect to any tacos, resembling our tajín shrimp tacos. I typically add this rice to my taco salad for an additional filling lunch possibility for my household, too.
Find out how to Retailer Spanish Rice
Let your Spanish rice cool fully earlier than storing it in an hermetic container within the fridge. Don’t depart it out at room temperature for greater than 2 hours to keep away from bacterial development. Reheat it on the stovetop or microwave till heated although. I’d add a splash of water or broth to the rice earlier than reheating, simply to verify it doesn’t dry out.
For longer storage, you may freeze it in a freezer-safe container or bag for as much as 3 months. Simply be sure that to thaw it earlier than reheating it on the range or microwave.


Spanish Rice Recipe
This recipe for Spanish Rice is made with 5 easy substances and is the proper aspect dish for any Mexican-inspired meal. Straightforward & budget-friendly!


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- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.38)
- ½ yellow onion, minced (about 1 cup) ($0.45)
- 2 cups white rice ($0.44)
- 2 cups vegetable broth* ($0.18)
- 2 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes with inexperienced chiles ($1.92)
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Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet with the minced onion till shiny.
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Add the rice to the skillet. Toss to coat it and toast.
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Add the broth and canned diced tomatoes with juices.
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Simmer evenly coated for 20 minutes till all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve!
See how we calculate recipe prices right here.
*We like to make use of Higher Than Bouillon to maintain prices down. The really helpful ratio for broth utilizing Higher Than Bouillon is 1 tsp bouillon to 1 cup water. Because the bouillon is already salty, I didn’t add any further salt to this recipe. In case you aren’t utilizing bouillon, you might wish to add 1 tsp of salt while you add your broth to the skillet.
Serving: 1cupEnergy: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFats: 4gSodium: 535mgFiber: 1g
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find out how to make Spanish Rice – step-by-step photographs


Warmth 2 Tbsp olive oil in a big skillet with ½ a minced yellow onion till shiny.


Add 2 cups raw white rice to the skillet. Toss to coat it and toast.


Add 2 cups vegetable broth and a pair of 10 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices.


Simmer evenly coated for 20 min till all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve!




