Homemade Spanish Rice

Homemade Spanish Rice is a great way to round off any type of Mexican style dinner and this one is super versatile. We love it with our amazing Authentic Carnitas.

Ingredients for Easy Spanish Rice:

Spanish Rice has a few different names such as Mexican rice, red rice, or arroz rojo. Regardless of the name the cooking method is the same. Rice is sauteed in oil, then tomatoes are added along with broth. Additionally, there are always a few common ingredients:

• Rice – medium or long grain
• Tomatoes or Tomato Sauce
• Garlic
• Onions
• Broth – vegetable or chicken

How to make Spanish Rice from scratch:

• In a large skillet heat the oil on medium-high heat until shimmering
• Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 30-seconds
• Add rice and cook until lightly toasted, then add garlic and reduce heat to medium
• Stir in the tomato sauce and mix well to coat the rice
• Add the broth, mix well, and make sure the rice is settled into an even layer in the pan
• Bring pan of rice to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover
• Cook for 15-minutes
• Add diced carrots and cover
• Cook for 5 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed
• Add the peas, cover and cook an additional minute
• Uncover, fluff the rice with a fork, and mix to combine
• Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired

What’s in a name?

Despite its name, Spanish Rice is virtually unknown in Spain or Mexico, it is really an American dish. Rice dishes in Spain are generally yellow in color because of the addition of saffron. Rice dishes in Mexican cuisine are usually red due to the inclusion of tomato sauce or paste but referred to as “red rice” or Arroz Rojo.

Key Ingredient Tips for Spanish Rice:

• The Rice – long grain or medium grain works best. Long grain rice contains less starch so the cooked rice is drier and stays more separate. This is the best rice for pilafs as well.
• Tomato Sauce – None on hand? You can make your own if you have tomato paste. Mix together one part tomato paste and one part water until well blended.
• Traditional Mexican rice often uses chicken broth, but I normally use vegetable broth.
• Add-Ins – this recipe incorporates diced carrots and peas. It gives the rice a beautiful pop of color.

Cilantro: the controversial herb

If you like cilantro, sprinkle a little on top for color and taste. I didn’t use it in these pictures because it was for a group, and cilantro can be controversial.

Cilantro is an ingredient that people either love or hate. I love it! However, many really dislike it. In fact, Julia Child was one of the 14% that couldn’t eat it. There are a lot of articles out there about this controversial herb, including this one by the New York Times. So, this ingredient is optional!

Pro tips for serving:

• If serving on a buffet, or for a crowd, heat the dish you will be serving it in, add the rice and cover to keep warm until ready to eat.
• This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

Great dishes to serve with homemade Spanish Rice

• Authentic Carnitas can be made in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker.
• Carne Asada is a citrus marinated grilled steak that comes together quickly
• Our Authentic Chili Verde Recipe is made with slow cooked pork in a homemade spicy tomatillo sauce.
• Chile Colorado, which is chunks of tender beef, cooked in a mildly spicy flavorful chili sauce
• Our Spicy Mango Margaritas with Chili Lime are the perfect cocktail with any of the dishes above!

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Print Recipe

5 from 13 votes

Homemade Spanish Rice

Simple but flavorful Mexican style rice that you can make in 30 minutes. Great as a side for Taco Tuesday and it's vegetarian.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 241kcal

Author: Cyndy Ufkes at The Art of Food and Wine

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ¾ cup onion, diced
• 1 pinch salt
• 1½ cups long or medium grain white rice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• ½ cup carrots, diced Optional
• ½ cup frozen peas Optional
• 1 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped Optional for garnish

Instructions

• In a large skillet, heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering, on medium-high heat.
• Add diced onion and pinch of salt, and saute for 30 seconds, then add rice. Stir constantly until rice and onions begin to lightly brown. Stir in garlic and reduce heat to medium.
• Add tomato sauce and mix well to coat the rice.
• Stir in broth and mix well. Make sure rice is settled into an even layer in the pan.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Add diced carrots and cover.
• Cook for about 5 more minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Add the peas and cover again for 1 minute to allow peas to cook.
• Remove cover, fluff rice with a fork, and mix vegetables.
• Sprinkle with cilantro (optional) and serve in a dish with a lid to keep warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2105IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg