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    Home » Sides » Rice

    Spanish Rice Recipe

    By Jill Baird · Published July 1, 2023 · 8 Comments

    Mexican rice with salsa or Spanish Rice recipe in a bowl, an easy rice recipe, spanish rice recipe salsa

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    This Spanish Rice recipe is quick, easy, and tastes just like it came from your favorite restaurant.  It's a Mexican Rice Recipe that is perfectly fluffy, uses just a few simple ingredients, and is jam-packed with so much flavor.

    Jump to:
    • Spanish Rice Video Tutorial
    • Easy Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice Recipe
    • Homemade Spanish Rice with Salsa
    • What To Serve With Homemade Spanish Rice
    • Ingredients in Spanish Rice with Salsa
    • How To Make Spanish Rice On the Stovetop
    • Instructions for Best Spanish Rice Recipe in Instant Pot
    • Recipe Variations for Spanish Rice Recipe
    • Spanish Rice Recipe

    Spanish Rice Video Tutorial

    Easy Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice Recipe

    Whether you call it Spanish Rice or Mexican Rice, it is essentially a rice pilaf with Mexican flavors.  It’s a common side dish in northern Mexico and the Southwest United States and isn’t actually made in Spain at all!  The rumor is that when the Spanish invaded Mexico, they brought with them rice, which is not native to Mexico.

    This not-so-authentic Spanish Rice Recipe is incredibly simple to make and is one of my family’s favorite things to order at a Mexican restaurant.  This recipe tastes just like it came from your favorite restaurant.  There is so much flavor in every single bite of this Spanish white rice, and the texture is spot on too.

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    Homemade Spanish Rice with Salsa

    Some recipes for Spanish Rice call for using tomato sauce or tomato broth, but we prefer to use salsa.  It adds a bit more flavor, and you can increase the heat very easily by choosing a hot or medium variety.

    What To Serve With Homemade Spanish Rice

    This side dish goes great with any of your favorite Mexican dishes, such as:

    • Copycat Chipotle Carne Asada
    • Copycat Chipotle Burritos
    • Beef Fajitas
    • Shredded Beef Tacos 
    • Chipotle Chicken Copycat
    • Chipotle Black Beans

    But don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to just Mexican flavors because this is also the perfect side dish to serve with a wide variety of entrees:

    • Easy Crockpot Ranch Chicken
    • Pesto and Sausage Homemade Flatbread
    • Southwest Grilled Chicken Breast
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    Ingredients in Spanish Rice with Salsa

    • Oil - you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or really any cooking oil that you have on hand.
    • Onion - a yellow or white onion is most common, but you could use a red onion if you’d like.
    • Rice - we recommend plain long grain white rice for this particular recipe.
    • Salt - we like to use sea salt for seasoning.  
    • Chicken Broth - chicken broth adds a great flavor, but you can also substitute vegetable broth if you want to make this vegetarian.
    • Salsa - use your favorite brand, and level of spice.
    • Lime - you can cut this into wedges to squeeze over the rice just before serving.  Either give one per person, or else arrange the sliced limes wedges in a bowl on the side.
    • Optional Seasoning Ideas: garlic powder, chili powder and/or cumin would all taste great.

    How To Make Spanish Rice On the Stovetop

    1. Add the oil and rice in a large frying pan on medium heat.  Stirring occasionally, cook the rice until golden brown, or about 3-5 minutes.
    2. Add the diced onion and salt and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
    3. Add the chicken broth and salsa and stir.  Bring the mixture up to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to low.  Keep the rice at a low simmer for 20 minutes, without removing the lid if possible.  
    4. After 20 minutes, lift the lid and check your rice but do not stir.  You may need to cook for up to 5 more minutes, or until all of the liquid has absorbed and the rice is cooked.
    5. Once cooked completely, turn the heat off and let it sit for 10 minutes, then lightly fluff rice with a fork and squeeze the fresh lime juice on the rice before serving.  Enjoy!

    Instructions for Best Spanish Rice Recipe in Instant Pot

    1. Set your Instant Pot on “Saute” and add in your oil and rice and cook for about 3 minutes, or just until the rice begins to brown.
    2. Add in your onion and salt, and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they have begun to soften.
    3. Add your broth and salsa and put on the lid.  Switch to “Seal” and choose “Manual.”  Cook on High for 3 minutes.
    4. Allow it to do a “Natural Release” which will take about 15 minutes.
    5. Once the pressure has released, carefully remove the lid and fluff with a fork.  Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.  Enjoy!
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    What’s the Best Rice To Use For White Spanish Rice Recipe?

    We prefer any long-grain white rice for this recipe because it says nice and fluffy after it’s cooked.  Instant rice and short-grained rices get sticky, and for this dish you want each grain to be separate.

    You can substitute brown rice if you’d like, but you’ll need to adjust your cooking time, as well as increase the amount of broth that you use.  Check the package to see their recommended rice to liquid ratio.

    What Can I Add To the Cooked Rice?

