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Homemade Spanish Rice (Quick and Easy Recipe)
5 from 102 votes

Homemade Spanish Rice (Quick and Easy Recipe)

Homemade Spanish Rice cooks basmati rice with sautéed onion and garlic, blended tomatoes, and spices such as chili powder, cumin, and oregano. The rice absorbs vegetable stock and fresh cilantro, resulting in tender, flavorful grains that carry warm, herbaceous notes. Its bright tomato base and fragrance suit it as a side dish for many meals.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 258 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice uncooked, long-grain, white
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ onion finely chopped, medium-sized
  • 2 garlic minced, cloves
  • 2 tomato blended, medium-sized red
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 4 tablespoons cilantro chopped, aka coriander leaves; fresh; leaves
  • salt as required

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse the rice 3 to 4 times in water or until the water looks clear. Place the rice in a bowl and add enough water to cover. Soak the rice for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Then strain the rice using a mesh strainer and set it aside.
  3. Heat oil in a pan. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until onions soften.
  4. Add drained rice. Gently saute the rice for 2 minutes until slightly toasted. Do it with a light hand to avoid breaking the rice grains.
  5. Add blended tomatoes, chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, and salt. Mix well until everything is well combined.
  6. Add vegetable stock and chopped cilantro and stir to mix.
  7. Bring the rice to a boil over high flame. Once the water on the surface of the rice dries up, reduce the heat to the lowest, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 10 minutes.
  8. Turn off the flame and allow the rice to sit covered for 5 minutes undisturbed. Serve immediately garnished with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a rice to liquid ratio of 1:2 for proper cooking and fluffy texture.
  • Rinse rice thoroughly several times to remove surface starch, preventing stickiness.
  • Soak rice for 15-20 minutes before cooking to help achieve even, quick cooking.
  • Toast the rice gently with onions and garlic before adding liquids to enhance aroma and flavor.
  • Cook the rice covered with a tight-fitting lid at low heat for tender, separate grains.
  • Use vegetable stock instead of water to add depth and richness to the rice.

Nutrition Information

Calories 258kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 5g (25%) Sodium 481mg (20%) Potassium 243mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 876IU (18%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 258

% Daily Value*

Calories 258kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 481mg 20%
Potassium 243mg 5%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 876IU 18%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.