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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?

4.99 from 5759 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!

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4.99 from 5759 votes (4,816 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




2,297 Comments

  1. AubreY says:

    5 stars
    Iโ€™ve made it for company twice and tonight for steak bowls. This time i used a can of diced tomatoeS. Love thIs recipe! EaSy and deliciOus!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Great idea for bowls! Thank you for sharing that! Glad you like it!

  2. Christina says:

    5 stars
    Can you swap out stock for the water/boullion?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, for sure!! Enjoy!!

  3. Vaness says:

    5 stars
    Best ever

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, thank you so much for letting me know!

  4. Kim says:

    5 stars
    We love this rice! I make it at least once a week, it’s our GO to side for every Mexican dish.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Ours too!! So happy you like it! Thank you!

  5. Melissa D. In TX says:

    5 stars
    This is our “Go To” Spanish/Mexican rice recipe now. We usually make it as is but sometimes add a SAUTEED cajun mirepoix (Celery, onion & Green pepper) to the rice. Love it!!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Great idea!! Thank you for letting me know ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Christy jones says:

    5 stars
    The flavor was great! Made it for my first time, the Recipe was super easy to follow and lasted for 2 meals!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am glad you tried it & even happier you liked it! Thank you!

    2. Brandi says:

      This is the exact flavor i was looking for in spanish rice. I have tried tons of spanish rice Recipes that did not work out. This one is great, only problem is my rice came out crunchy, not fluffy. What did i do wRong?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad you liked the flavor. How long did you cook it for? My only guess, is that it wasn’t cooked long enough.

      2. Brandi says:

        5 stars
        I cooked for a little over 30 minutes. I was worried if i cooked it toO long it would dry out. Rice and i have a love hate relationship. Lol. Its hit or miss somEtimes. I will try to Extend the cooking time next go round.

      3. Kristyn Merkley says:

        It takes about 45 minutes for the perfect rice ๐Ÿ˜‰ I did, too for the longest time. Keep trying ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Juliann crane says:

    5 stars
    The beSt …….and such an easy recipe to make!!! My son in law Is from mexico city and he LOVES IT !! Ps i have made it many times but changed it up just for a little more Flavor and makes it supper moist !! I add 3 cups of chicken broth (stock) and 1 cup water and i do not add the Boullian cube when making it this way,but my way Or Her way is both excellent!!!????

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay!! Glad you both like it! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Carissa says:

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make! I had all the ingredients in my Pantry and the flavor was so good. Seriously like from a restaurant! Definitely keeping it in our rOtation.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, I am glad you think so ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you so much!

  9. Heather Talley says:

    5 stars
    Hands down this is my family’s favorite Spanish rice recipe! I’ve tried several and this beats all of them, added bonus that it’s also the easiest to make. 10/10!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Woohoo!! Thank you for saying that! I am so glad you like it!

  10. Dawn says:

    5 stars
    The best (and easiest) mexican rice ever! I make it often and will never stay from this recipe!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I am glad you like it ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for letting me know!