• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Low Carb
  • Breakfast
  • Main Entrees
  • Salads

Cooked by Julie

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Posted In: Main Entrees, Sides
    March 13, 2019 — Updated July 20, 2021 — by Julie — 1 Comment

    Home » Delish » Main Entrees » Spanish Rice

    Spanish Rice

    Sharing is caring!

    1132 shares
    • Share
    • Reddit
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Spanish rice (also known as Mexican Rice) is an easy side dish that takes less than 30 minutes to make!

     

    The ultimate one-pot meal that can be served with Beans, Carne con Papas, or Enchiladas.

     

    A skillet filled with Spanish rice with an orange kitchen towel and fresh cilantro in the background

     

    Spanish Rice is that delicious side that Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants serve with their classic dishes like Carne Asada Tacos or Shredded Beef Enchiladas. After playing around with several different recipes, this is the one I highly recommend you give a try.

     

    This Spanish rice recipe is super easy and there is no blending involved. Although a lot of recipes require for you to blend the onions and tomatoes in a food processor, I don’t find that step necessary. I don’t like using fresh tomatoes because it turns the rice a little watery. Tomato paste is what I prefer using.

     

    How to Make Spanish Rice

     

    Making Spanish rice is incredibly easy, this is all you have to do:

    1. Drizzle a large skillet with high sides with some olive oil.
    2. Saute the onions, garlic, tomato paste, and spices.
    3. Stir in the rice and let it toast for about 1 minute.
    4. Add the water and let it come up to a boil.
    5. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

     

    a large serving of Spanish rice and fresh cilantro

     

    Can I add vegetables to the rice?

     

    Absolutely. Corn, carrots, and peas are a wonderful addition to Spanish rice.

     

    Why is my rice so sticky? 

     

    Too much liquid and overcooking the rice can give you a sticky mess instead of a light and fluffy rice.

     

    I also tried adding salsa and taco seasoning and was not a fan. Sometimes the easiest recipes are truly the best recipes. Fresh lime and fresh cilantro are almost mandatory here. Highly recommend adding a fresh squeeze of lime and garnishing with cilantro once the rice is fully cooked through.

     

    More Delicious Sides You’ll Enjoy: 

     

    • Cheese Garlic Biscuits 

    • Creamed Mushrooms

    • Creamy Mashed Potatoes

    • Creamed Corn

     

    a large serving of Spanish rice and fresh cilantro

    Spanish Rice

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Entree, Side
    Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 23 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Julie Maestre
    This easy Spanish rice recipe is the ultimate side dish and calls for only a handful of ingredients.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup long grain rice
    • 2 cups water
    • 1/4 cup onions
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1/4 tsp  cumin
    • 1 tsp  Chicken Bouillon Powder Caldo de Pollo en Polvo
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Add 3 tbsp of olive oil to a large skillet with high sides.
    • Add the onions and cook until translucent.
    • Stir in the garlic and cook for 20 seconds.
    • Add the tomato paste, chicken bouillon powder, and cumin.
    • Stir in the rice and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add the water, season with salt, and let it come up to a boil.
    • Once it starts boiling, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.
    • 20 minutes later, use a fork to fluff the rice and serve immediately.
    • Serve with fresh lime and cilantro.

    Video

    Notes

    Do not use basmati rice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 108mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedbyjulie or tag #cookedbyjulie!

     

     

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Filed Under: Main Entrees, Sides

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Martha Salman says

      September 18, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      The best recipe will be following you love this recipe

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Julie! A twenty-something year old, Jersey based woman, who's passionate about food….

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Crispy Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich
    • Air Fryer Tuna Melt
    • Buffalo Chicken Sliders
    • Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
    • Sloppy Joe Sliders
    • French Dip Sliders

    Popular

    • Southern Fried Shrimp
    • Honey Baked Turkey Wings
    • Crab Stuffed Salmon
    • Creamy Garlic Salmon and Shrimp

    Like Us on Facebook

    Cooked by Julie
    Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2021 Cooked by Julie

    1132 shares
     

    Loading Comments...