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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 usually don’t leave reviews but this recipe is deliCious!!! I’m unable to get to the groCery store To get the knorr packets right now because of Covid-19 so i thought i would attempt making It from scratch. No more packets for us! This is so Much better!! ??
Love this! Thank you so much for saying that!
Such a yummy and easy side dish! Definitely recommend!
Yay…thank you for saying that!! Glad you liked it!
Delicious! My whole family agreed that this recipe is a keeper! Will definitely make again!
So happy it’s a keeper 🙂 Thank you so much for trying it!
Turned out really good. I aDDed extra salt.
That’s perfect! I am happy you liked it & tried it! Thank you!
The best and most authentic Tasting spanish/mexican rice Ever! The texture was perfect. I finally found my go to Rice recipe for PollO asado, carnitas, carne asada, Etc. Thank you!
Yes, it would be great in so many recipes. You are very welcome!
So easy and so yummy! I made it the first time and now Use this recipe wvery tIme! Reminds me of the rice my aunt made as a kid.
Glad you keep using this recipe!! Thank you so much!
Delicious and easy!
Thank you for saying that!
We loved this! So simple to make and so yummy! We do Mexican once a week at my housr so will definitely make this lots!
Yay!! That’s what I love to hear! Thank you so much for letting me know!
This Mexican Rice recipe is so easy and delicious! I was very intimidated by making mexican rice for the longest time beCause it looked so complicated and time consuming to make, but aLas Lil Luna to the rescue with a recipe that the whole family loves! This rice goes great as a side with lil Luna’s cHeese enchiladas with red sauce.
Awe, thanks! I was too, but it really is so easy!
i’d been searching for years for a great rice recipe to go with enChiladas or chili colorado. Stumbled upon this one and its ammmmmazing! So flavorful! We make it a ton, and i know the recipe by heart now. Funny thing is, now when we go out for mexi, their rice is so DISGUSTING and bland! Give It a try, yOu wont be disappointed! Now if you’ll excuse me im going to go eat my enchilada and rice leftovers!
Haha..love hearing that! Thank you so much for sharing that!
The ABSOLUTE best. So quick and easy. Grew up eating spanish rice just like this. DEFINITELY a must have for any mexican dinner.
Thank you!! Yes, it’s the perfect side for any Mexican dish!