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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
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I was so skeptical of this recipe when i first saw it, but this rice came out so good. The only thing i did differently was rinse the rice before saute, i also cooked a little less rice and accidently added too much salt but it still came out perfect and fluffy. I cooked for the whole 40 minutes.
Glad to hear!! Thank you for sharing that 🙂
I have not made it beore but after looking at numerous recipes this looks the closest to what I am looking for. Not to hard but made from scratch.
Not hard at all 🙂 Hope you try it!
Hi! Would using chicken broth instead of the BOUILLON cube work? And if so, hOw much chicken broth would i need? Thank you.
Perfect! Just as good as i hoped and just like a restauRant.
Yay!! Thank you so much for saying that!
Could I just use low sodium chicken broth? I need to be careful of my sodium intake?
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
This is exactly the way my daughter-in-law’s mother makes it–she was born and raised in Mexico. It is the best! When you add tomato sauce, or salsa, to the rice, do you count that as part of the broth or in addition to the amount of broth?
In addition 🙂 I am so glad to hear that! Hope you like it!!
Hi Luna! Your Spanish (Mexican) rice sounds delicious. I have my own recipe, however, taught to me by my half Mexican, Executive Chef (always messing with stuff) departed husband. It is very much like yours, but he added chopped bacon and green peppers, sauteed with the rice. If we wanted it to be a little spicy hot we added a can of green chiles. I love Spanish rice and use it as a side dish with other things, sometimes, like fried chicken. HAPPY CINCO DE ‘MAYO TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! mARIE ps: bY THE WAY, i DON’T LIKE MY FOOD TO TASTE LIKE RESTAURANT STUFF…lol!
Sounds great!! It is always a side dish at our house, too! Thank you!
Delicious! Ive made this MULTIPLE Times and it always comes out delicious. I follow the recipe
To the T. I need to make this again soon!
Glad you like it 🙂 It is a staple around here! Thank you!
the spanish rice was soooo good i have kept it now for a family recsipe
I want to thank you for this recipe! I made a double batch to go with your creamy refrird beans and a taco bar. Everyone loved thE meal and especially the rice! So easy and delish! I have your website on my tablet homepage because Toy have so many great rEcipes and ideas! Thanks again! 🙂
You are so nice! Thank you for saying that! I am so glad you paired it with those other recipes!
Responding to my own comment as the prior comment had a few typos i could not fix. Anyway, sorry about That. 🙂