Description
This Homemade Spanish Rice is a fluffy, tomato-rich side dish that brings big comfort to easy dinner nights, taco night, burrito bowls, meal prep lunches, and simple family food ideas. Made with long-grain rice, tomato sauce, broth, onion, garlic, and warm spices, this easy recipe cooks in one pan and turns everyday pantry ingredients into a flavorful side for quick dinner, Mexican-inspired meals, and weeknight dinner ideas.
Ingredients
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
1. Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs mostly clear, then drain it well.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the rice and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the grains look lightly golden.
4. Stir in the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened.
5. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
6. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
7. Pour in the chicken broth and stir once to combine.
8. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.
9. Simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
10. Sprinkle in the frozen peas, cover again, and let the rice rest off the heat for 5 minutes.
11. Fluff with a fork, then finish with cilantro and lime juice before serving.
Notes
Rinse the rice well and drain it before cooking so the grains stay fluffy instead of sticky.
Toast the rice until lightly golden before adding liquid because this adds flavor and improves the final texture.
Keep the lid on while the rice simmers. Lifting it too often releases steam and can make the rice cook unevenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 178
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 438mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade Spanish rice, easy Spanish rice, Mexican rice, tomato rice, quick dinner side, taco night side dish, easy recipe, dinner ideas, food ideas