Spanish Rice is an easy and delicious side dish that goes well with any Mexican or Mexican-inspired meal.
Where is Spanish Rice from?
Spanish Rice is a bit of a misnomer because the dish does not originate from Spain. It’s actually a Mexican side dish of white rice cooked in a flavorful tomato based sauce.
What is the difference between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice?
Nothing! Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice are just different terms for the same dish. Depending on where you grow up, or what location you are in, it will be called something different, but they both refer to the exact same thing.
Can I make Spanish Rice with brown rice?
Yes, you can, but the cooking time will change significantly. Brown rice will need to simmer for at least 50 minutes in order to absorb all of the cooking liquid.
PRO TIP: Be sure to use a long grain white rice in this recipe to ensure the proper rice to liquid ratio. Quick rices and instant rice require a different ratio of liquid, as well as shorter cooking times and will turn into a soupy, mushy mess in this recipe.
What does Spanish Rice go well with?
- Authentic Carne Asada
- Beef Barbacoa
- Killer Crockpot Carnitas
- Tacos Al Pastor
- Mexican Street Corn
- Homemade Mexican Churros
Watch the video below where we will walk you through every step of the recipe with a video demonstration.
Made this for the first time tonight, increased it by 1/2 and it worked perfectly, as Rachel’s recipes always seem to do. Best Mexican rice I’ve had since leaving AZ 15 years ago and moving to MN. I get desperate for good Mexican food sometimes, and this made me so happy!
Love the Spanish rice, With the fried pork chops and my family ate it with gusto! Thank you for sharing, Rachel…
I made this rice, it came out absolutely perfect! Love the new website too!
This is delicious and really easy to make!I added 4 Tbsp of cilantro into the puree- gives just a bit more “pop”… Great recipe! Thank you!
Besides doubling the ingredients, do I need to cook longer if I want to make 12 servings? Or what should I do differently?
Rice will still take the same length of time to cook when the recipe is doubled.
Awesome
What do you mean by tomato sauce? Passata? Here in Australia tomato sauce is what we say for ketchup. Its that what you meant? Thanks
Passata
This is a good recipe and nearly exactly the way my Abuela from Zihuatanejo causes it to be I’m excited to try out some of the additional recipes Kristin! I really like your answers how everyone has gaps in their own kitchen and that you aren’t scared to step outside the box. Keep this up! For your”women” who bashed; pity you! What happened to others!
This was so yummy + so easy to make! I’m so glad I found your site! Thank you:)
will it be ok to use microwave rice as when I cook it from scratch it alwsys goes wrong
I guess you can try, but you’d have to change a lot of the recipe to make it in the microwave. If you can’t cook rice, I’m not sure you’ll be able to adapt the recipe as much as would be needed to change it to be in the microwave.