Get ready to bring a touch of Mexican flair to your dining table with our quick and easy Spanish Rice recipe. This dish is more than just a delight for your palate; it's a colorful addition that can elevate any meal. Renowned for its fluffy texture and rich, aromatic flavors, Spanish Rice is the perfect companion for a variety of dishes, from chicken and fish to a selection of vegetables.
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Its quick 30-minute preparation time is ideal for busy evenings, yet it's still impressive enough for special occasions. Highly customizable to suit diverse tastes, whether it's served as a filling in burritos, a side with chicken fajitas, or as a standalone dish, this Spanish Rice is your gateway to an authentic Mexican culinary experience.
Join us as we uncover the secrets to achieving that restaurant-style excellence in your own kitchen!
Explore More Popular Mexican Dishes:
- Vegetarian Chili
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Taco Salad
- Corn Salad
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Hibiscus Tea (Agua De Jamaica)
- Aguas Fresca
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Spanish Rice, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of the ingredients. All you need are a few everyday items, readily available in most grocery stores. Let's take a look at what you'll need
- Long Grain Rice: Opt for basmati for its fragrant allure, or any long grain rice for its ability to stay fluffy and separate, providing the perfect texture for your Spanish Rice.
- Onion and Garlic: These foundational ingredients are key for building layers of savory flavor, adding depth and richness to the rice.
- Tomatoes: Whether fresh for a zesty tang or canned for convenience, tomatoes infuse the dish with a bright, acidic note, balancing the spices beautifully.
- Spices (Annatto, Cumin, Turmeric Powder): This trio of spices is crucial for authentic Mexican flair. Annatto offers a mild, earthy essence, cumin brings a warm, aromatic depth, and turmeric lends its vibrant color and subtle bitterness.
- Serrano Pepper: Adding this towards the end enhances the dish with a fresh, spicy kick, elevating the overall flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients.
How to Make Spanish (Mexican) Rice at Home?
Begin your culinary adventure with our detailed photos and video guide for Spanish Rice. These visual aids are designed to help you effortlessly recreate this flavorful dish in your kitchen.
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Spanish Rice (Mexican Rice)
Ingredients
For Seasoning Paste
- 1 Onion, small
- 3 Garlic
- 1 Tomato
- 1 tsp Annatto Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- ½ cup Water
For Spanish Rice
- 1 cup Rice
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 2 Serrano Pepper, sliced
- Salt, as needed
- 1½ cups Water
Instructions
To Prepare the Seasoning Paste
- In a blender, combine the onion, garlic, tomato, anote, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and water.
- Blend all the ingredients together until they form a smooth puree. Once blended, remove from the blender and set aside for later use.
To Prepare Mexican Rice (Spanish Rice)
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and add the rice. Stir continuously until the rice becomes aromatic and turns a pale, light yellow color.
- Pour in the prepared tomato seasoning mix and stir well to combine.
- Add water and salt, mixing thoroughly.
- Let the rice cook until it's about 70% done.
- Add the serrano peppers and stir them into the rice.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for 15 minutes on low heat.
- After 15 minutes, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Your delicious Mexican Rice is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
To Serve
- Enjoy this delectable Mexican or Spanish Rice alongside your preferred side dish for a fulfilling lunch or dinner. Explore our serving suggestions section for additional pairing options.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Tips for Perfect Spanish Rice:
- Taste and Flavor: Use annatto and cumin powder for their unique contributions; annatto for its slightly peppery, nutty flavor, and cumin for its warm, earthy aroma. These spices are crucial for capturing the essence of Mexican cuisine.
- Extra Flavor: Switching to chicken broth instead of water enhances the rice with a rich, savory depth. It's a simple swap that makes a significant difference in the overall taste.
- Rice Selection: Choose long grain rice, like Basmati or Jasmine, for their ability to cook up fluffy and less sticky. This ensures each grain remains distinct and absorbs the flavors well.
- Fluffy Rice: Lightly roasting the rice in a bit of oil before adding liquid helps each grain to develop a slightly nutty flavor and ensures a fluffy, non-sticky texture upon cooking.
- Rich Color: Adding tomato paste or tomato bouillon not only provides a vibrant red color but also deepens the tomato flavor, giving the rice a more robust and appealing appearance.
- Spice Level: Serrano peppers bring a bright, fresh heat. You can adjust the quantity or even remove the seeds to control the spiciness, catering to different heat preferences.
- Additional Toppings: Toppings like fresh onions, cilantro, and tomatoes add a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors. Creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, or melted cheese can elevate the dish with added textures and flavors.
- Vegan-Friendly & Customizable: The base recipe is vegan, making it versatile for various dietary preferences. It's easy to add in proteins like tofu, tempeh, or your favorite vegetables to diversify the dish.
Variations:
- Alternative Grains: Experimenting with brown rice, quinoa, or couscous offers not only a change in flavor and texture but also nutritional benefits.
- With Chicken: Incorporating chicken, either roasted or shredded, adds a protein boost and makes the dish more substantial.
