Go Back
A bowl of fluffy Spanish Rice garnished with fresh herbs and a lime wedge, served with a spoon.
Daniel

Spanish Rice

Fluffy rice simmered in a rich tomato broth with warm spices - the perfect side for tacos, enchiladas, or any Mexican-inspired meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 210

Ingredients
  

Rice
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice uncooked, rinsed well
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Aromatics & Vegetables
  • 0.5 cup yellow onion finely diced, about 1 small
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 oz tomato sauce 1 can
  • 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 can, undrained (Rotel style)
Seasonings & Liquid
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 0.25 tsp dried oregano
For Finishing
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, optional
  • 0.5 lime cut into wedges, for serving

Equipment

  • Large Skillet with Lid
  • Fine-mesh strainer

Method
 

Prep
  1. Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until water runs mostly clear, about 1 minute. Shake well to drain - this removes excess starch so the grains stay separate.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add rinsed rice and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are lightly golden and smell nutty, 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let them brown deeply.
  3. Push rice to edges of pan, add onion to center, and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juices, broth, salt, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Stir well to combine, scraping any toasted bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Bring to a full boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Rice is done when liquid is absorbed and small steam holes appear on the surface.
  6. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff gently with a fork, and fold in cilantro if using. Serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Rinsing the rice is non-negotiable for fluffy, separate grains - skip it and you'll have gummy rice. For extra depth, substitute 1/2 cup of the broth with beer or use fire-roasted diced tomatoes. This reheats beautifully: add a splash of water, cover, and warm in the microwave or stovetop.