Spanish Rice
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love This Spanish Rice
This Spanish Rice is fluffy, savory, and packed with tomato and garlic flavor. Toasting the rice before simmering gives it a delicious nutty flavor while helping each grain stay separate and fluffy.
It's an easy side dish that pairs beautifully with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, grilled chicken, and beans. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this homemade Mexican-style rice is much more flavorful than boxed versions and comes together easily in one pot.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Rinse the Rice
Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cool water until the water runs mostly clear. Drain thoroughly.
2. Toast the Rice
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the drained rice and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice becomes lightly golden and smells nutty.
3. Add the Aromatics
Add the diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the Tomato and Seasonings
Stir in the tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring to coat the rice evenly.
5. Add the Broth
Pour in the chicken broth and stir gently. If using peas and carrots, add them now.
6. Simmer
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover tightly and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender.
7. Rest the Rice
Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the remaining steam to finish cooking the rice and helps create a fluffy texture.
8. Fluff and Serve
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in fresh cilantro. Serve warm with lime wedges.
Expert Tips
Toast the rice until lightly golden before adding the liquid for the best flavor. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess surface starch and help prevent gummy rice. Keep the lid closed while the rice cooks so steam stays trapped inside. Let the rice rest before fluffing for the best texture.
Storage
Store leftover Spanish Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered skillet with a splash of water or broth. You can also freeze cooked rice for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Spanish Rice alongside tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, grilled chicken, carne asada, black beans, refried beans, or roasted vegetables. Add fresh cilantro and lime just before serving for extra brightness.
Recipe Variations
Add diced jalapeños for heat, chopped bell peppers for extra vegetables, corn for sweetness, or black beans for a heartier side dish. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make the recipe vegetarian. For a richer tomato flavor, replace some of the tomato sauce with diced tomatoes or salsa.
Frequently Asked Questions
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