- Beans Addition: Beans, like black or pinto, can be added for extra protein and fiber, giving the dish a heartier feel typical of restaurant-style Spanish Rice.
Cooking Tips:
- Rinse Rice: Rinsing rice removes excess starch, preventing clumping and resulting in grains that are more distinct.
- Resting Time: Allowing the rice to rest after cooking lets the grains absorb any remaining steam and settle, which helps in enhancing the flavors and texture.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley at the end introduces a burst of freshness, brightening the dish.
- Using Leftovers: Leftover rice can be creatively used in other dishes like stuffed peppers, omelets, or as a base for a cold rice salad.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Dive into a world of flavor with our curated collection of Mexican and rice dishes. From the heart of Mexico to the finest rice creations globally, each recipe is a celebration of vibrant spices and rich traditions.
Serving Suggestions
Enhance your Spanish Rice with these perfect pairings. Each suggestion is tailored to complement the flavors, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal experience.
- Grilled Chicken or Steak: The smoky flavors of grilled meats complement the spices in Spanish Rice, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
- Shrimp: Seafood, especially when lightly seasoned and grilled or sautéed, pairs wonderfully with the rice, offering a lighter but equally flavorful option.
- Vegetarian Fajitas: Combine Spanish Rice with grilled vegetables wrapped in soft tortillas for a delightful vegetarian meal.
- Tacos or Burritos: Use the rice as a hearty filling in tacos such as chicken tacos or burritos, adding depth and texture to these popular Mexican dishes.
- Enchiladas: Serve Spanish Rice as a side with enchiladas, allowing the flavors to mingle for a truly authentic Mexican dining experience.
- Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with Spanish Rice and bake, topped with cheese, for a wholesome and visually appealing dish.
- Salads: Add a scoop of Spanish Rice to a leafy green salad for a touch of warmth and spice.
- Beans: Pair with black or pinto beans for a simple, protein-rich meal that's both filling and nutritious.
- Guacamole and Salsa: Serve with a side of guacamole and salsa to add creamy and tangy elements that enhance the rice's flavor.
- Cheese and Sour Cream: Top the rice with cheese and a dollop of sour cream for added richness and a creamy texture.
Storage Suggestions
Enjoying Spanish Rice fresh is ideal, but it’s also well-suited for storing, both in the refrigerator and freezer, ensuring you can savor it later. Here's how to do it:
- Refrigeration: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, the rice will stay fresh and flavorful for 3 to 5 days.
- Freezing for Longer Storage: For longer storage, Spanish Rice can be frozen. Place the cooled rice in individual freezer-friendly bags. This method not only saves space but also makes portioning easier. The rice can be kept frozen for up to 3 to 4 months without losing its quality.
- Thawing and Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen Spanish Rice, thaw it in the refrigerator first. Then, reheat it until it's hot throughout. You can add a little water or broth when reheating to restore moisture and prevent the rice from drying out.
Spanish Rice in Rice Cooker
Preparing Spanish Rice in a rice cooker is not only incredibly convenient but also saves time. Let's walk through the steps for this efficient cooking method.
- Washing and Rinsing: Thoroughly wash and rinse the rice under water before roasting. This helps in removing excess starch.
- Roasting in Oil: After rinsing, lightly roast the rice in a bit of oil. This enhances the texture and flavor of the grains.
- Combining Ingredients: In the rice cooker, combine the roasted rice with your seasoning mix, a pinch of salt, and the appropriate amount of water.
- Cooking Settings: If your rice cooker has specific settings, like one for white rice, use that for best results.
- Letting it Rest: Once the rice cooker indicates it's done, let the rice rest inside for about 5 minutes. This helps the flavors to meld and the rice to firm up.
- Fluffing and Serving: Open the lid, gently fluff the rice with a fork, and it’s ready to be served. Add your favorite toppings to enhance the dish.
Spanish Rice in Instant Pot
Making Spanish Rice in an Instant Pot simplifies the process even more than a rice cooker. You can prepare everything in one pot in less than 15 minutes. Here’s how:
- Saute the Rice: Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Roast the rice in oil until it becomes fragrant. This step adds a nutty flavor to the rice.
- Spice Mix: Add your seasoning blend to the sautéed rice and stir briefly to combine the flavors.
- Secure the Lid: Turn off the Instant Pot, then secure and seal the lid in preparation for pressure cooking.
- Cook the Rice: Switch the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode. Cook the rice on high pressure for 3 to 4 minutes. This quick cooking time is perfect for retaining the rice's texture.
- Release the Pressure: After the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. This gradual release helps in cooking the rice evenly.
- Fluff and Serve: Finally, gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve it hot. Enjoy your flavorful and perfectly cooked Spanish Rice right out of the Instant Pot.
Cynthia Thomas
Step 1 for the seasoning paste including the addition of water. Step 3 of the rice instructions calls for the addition of water. The ingredients list has water listed once. Are there 2 additions of water? Please clarify.
Sangeetha Vel
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for checking and pointing this out. Yes, we need to add ½ cup for seasoning paste and 1½ cup to cook the rice. I will update the ingredients section accordingly. The video has it mentioned though.