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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!

Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice) on plate

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 isย 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,ย then you’ll love this recipe. It really is simple, delicious and the perfect side to any Mexican dish!

How to Make Spanish Rice - browned rice

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 sautรฉ 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.ย It gets fluffy and does not get sticky like some of the short-grained rices.

Can Spanish rice be made with brown rice?ย Brown rice can definitely be used in place of white rice. Just add โ…“ 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?ย 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?ย You can add what you love most, but we often add chopped peppers, chopped cilantro, onions or even green onions.

Making Mexican Rice - rice, broth, tomato sauce and seasonings in a skilletOnce 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?ย 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?ย 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:

Mexican Rice Recipe on plate

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?

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4.99 from 5751 votes

Spanish Rice Recipe

By: Lil' Luna
Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups long grain rice
  • 1/8 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 6 stems cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 4 cups water (or 4 cups chicken lower sodium chicken broth - and no bouillon)
  • 1 cube chicken flavored bouillon
  • dash cumin
  • dash garlic 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.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 447mg, Potassium: 108mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 173IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

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4.99 from 5751 votes (4,816 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




2,275 Comments

  1. Colleen says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe so easy. Will be bookmarking it and adding it to my portion foods on empicslim.com so I can stay keep my weight loss journey ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Misty Wells says:

    On step 3…..MICROWAVE WHAT?

    1. Misty Wells says:

      This recipe has me adding the water in 2 steps…..both 3 and 4 tell me to add water.

      1. Kristen says:

        Step 3 is adding boullion to water and microwaving them. Step 4 is taking the water you just microwaved and adding it to the rice.

      2. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Yes, step three you are dissolving the bullion in water and then step four you are adding the water to the rice. You can also use chicken broth in place of the water.

  3. Chelsea says:

    Can I use brown rice? Bay changes to recipe if so?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I would recommend white rice. But you can use brown. Typically brown rice will require a longer cooking time. So you will want to increase that a bit and keep an eye on the rice so it doesn’t burn.

  4. Emma says:

    5 stars
    Love it! Easy and delicious recipe, great side for flautas.

  5. Michelle says:

    5 stars
    Hi Kristyn ~ Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe, itโ€™s my familyโ€™s favorite. Iโ€™ve been making your version of Spanish rice for years. When I donโ€™t have tomato sauce on hand I use salsa or diced tomatoes instead. I always double the recipe for 6-8 of us. Blessings to you and your beautiful family.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear this rice recipe is a family favorite!!

  6. Cathy says:

    Not bad, but my family likes the other recipie I make better. Threw leftovers out

    1. Shannon Hopkins says:

      There’s no reason to be rude Cathy. A little courtesy goes a long way.

    2. Lil'Luna Team says:

      I’m glad your family has found a recipe they love! Thanks for giving this one a try.

  7. richard a winkler says:

    5 stars
    I love this rice.

  8. C.M. says:

    All these pop up ads on recipe sites is beyond annoying!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, we understand. However, the ads do allow us to be able to provide and share free recipes and content for our readers! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Donna Comstock says:

    This is my go to recipe, while browning the rice I add 1/2 cup of diced onions and some garlic, I always use chunky salsa. Everyone always says โ€œwhy is your rice always so good โ€œ
    Thank you

    1. Keni Buchholz says:

      Do you use chunky Salsa as a substitute to the tomato sauce? Or do you use it in addition to the original recipe?
      Thank you, I’m excited to this!

  10. Donna Comstock says:

    Would it be okay to double this recipe?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, absolutely!