🍚🧅 My homemade Spanish rice recipe, often interchangeably called Mexican rice, features fluffy rice mixed with bits of onions, red bell peppers, and jalapeños seasoned with garlic, cumin, and oregano for tons of great FLAVOR! Ready in 25 minutes and made in just one skillet with a handful of ingredients, it’s always a family favorite side dish! Serve it with your fave Mexican recipe, use it inside smothered beef burritos, or for any recipe that calls for seasoned rice.
The BEST Spanish Rice Recipe
This easy Spanish rice recipe is so easy to make in just one skillet, and it’s ready in about 25 minutes.
Soft and tender rice with bits of onions, red bell peppers, jalapenos, and seasoned with garlic, cumin, and oregano is always a family favorite.
Whether you want to serve this alongside a plate of 20-Minute Baked Cilantro and Lime Chicken, or with Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken, use it inside Smothered Beef Burritos, or as the rice component in Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowls, this seasoned Spanish (or Mexican) rice never goes out of style! Try it with Spanish Lemon Olive Chicken, too.
This is the absolute best Spanish rice. Will definitely be my go to when making Spanish rice.
Lisa
Ingredients and Notes
- Olive oil
- Veggies: Yellow onion, bell pepper (I use red, but pick your favorite color), jalapeño pepper, and garlic. Jalapeños aren’t very spicy, contrary to what some people think (although don’t confuse them with the more slender, dark green, serrano chile peppers, which are spicy), but if you’re concerned, use half of one jalapeno, or none, and use a bit of green bell pepper instead
- Rice: I recommend using long-grain rice, such as basmati rice. There are so many types of rice, but basmati rice is tried-and-true in this recipe. You can potentially use brown rice; however, you’ll need to increase the liquid volume by ~1/2 cup additional broth, and the simmering time will increase to about 45 minutes. However, this recipe was written with white rice in mind, so you’ll need to experiment if you want to use brown rice
- Seasonings: Cumin, dried oregano, and salt
- Tomato sauce
- Chicken broth: Use vegetable broth to keep vegetarian
Double the recipe
This recipe yields about 3 1/2 cups of cooked rice (the veggies help to bulk it up) but if you need more than that, feel free to double the recipe. Make sure your skillet is large enough, and if it is, the simmering time won’t likely increase – just double all the ingredients and make as written.
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How To Make The Best Spanish Rice
- In this recipe for Spanish rice, in a large skillet, simply sauté the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño in a skillet with a bit of olive oil for a few minutes until they’ve softened a bit.
- Add the garlic in the final minute.
- Add the rice, cumin, oregano, and salt, stir, and toast the rice for about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce and chicken broth, and bring to a rolling boil. Cover, and simmer covered for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice absorbs all the liquid and is done.
- Fluff the pot of rice with a fork before serving!
What to serve with Spanish rice
More Easy Rice Recipes:
Mexican Rice and Black Beans Medley — Hearty enough to be a meal or makes a FANTASTIC side dish with loads of textures in every bite! A super FLEXIBLE recipe that’s HEALTHY and makes a big batch for planned leftovers!
Very Veggie Rice and Beans — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and amps up rice and beans with an abundance of vegetables!! Healthy, Mexican-inspired food that tastes like comfort food and keeps you satisfied for hours!
Easy Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice – One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never want takeout again after tasting how good homemade is! Way more flavor, not greasy, and loads of juicy chicken!
15-Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fried Rice – Easy HEALTHIER “fried rice” that’s actually baked and not fried!! Full of authentic flavor and ready faster than you can call for takeout! Perfect for busy weeknights and a family FAVORITE!
Cauliflower Chicken Fried “Rice” — Even people who don’t like cauliflower will be amazed at how authentic and DELICIOUS this healthier version of chicken fried rice tastes!! Easy, ready in 15 minutes, and so much HEALTHIER than calling for takeout!
Easy Better-Than-Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice – One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never takeout again!! Homemade tastes WAY BETTER! Tons more flavor, not greasy, and loaded with tender shrimp!
Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice — 🍍🍤 🌺 A Hawaiian-inspired shrimp fried rice recipe that’s EASY, ready in minutes, and has so much authentic flavor! A family favorite that’s better than takeout!
Beef Fried Rice — This better-than-takeout beef fried rice is EASY, ready in 20 MINUTES, and made in ONE skillet! Everyone loves the big juicy strips of steak and perfectly fried rice that’s speckled with bits of onions, peas, carrots, and scrambled eggs. The combination of the soy sauces, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil make it taste so authentic!
Easy One-Skillet Sausage and Peppers with Rice – This easy one-skillet recipe combines Italian sausage and peppers with sweet Vidalia onions and rice to make a quick dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes! If you’re wondering what to make with Italian sausage tonight, make this!
This sounds great! I want to make this tonight. Question – what if I want to add a can of diced tomatoes instead of the tomato sauce?
You could do that although the rice will be drier and won’t likely be as orange or red-tinted.
This is the absolute best Spanish rice. Will definitely be my go to when making Spanish rice.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Lisa, and I’m glad this is your new go-to Spanish rice recipe!
Just made this as a fall back since I noticed we are out of the packaged Mexican Rice. My family loved it! Lots less salt. Did not add jalapeños and used a small fresh tomato. Will definitely make this again.
Thanks for the 5 star review, Kirk, and I’m glad this was a winner with your family and that you’ll make it again!