Your homemade Spanish rice recipe is a simple, delicious side dish! Fluffy and flavorful, it pairs very well with Mexican mains like tacos and enchiladas.

I have eaten Spanish rice at Mexican restaurants countless times, but it wasn’t until this year that I started making this Spanish rice recipe at home.

Today’s post is a tutorial: if you’re not already making homemade Spanish rice, it’s time to start. You’re seriously missing out!

Spanish rice, also called Mexican rice or arroz rojo, is a variety of rice pilaf cooked with onions and garlic, tomatoes, peppers, and spices.

It’s widely eaten throughout northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, and it’s the perfect side dish for a simply cooked protein or Mexican fare like tacos and enchiladas.

The recipe below has become my go-to tactic for how to make Spanish rice. It’s very easy, and it comes out moist, fluffy, and flavorful every time. I’m sure you’re going to love it.

Spanish Rice Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make this easy Spanish rice recipe:

1. Rice, is the primary ingredient! Long-grain white rice, such as basmati, works best in this recipe. You can also use brown rice, but you’ll need to increase the broth measurement to two cups. Simmer the rice for 45 minutes instead of 15.

2. Onion and garlic – For savory depth of flavor.

3. Extra-virgin olive oil – It brings richness to the rice and helps all the flavors meld. Feel free to substitute a neutral cooking oil, such as avocado or canola oil, if you prefer.

4. Tomato paste, plus diced fresh tomatoes or canned tomato sauce – They give your rice its signature red color and add tangy tomato flavor. Feel free to use either diced fresh tomatoes or the canned tomato sauce. Both options work nicely!

5. Jalapeño pepper – For subtle heat and appealing flecks of green. If you do not like spicy food, replace the jalapeño with 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper.

6. Dried oregano – I use this dried herb in many of my favorite Mexican dishes. It adds earthy depth to the rice.

7. Vegetable broth – You could sub-water, but cooking the rice in broth makes it that much more flavorful. Use store-bought, or make homemade vegetable broth.

8. And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

How to Make Spanish Rice

This Spanish rice recipe is so simple to make! Here’s how it happens:

Firstly, you need to rinse the rice. This is my first step whenever I’m preparing rice, as it removes starches that can cause the rice to clump. Put it in a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl, and rinse it under cool running water until the water in the bowl runs clear.

Secondly, sauté the onion, and toast the rice. Heat the olive oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it is soft and translucent about five minutes.

Add the rice and cook, stirring often, for another two minutes, until it’s fragrant.

Then, add the rest ingredients. Stir in the tomato paste and garlic, followed by the diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, jalapeño, salt, and oregano.

The above recipe is as easy as it appears. Kindly drop us a comment in the section below if you have any questions, opinions, or suggestions for us.