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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. Ben Haney says:

    After frying the rice and adding the liquids, , don’t you have to bring it to a boil before putting on the top/lid?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, it needs to come to a boil, then reduce & simmer on low with the lid ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. Jodi says:

    5 stars
    Easy and delicious. Will definitely make this again (and again).

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Happy to hear that! Glad you liked it! Thank you so much!

  3. Gary Rickel says:

    5 stars
    EASY AND TASTY

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      SO happy you think that! Thank you!

  4. Natalie says:

    Can I add spices like chili flakes?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You sure could ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. RobNormand says:

    3 stars
    Flavor wise the recipe is really good, but I should have followed my gut with the cooking time. 30 minutes was WAy too long. My rice was half mush, but still tasted good. Will do it again but not cook as long.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Sorry it was mush, I keep mine on a very low simmer & it turns out great at 45 min. I stir maybe once. Thanks for trying!

  6. Tina Schnittger says:

    WhEn do we Add the cilantro stems? I assume itโ€™s When the the other ingredients are addeD. Do we take them out after the rice is cooked? Iโ€™m not sure if it is for flavor or for actual consumption.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      It’s just optional, if you’d like to sprinkle chopped cilantro on top.

  7. Lisa @BestNonToxicCookware says:

    5 stars
    Spanish Rice Recipe is great! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are welcome!! So glad your family liked it! Thank you!

  8. SUE B says:

    HAVEN’T TRIED IT YET BUT WILL THE NEXT TIME I MAKE THE AMAZING LIL’ LUNA RED CHEESE ENCHILADAS. JUST HAD TO ASK: AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES THE LITTLE FROZEN PEAS, CARROTS AND LIMA BEANS IN MEXICAN RESTAURANT RICE? SMILE…

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I hope you will try it! It’s my favorite. I am not usually a fan, but you can definitely add those ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Niki stuLl says:

    Do yoU rinse the uncooked rice before BrOwning in the pan?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      I do not, but you can if you want to. I would make sure it’s dry.

      1. Stephanie cefalu says:

        5 stars
        Love this recipe, I have made it quite a few TIMES, but now that I’m watching what I eat I was curious the serving size used for your nutrition facts. I know the recipe says it serves 8, but what is the actual serving SIZE?

      2. Kristyn Merkley says:

        About 1 cup ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad you like this recipe!

  10. Rosemary says:

    5 stars
    The best best rice!!! My famiky fave!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yay! Glad you think so! Thank you so much!