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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-to side dish when serving Mexican food! Not only is it simple and takes under 10 minutes to prep, but it’s perfect served with our tacos and enchiladas!
Easy Mexican Rice
I LOVE Spanish Rice (aka MexicanRice)! As previously mentioned, I’m 1/2 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 with empanadas, enchiladas and tacos). 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 1/8 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 1/4 cup uncooked rice per person. Once the rice is cooked it will end up being about 3/4 – 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 bowl microwave 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
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cube chicken-flavored bouillon
- 4 cups water (or 4 cups chicken lower sodium chicken broth - and no bouillon)
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- dash garlic pepper
Topping
- chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add rice and cook, stirring until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Combine bouillon and water in a microwave-safe container and microwave for 3 minutes.
- When rice is brown, add bouillon mixture, tomato sauce, salt, garlic, cumin and garlic pepper to the pan.
- Stir and cover the pan. Let simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until all is cooked and there is no liquid left. Fluff before serving and top with cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is the best Spanish Rice recipe ever. It’s a keeper!
How would you adapt if you don’t have a microwave? Thank you 😊🙏
You can heat the water and bouillon together in a small saucepan until the bouillon dissolves, then use it as directed. You can also warm up an equal amount of chicken broth instead if you prefer not to use water and bouillon.
Thank you 🙏😊
This is my go-to Spanish rice recipe. I do use butter instead of oil but it always turns out wonderful!
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe and that it turns out well every time!
Very unhappy, was not clear from beginning that it’s supposed to start with 2 cups uncooked rice instead of 2 cup cooked. Also there’s no such thing as a ‘garlic pepper’ those are 2 Seperate plants/ingredients very vague and confusing recipe, I shouldn’t have to guess what that even means but looks like a type for powder*. Had to try to save what I started and modify. Wasn’t planning on having so much as well.
I’m sorry this was frustrating, and I really appreciate your feedback. Lawry’s and McCormick are both popular brands that make a “garlic pepper” seasoning. A dash is roughly 1/8 teaspoon and is meant to add a subtle note of flavor, so you can easily substitute a little garlic salt and black pepper without the recipe suffering. In most recipes, rice is assumed to be uncooked unless the ingredient list specifically says cooked rice, leftover rice, or prepared rice. I hope you were still able to enjoy the final result, and thankfully the rice freezes and reheats well, so the extras can be enjoyed later too.
Hi,
I am reposting a question that has not been answered yet as I want to double the recipes and the water/broth does not appear to double.
“Charlene Solomon
August 7, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Why doesn’t the amount of chicken broth increase if you double the recipe?”
Thanks so much as I want to make it today and double the recipe.
Thanks for checking! When you select the 2x button, you should notice that the ingredient amounts will double, including the water and bouillon cubes. However, the broth information is included as a note rather than an ingredient. The web site system is currently unable to automatically update tips/notes when the recipe is doubled. If the recipe calls for 4 cups of water & bouillon or 4 cups of broth, then when doubled you will need 8 cups of water & bouillon or 8 cups of broth.