Spanish Rice

This easy Spanish rice tastes just like the kind you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect side dish for tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats.

Course Side, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican, Spanish

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 175kcal

Author Kylee Ayotte

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup long grain white rice
½ cup onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 ½ cups chicken broth
8 oz tomato sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon pepper

Optional:

chopped cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Get prepped: Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out the broth, tomato sauce, and spices.
Toast the rice: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 cup long grain white rice and stir often until it starts to brown lightly and smells toasty - about 5 minutes.
2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup long grain white rice
Cook the onion and garlic: Add chopped ½ cup onion and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the 2 garlic cloves (minced) and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
½ cup onion, 2 garlic cloves
Add liquid and simmer: Pour in the 1 ½ cups chicken broth and 8 oz tomato sauce. Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine.
1 ½ cups chicken broth, 8 oz tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
Simmer and steam: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat and let sit (covered) for 5 minutes.
Fluff and serve: Fluff with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges if you like.
chopped cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Notes

Toast the rice until golden - this adds so much flavor.
Use a tight-fitting lid to keep in the steam.
Let the rice rest after cooking to finish steaming.
Adjust salt after cooking - broth can vary in saltiness.
Double the batch for meal prep or large gatherings.

Nutrition