    Really, whatever you love most!  Some ideas are sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, green peas, diced peppers or diced tomatoes.

    Recipe Variations for Spanish Rice Recipe

    • Vegetable Spanish Rice: Add a variety of diced vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and onions to your salsa rice for an extra boost of nutrients and flavor.
    • Add leftovers to some bell peppers for a fun Stuffed Pepper Recipe.
    • Spicy Spanish Rice: Add some heat to your Spanish rice ingredients by mixing in some diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes.
    • Tomato Spanish Rice: Replace some of the water in your recipe with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes for a tangy twist on the classic Mexican rice, restaurant style.
    • Seafood Spanish Rice: Mix in some shrimp or other seafood to your rice for a deliciously savory and protein-packed meal.
    • Mexican-inspired Spanish Rice: Add some black beans, corn, and cilantro to your rice for an easy recipe for Spanish rice, a Mexican-inspired twist on this classic dish.
    • One-Pot Spanish Rice: Make your life easier by cooking your rice and protein (chicken, beef, or sausage) together in one pot for a hassle-free meal. Or just add in some rotisserie chicken or leftover taco meat.
    • Leftover Spanish Rice: Don't let your leftover rice go to waste! Mix it with some scrambled eggs, cheese, and avocado for a delicious breakfast burrito filling.
    • Cheesy Spanish Rice: Mix in some shredded cheese to your cooked rice for a gooey and delicious twist on this classic dish.

    These are just a few ideas to get you started, but don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find the perfect recipe variation for you. With a little bit of imagination, you can turn a simple and traditional dish into a culinary masterpiece that your whole family will love.

    Mexican rice or Spanish Rice recipe in a bowl, an easy rice recipe
    Print

    Spanish Rice Recipe

    This Spanish Rice recipe is quick, easy and has so much flavor packed into every single bite.  It's perfectly fluffy, uses just a few simple ingredients and tastes just like it came from your favorite restaurant.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Spanish
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Resting Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 218kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil can substitute any cooking oil
    • 2 cups Long Grain White Rice
    • ½ small Yellow Onion or ¼ cup diced, can substitute white
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 3 cups Chicken Broth can substitute vegetable broth
    • 1 cup Salsa your favorite brand
    • 1 large Lime cut into segments

    Instructions

    • In a large frying pan on medium heat, add the oil and the rice. Stirring occasionally, cook the rice until golden brown, or about 3-5 minutes.
    • Add the diced onion and salt and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add the chicken broth and salsa and stir. Bring the mixture up to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Keep the rice at a low simmer for 20 minutes, without removing the lid if possible. After 20 minutes, lift the lid and check your rice but do not stir. You may need to cook for up to 5 more minutes, or until all of the liquid has absorbed and the rice is cooked.
    • Once cooked completely, turn the heat off and let it sit for 10 minutes, then lightly fluff with a fork and squeeze the fresh lime juice on the rice before serving. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

    Here are some other simple side dishes that we love!!

    • Cheesy Green Chili Rice Casserole
    • Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks
    • Steakhouse Style Baked Potatoes
    • Garlic Parmesan Orzo
    • Coconut Rice
    • Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
    • More Side Dishes
    • More Rice Recipes

    Other Amazing Chipotle-Inspired Recipes

    • Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Homemade Guacamole
    • Refried Black Beans or Copycat Chipotle Black Beans
    • Homemade Fresh Salsa
    • Cheddar Queso
    • Salsa Ranch
    • Chipotle Chicken Burritos

    This Spanish Rice recipe is quick, easy and has so much flavor packed into every single bite.  It's perfectly fluffy, uses just a few simple ingredients and this Mexican rice recipe tastes just like it came from your favorite restaurant.

    « Best Steakhouse Baked Potatoes
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda

      June 08, 2022 at 8:26 am

      I just found this recipe and tried it for this evenings dinner! My one little taste test spoonful was delicious! Thank you for sharing! I will be trying more of your posted recipes as well.

      Reply
    2. Paul A. Poley

      June 07, 2022 at 1:31 pm

      This is awesome and so easy. Next time I'm going to add some shredded cooked chicken to it. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Mare

      October 22, 2021 at 5:39 am

      Delicious!

      Reply
    4. Nellie Tracy

      March 11, 2021 at 8:12 am

      I LOVE Spanish rice. This looks like a great recipe, can't wait to try it out!

      Reply
    5. Ashley

      March 11, 2021 at 8:08 am

      Simple, easy and delicious. I served it with some chicken thighs.

      Reply
    6. Kristi

      December 31, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      This was easy and delicious!! I am very pleased with this recipe

      Reply
      • The Carefree Kitchen

        January 22, 2021 at 9:17 am

        Thank you for letting me know and thanks for following along!

        Reply
        • Monie

          March 09, 2022 at 11:28 am

          My first attempt didn't turn out well. The flavor was great but the rice just wouldn't cook. It was still hard. The second attempt I halfed the recipe and it was yummy. I'm not sure what went wrong the first time.

          Reply

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    Hi! I'm Jill.

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