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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. mary anderson says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Easy to make and makes a ton!! Great for all ages!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, that’s why we love it! Glad you like it, too! Thank you!

  2. Natosha says:

    5 stars
    Super easy and soooooo yummy!!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So, glad you think so ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for sharing that!

  3. Sheri says:

    There are no measurements fOr the spanish rice!?!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      They are there, in the recipe card ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Cheryl says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I MADE mine in the instantpot with Half the liquid on the rice setting. Came out perfect!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      So, glad it came out perfectly & good to know about using the instant pot. I have yet to try!

  5. Trisha says:

    5 stars
    tHIS RECIPE IS AMAZING! It tastes delicious and is ridiculously easy. I can’t believe I waited this long to make mexican rice from scratch

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      It is super easy!! So glad you finally tried it & think that ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

  6. Fc says:

    Can you use 5 minute long grain rice?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I personally have not tried a quick rice, so I can’t say how it would turn out. I’ll have to experiment with other rices.

  7. Devyn says:

    5 stars
    Can you use brown rice or jasmine rice?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      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. I haven’t tried with jasmine. Hope you like it!

  8. Rena says:

    5 stars
    Since the pandemic began, it has been very difficult to Find some of our favorite items at the store, spanish rice being one of them. Just made yours and subbed medium chunky salsa for the tomato sauce. It was a huge hit with my picky boys (hubby included)! ThAnks for a great recipe i can now make myself instead of buying.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome! Adding salsa is a good idea! Happy your picky eaters liked it! Thank you!

  9. Jamie says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is fabulous, better than most restaurants

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, I am so glad you think so ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you for sharing that!

  10. Cole Beasley says:

    5 stars
    I always in awe of rice cooked in different types and colors and this recipe gave me chills and excitement. I thought Spanish dishes are a bit complicated but looking at these ingredients and the preparations, I can say that you cannot judge the book by its cover really. I might cook this more often now.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You sure can’t! This rice is easy & so good! Thank you so much!