How to make Homemade Spanish Rice/Mexican Rice. whatever you call it, we’ve got the best and Easiest Spanish Rice Recipe you can find. It tastes like it came straight from the restaurant!
It’s our go-toside dishwhen servingMexican food! Not only is it simple and takes under 10 minutes to prep, but it’s perfect served with ourtacosandenchiladas!
Easy Mexican Rice
I LOVE Spanish Rice (aka MexicanRice)! As previously mentioned, I’m ½ Mexican. I love this family heritage so much, and am especially grateful that my family has taught me to make delicious Mexican food.
My mom has been making today’s Spanish Rice recipe for as long as I can remember and first showed me how to make it several years ago (along withempanadas,enchiladasandtacos). Now, we make it on a weekly basis because my kids are obsessed and it’s just so easy.
This recipe is actually the Spanish Rice recipe of a popular Mexican Restaurant in Mesa called Mango’s (down on Main). If you’ve ever been down there and liked their rice, then you’ll love this recipe. It really is simple, delicious and the perfect side to any Mexican dish!
How to Make spanish Rice
One of the main reasons we love this recipe (other than the fact that it’s simple), is because we always have the ingredients on hand. Here are the Spanish rice ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious side dish:
- long grain rice
- oil
- tomato sauce
- minced garlic
- chicken broth
- cumin
- garlic pepper + salt
Begin by browning the rice in the oil (we use about ⅛ but it depends on how much you like). Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute before adding the tomato sauce, chicken broth (or water and bouillon cube) and spices.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Fluff up before serving.
FAQ + TIPS
How much rice per person?Plan on ¼ cup uncooked rice per person. Once the rice is cooked it will end up being about ¾ – 1 cup per person. If a recipe calls for 3 cups uncooked rice plan on it feeding about 12 people.
Which rice is best for Spanish Rice?We love to use long-grain white rice. It gets fluffy and does not get sticky like some of the short-grained rices.
Can Spanish rice be made with brown rice?Brown rice can definitely be used in place of white rice. Just add ⅓ c more water per cup of brown rice and let simmer longer- until the brown rice reaches your desired texture.
Can you use salsa instead of tomato sauce?Sure thing! Salsa can add more flavor and even a bit more spice to this mild rice recipe. It’s all about preference.
Which topping ingredients are best for this rice?You can add what you love most, but we often add chopped peppers, chopped cilantro, onions or even green onions.
Once all your spices and tomato sauce are added, stir and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes.
REHEATING, FREEZING + MORE RECIPES
How to reheat Spanish Rice/mexican rice?Be sure to store it properly in an air-tight container. It can last in the fridge for up to 5-6 days. To reheat, just microwave or reheat on the stove for a few minutes.
Can spanish rice be frozen?Yes, it can be frozen to be used at a future time. Simply place about 3 cups of cooked rice into ziplock freezer bags, label and place in the freezer for 4-6 months.
When you’re ready to use you can thaw the rice in the fridge or cook straight from the freezer. Using a microwave safe bowlmicrowave the rice on high stirring every 2 minutes until rice reaches your desired temperature.
Recipes that use Spanish Rice
Yes, we use it as a side for any Mexican dish, but we also like to use it recipes too, including:
- Burritos
- Rice bowls/Burrito Bowls
- Chimichangas
- Taco Salad
And best of all, is that it’s the best side for any Mexican meal!! Below are video and printable instructions to make the Mexican rice. We hope you can enjoy it with any Mexican dish you try.
For more Mexican rice recipes, check out:
what to serve with Spanish Rice?
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Red Cheese Enchiladas
- Beef Empanadas
- Green Chile Burros
- Baked Chicken Chimichanga
- Steak Fajitas
Spanish Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2cupslong grain rice
- 1/8cupvegetable oil
- 8oztomato sauce
- 6stemscilantro(optional)
- 1tspsalt
- 1tspminced garlic
- 4cupswater(or 4 cups chicken lower sodium chicken broth - and no bouillon)
- 1cubechicken flavored bouillon
- dashcumin
- dashgarlic pepper
Instructions
-
Heat oil in large frying pan on medium heat.
-
Add rice and cook until golden brown.
-
Add 1 chicken flavored bouillon cube to 4 cups water and microwave for 3 minutes.
-
When rice is brown, add water, tomato sauce, salt, garlic, cumin and garlic pepper to pan.
-
Stir and cover pan. Let simmer for 30-40 minutes or until all is cooked and there is no liquid left. Fluff before serving and ENJOY.
As a super picky rice person, this was amazing. I took the suggestion and used the meat church smoked salsa recipe in place of tomato sauce. I love myself even more now.
我从来没想过有可能对我所以easily create restaurant quality spanish rice, but this recipe gives my family just that. Thank you for sharing this recipe. It has given me the confidence to try refried beans and salsa as well. Now my family likes my Mexican food more than the restaurants! This recipe is my go to recipe to accompany tacos or to put on nachos.
Great recipe! Turns out great every time. I added some onion powder , garlic powder, paprika and I bit of smoked paprika and put these in with the garlic for 30 seconds before adding the liquids. Very flavorful and great consistency.
Very simple recipe. My family enjoys this rice as is! After making a few times I now add chopped onion, peppers and garlic. Along with a can of pinto beans.
Thank you
What can I use beside Dash garlic pepper? Is that even a thing? I googled it and have only found Dash garlic and herbs but not garlic pepper.
You could use a different brand… McCormick or Lawry’s both have a garlic pepper. You could also just use regular pepper and a dash or garlic powder to taste.
我的家人非常喜欢这recipe! It goes with any Mexican main dish!
I followed this recipe and it always turns out mushy. I only cooked for 30 minutes. What am I doing wrong?
I’ve been making this recipe for over 2 years now and it is always a hit because the flavor and texture are perfect!
This Spanish rice is PERFECTION! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Yum! Just made it tonight for dinner.
I’m not going to lie, I was skeptical to try this recipe. I’m so dang picky with my Spanish rice. But I fell in love with this recipe, thank you so much for sharing
I used rotel instead of tomato sauce and added some fresh corn. it was so good!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing what you did!
I’ve never found a Spanish rice recipe I liked until this one…and it’s so simple! Tastes wonderful and will be my go to!
So happy to hear that! I’m glad you loved the rice!
Best ever. Tastes identical to my favorite mexican restaurant. It’s phenomenal every time. I always find myself looking it up when we are having mexican inspired cuisine.
Thank you!! So glad you love the rice!
Excellent recipe! I’ve been cooking for years and this by far the best Mexican rice recipe I’ve tried! Great job on the recipe!