Spanish rice is the perfect side dish to serve with Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, and more. Once you see how easy it is to make Spanish rice, it will quickly become a family favorite rice recipe.
I always thought that making Mexican rice was complicated and never thought that I could make this rice recipe at home. I live in New Mexico and Spanish rice is an ethnic recipe that is served at most potlucks. So many of my neighbors and friends are of Hispanic and Mexican descent. When they make Spanish rice for a meal, I always enjoy it. Spanish rice is also a staple on the plates of all the local Mexican restaurants. When you order a meal from a Mexican place, it usually comes with Spanish/ Mexican rice.
Living in New Mexico means you have access to many delicious Mexican and New Mexican restaurants. The food that is served at Mexican and New Mexican places are quite similar, with the differences being the flavors and the ingredients used in the meals. The main difference is New Mexican recipes incorporate green chiles but both have the standard tacos, burritos, enchiladas, tamales, etc. The meal plates always have beans, tortillas, and rice. Restaurant-Style Spanish rice is so delicious.
How to make Spanish Rice
The other day, I made my first batch of Spanish rice for a church potluck and I was amazed at how easy it was to make. I then questioned why did it take me so long to make homemade Spanish rice? I have made homemade tortillas and chipotle beans but never Spanish rice. Could it be that my family never requested me to cook Spanish rice or the fact that somebody else always brought the Mexican rice to potlucks? Maybe it was my thinking that this white girl could not make a flavorful Spanish rice dish.
Whatever the reasons, I am glad that I decided to make Spanish rice that was homemade. I brought my spicy Spanish rice to a Christmas party and everyone loved it. My rice dish went well with all the different enchiladas that other people brought. My rice made with a Spanish style was so good that my youngest son requested that I make this rice recipe more often.
Ingredients needed to make Spanish rice
+ Rice - White or brown, long-grain
+ Onion
+ Tomato sauce
+ Minced garlic
+ Chicken broth
+ Cumin
+ Red chili powder
+ Salt
The best recipes start with Extra Virgin Olive oil
You might have noticed that my Spanish Rice ingredient list mentions extra virgin olive oil and wonder if you can use another type of cooking oil. While you are welcome to use your favorite cooking oil, I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and recipe quality results. I use olive oil in many of my healthy recipes simply for olive oil provides the best flavor for recipes. Then I recommend Extra Virgin Olive Oil for many other reasons.
Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy cooking oil. EVOO is high in healthy plant nutrients called phytochemicals that may help fight cancer and heart disease. This flavorful oil called extra virgin olive oil also has some amazing health benefits*.
Health benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
+ Boosts Heart Health
+ Lowers Stroke Risk
+ Fights Inflammation
+ High in Antioxidants
+ Zaps Bacteria
+ Prevents Cancer
+ Boosts Your Brain
* https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-of-olive-oil
So now that you know that extra virgin olive oil has great flavor and amazing health benefits check out some other amazing facts that I discovered about extra virgin olive oil from a website that aims to educate North American consumers about authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The https://flavor-your-life.com/ mission is to empower consumers by educating them about the rich history and delicious properties that these oils display – and sharing the delicious Extra Virgin Olive Oil culinary culture that’s been harvested in Europe for generations. This website has so much information about extra virgin olive oil. You will also find plenty of recipes that use extra virgin olive oil, like Pasta Alla Carbonara With Pancetta and Linguine With Clams.
Earlier this year, I attended a Flavor Your Life event that was hosted by Moms Meet and I learned so much about extra virgin olive oil.
Extra Virgin Olive oil facts
● Extra virgin olive oil is made by pressing olive oil, without heat or chemicals
● Olive oils are tested for peroxide values. Lower values indicate fresher oil and more rapid processing.
● Extra virgin olive oil is virtually free of acidity — below 0.8%. If the percentage of oleic acid (fatty acid) is too high, it indicates improper production and rancidity.
● A panel of trained, expert tasters tests for taste defects and the presence of positive attributes of fruitiness, bitterness, and spiciness. If the oil doesn’t have the signature fruity taste and harmonious balance, it won’t receive an Extra Virgin rating.
● Extra virgin olive oil has a high smoking point of 400°F, so it is suitable for cooking and baking.
● Between use, store your oil somewhere dark and cool (around 57°F, if possible), not on the counter or near a stove, and never in the refrigerator. Keep the lid screwed on tight, and use your oil within six months of opening.
I received a bottle of extra virgin olive oil from Le Stagioni d’ Italia to use in my recipe for Spanish rice and once I poured the olive oil into my pan, I knew that this was quality extra virgin olive oil. From the color to the aroma, I knew that this oil was going to give my Spanish rice the best cooking oil flavor.
● Le Stagioni d’ Italia takes great pride in bringing authentic Italian foods from seed to shelf, selecting seeds, harvesting crops, and packaging foods in their state-of-the-art production facilities in Northern Italy.
● Le Stagioni d’ Italia’s short, fully traceable supply chain is guaranteed sustainability, and the great care they take with processing creates exceptional taste.
● 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the first cold-pressed olive oil from the first round of extraction of fresh, intact olives - it has not been heated during processing, so it retains its full nutritional value.
● Harvested in Italy, it is vegan, gluten-free, and contains no additives or preservatives.
● It has a robust flavor of artichoke and almond, with a medium bitter and spicy aftertaste, as well as a green, ripe, fruity aroma with a leafy feel.
Spanish rice questions and tips
How much rice should I make per person? While a serving of rice is 1/2 cup cooked rice, I recommend 1 cup cooked rice per person. One cup of dried rice makes 3 cups of cooked rice. Leftover rice can be stored for several days in the fridge.
Which rice is best for Spanish Rice? Any white rice can be used for Spanish rice but I recommend using long-grain white rice. It gets fluffy and does not get sticky like some of the short-grained rice.
Can Spanish rice be made with brown rice? Brown rice can definitely be used in place of white rice. Brown rice is healthier rice also. Just add ⅓ c more water per cup of brown rice and let simmer longer- until the brown rice reaches your desired texture.
Can you use salsa instead of tomato sauce? Yes! Salsa can add more flavor and even a bit more spice to this rice recipe. Depending on the salsa you use, it can also add additional texture.
Can I add additional ingredients to the rice recipe? To add different flavors and textures, you can add chopped vegetables to the rice while it is cooking. I like to add chopped peppers, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, diced green chiles, or even jalapenos.
How do I reheat leftover Spanish Rice? Make sure to store the leftover rice in an air-tight container in the fridge. The cooked Spanish rice will keep for a week. To reheat, just microwave or reheat on the stove for a few minutes. Add a couple spoons of water if the rice is too dry.
Can Spanish rice be frozen? This rice can be frozen. I like to place about 3 cups of cooked rice into a freezer bag. Make sure to label it Spanish rice. Store in the freezer for 4-6 months, for the best quality. When you need the rice for a meal, just reheat the rice in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave the rice on high stirring every 2 minutes until rice reaches your desired temperature.
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Check out these other recipes that use Extra Virgin Olive oil
Roasted Tomatoes Made in The Air Fryer
Rosemary and Caramelized Onion Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia
Wild Mushroom Pizza With Caramelized Onions
Make sure to save this recipe on Pinterest
Easy Spicy Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Small onion diced into small pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Cups long-grain white rice
- 8 oz Tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 Teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 Teaspoon red chile powder
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large frying pan on medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pan. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Then cover the pan and lower heat to a simmer.
- Let simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Fluff before serving.