Easy Spanish Rice Recipe for Authentic Flavors

Name: Easy Spanish Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup onion ((chopped finely) ); 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cups chunky salsa; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1 tsp cumin

Spanish Rice Recipe is an easy and budget-friendly side dish that pairs perfectly with your favorite Mexican Food. Made with simple pantry ingredients like rice, salsa, and chicken broth, this homemade version is full of flavor and much better than boxed mixes.

Spanish Rice in a bowl with a wooden spoon

This Spanish rice recipe is one of my favorite side dishes to make because it’s so simple and uses ingredients I usually already have on hand. It pairs perfectly with many Main Dish Recipes and my family always loves it. I also like to make a double batch and freeze some for later because it makes busy weeknight dinners so much easier.

The entire family will love this easy Mexican rice dish and it is one of our favorite Mexican Side dishes. You may even like this Yellow Rice or Mexican Rice Recipe.

Why We Love Spanish Rice Recipe

Budget-friendly side dish – Rice is inexpensive and feeds the whole family.
Simple pantry ingredients – Made with rice, salsa, broth, and a few spices.
Better than boxed rice mixes – Homemade rice has fresher flavor and fewer additives.
Perfect for meal prep – This rice freezes well for easy future meals.
Great with Mexican dinners – Serve with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or fajitas.

Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Feel free to use other types of oil
Onion – Chop onions with a vegetable chopper
Uncooked White Rice – Long grain rice works best because it stays fluffy and doesn’t become sticky.
Chicken Broth – Using broth instead of water gives the rice richer flavor. See Chicken broth substitutes if you are out
Chunky Salsa – Picante Salsa is a great option but you can also use Homemade Salsa Recipe. Salsa adds tomato flavor, seasoning, and a little texture, making this recipe quick and flavorful.
Garlic Salt – See The Best Garlic Salt Substitute if you are out
Cumin – Check out Best Substitute for Cumin

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Spanish Rice

Cooking chopped onions in a skillet with melted butter

Step 1 – Cook Onion in large skillet – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until tender, about 5 minutes.

White rice in a skillet with cooked chopped onions

Step 2 – Add Rice – Add 1½ cups uncooked rice to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice begins to lightly brown.

Broth and seasoning mixed with the rice in a skillet with a wooden spatula

Step 3 – Stir in broth, salsa, and seasoning – When rice begins to brown, stir in 2 cups of chicken broth, salsa, garlic salt and cumin.

Cooked Spanish Rice in a skillet with a wooden spoon

Step 4 – Bring to Boil – Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Tips for Spanish Rice

Freeze Onions – If you have ever wondered Can you freeze onions, the answer is yes! I chop onions in bulk and freeze them. It’s so nice to just grab what you need from the freezer for recipes.
Cook Onion – We recommend cooking the onion before adding in the rice. This helps to give the rice flavor but having the onions cooked.
Stirring Rice – When you add in the rice with the cooked onion, continue to stir the rice on the skillet. This adds flavor and keeps the rice from burning.
Adding in Liquid – After adding in the broth, salsa, and seasoning allow the mixture to come to a boil. Then cover and allow the rice absorb the liquid. I like to stir occasionally to make sure everything cooks evenly.
Measuring Ingredients – For the perfectly cooked Spanish Rice keep the amount of liquid and salsa measurements the same. This keeps the flavored balance and cooks the rice perfectly

Variation Ideas

Add in Ingredients – For a change, try adding diced tomatoes, black bean and a little chili powder to this rice recipe.
Tomato Sauce – You can use tomato sauce or tomato paste instead of salsa. We have even added a ½ cup of tomato sauce and it was delicious. Spanish rice with tomato sauce is amazing!
Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes work great instead of the salsa as well. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, garlic and cumin after the rice has browned.
Ground Beef – Make a meal out of it and try Spanish rice with ground beef. It’s a great way to stretch your meat.
Garlic – You can use minced garlic instead of garlic salt. Sauté the onion, garlic and rice in the olive oil then mix in the other ingredients. We have even added in green bell pepper and oregano for added flavor and texture.
Chicken Broth – Feel free to use chicken stock instead of chicken broth if you prefer. You can also use chicken bouillon for delicious flavor.
Black Beans – mix in black beans in with the spanish rice. I normally used canned black beans that has been drained and rinsed.

Spanish Rice in a large skillet with a wooden spoon

What is the Difference between Mexican Rice and Spanish Rice?

Mexican rice and Spanish rice are very similar dishes made with rice, tomatoes, and seasonings. Spanish rice is often slightly firmer and may include additional spices, while Mexican rice typically has a softer texture and tomato flavor. Both are delicious side dishes for Mexican-inspired meals.

Spanish Rice Toppings

Here are a few things that I love topping this Spanish rice with:

More Salsa
Green Onions
Fresh Cilantro
Diced Avocado
Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
Pico de Gallo

What to Serve with Spanish Rice

This is the perfect side dish for your favorite Mexican meals. Here are a few of our favorites that we love serving with this rice.

Spanish Rice in a bowl with a serving on a wooden spoon

Storage

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container. As long as the rice is stored correctly, it should last up to 5-6 days in the refrigerator.

Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top for a few minutes and then the rice is ready to enjoy.

I really like to meal prep for the week. It saves me so much time and money. This Spanish rice is perfect make ahead of time. My husband and I prepare our individual containers and fill each one up with Spanish rice, a protein and a vegetable.

Can you Freeze this Spanish Rice?

Yes! Spanish rice freezes very well and is great for meal prep.

Allow the rice to cool completely.
Store in freezer-safe bags or containers.
Freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place frozen rice in a microwave-safe bowl with ¼ cup water, cover, and heat for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of rice works best?

Long grain white rice works best because it cooks fluffy and holds its shape.

Can You Use Brown Rice?

Yes, you can use brown rice in this recipe. You will need to increase the chicken broth amount by ½ cup as brown rice soaks up more liquid when it’s cooking.

How Much Rice to Make Per Person?

Generally, I plan approximately 1/4-⅓ cup uncooked rice per person. This amount will generally cook to be approximately 3/4-1 cup of cooked rice.
This recipe serves 6 people.

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