This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
this is absolutely my go-to recipe for Spanish rice! I’ve made it on numerous occasions, everybody loves it and wants the recipe. I’m making it today for a end of the year softball party where they are serving trip tip, Pico de gallo, etc. Thpught this would be a perfect side dish, and I tripled the recipe. I know it will be a hit! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad it’s a hit!! We make it every week because the whole family loves it. Thank you for stopping by and good luck at the Softball Party!! ;D
I have been using this Spanish Rice recipe for a few years. It is always a hit. I can’t tell you how much I love love love it! Thanks for sharing all of your great recipes and ideas!:)
Thanks for the sweet words, Katie! I’m not joking when I say I make it once a week. My kids LOVE it (and so do I!!) Hope you can continue to find great recipes here on the site. 😉
That looks de-lish and so easy. But tell me, does it come out dry, or moist and “clumpy?” I have the worst luck making Spanish rice.
Do you rinse your rice beforehand?????
I’ve never rinsed my rice beforehand, and the rice always comes out moist. 😉 We make it every week! Let me know how you end up liking it. 😉
How do you make rice more dry like in the restaurants? Mine always comes out sticky and wet. If I cook it longer, it burns. If I use less water, it’s undercooked and still wet.
Hi Krystin,
This looks so yummie and have been looking for a recipe like this. I’ve got one question though: how many ml are in the can of sauce. I am from The Netherlands and not sure are small jars of tomato sauce will be the same in quantity…
It’s 227 grams/ml. Hope that helps! 😀
I LOVE spanish rice! A doctor recently recommended that I go a a low sodium diet to hold off early meniers disease… anyway I was wondering if this would still turn out okay if I lessened or omitted the salt?
I think it would be okay. I would use less salt and maybe use half a bouillon cube with the water. 😉
I just want to say you and your mom are BEAUTIFUL. You don’t need to convince anyone of “what” you are, and your food is awesome! You are my go-to gal for Mexican recipes! 😉
SO glad you love our Mexican recipes… sometimes I feel like it’s the only thing I make because it’s what I’m most familiar with. I hope you can continue to find great recipes on the site. 😉
DO U HAVE A FRIED BEANS RECIPE. WOULD LOVE IT. IF U DO?
I made this with brown rice and didn’t change anything else in the recipe. It was delicious and the brown rice even had the texture of white rice. I have been looking for a Mexican rice recipe for a long time and now I have found a keeper. Thank you!
I’ve never tried brown rice before but should – sounds amazing! Thanks for the suggestion. 😉
I’ve always been intimidated by making Spanish rice but this recipe has given me so much confidence. Simple ingredients and easy to follow instructions. I fixed this rice with beef enchiladas and it was great! Simple and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I just love hearing that!! We make this recipe weekly and although there was a time I was intimidated by it, it’s so easy now. Glad it was a hit!
I made this twice this week. It is delicious and really easy to make.