Simple Spanish Style Rice

large platter of spanish rice with fresh cilantro

Spanish-style Rice is hands down one of our go-to go-to side dishes. Plain rice is always a satisfying and simple side but this seasoned version, which requires only 5 more minutes of prep time compared to regular rice, takes things to a whole new level!

The components of our Spanish spice blend

The seasoning of this dish is crucial to achieving the reliable flavor profile. All of the herbs and spices play a role in balancing out this tasty rice recipe.

What’s great about the seasoning blend we created for this recipe is that all of these spices are simple to find at any grocery store.

Smoked paprika, also known as pimentón, has a strong smoky flavor. To make smoked paprika, you slow roast a mix of peppers over an open fire then grind them into a powder. Paprika is native to Hungary, but many European countries have adapted the Hungarian method to make their own paprika. Smoked paprika in particular is extremely common in Spain!
Chili powder is a tasty blend of ground chili peppers. Typically, chili powder includes ancho chiles and cascabel chiles. While it adds a warming flavor to your dish, chili powder is not overly spicy. This seasoning is versatile and can be used in many recipes!
Cumin is as tasty as it is healthy. This tasty seed comes from a plant similar to parsley and is filled with antioxidants. If you have cumin in whole seed form, you will want to grind it for this recipe so that it blends better with the other spices.
Oregano is a flavorful herb that’s commonly found in the spice aisle but can also be found fresh. We like to use dried oregano for our spice blend because it adds a powerful, earthy punch. Dried oregano is more potent than fresh, and it has a long shelf life! We highly recommend including it in your spice cabinet.

overhead of spanish rice with fresh lime and cilantro

What to make with our Spanish-style rice

Our slow cooker beef birria is one of our go-to simple weeknight recipes! It is hands-off, creates minimal mess, and is so tasty. We love to serve our beef birria with tortillas and rice with a nice big squeeze of lime and cilantro.
There is something about the combination of chicken and rice that we just love! Try serving this Spanish-style rice with our roasted chicken with vegetables. It is a hearty meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Clearly we have a sweet spot in our hearts for slow cooker meals, but we have to say that this one is just reliable! This slow cooker white chicken chili recipe is tasty and simple to make. We personally love adding rice to a bowl of soup for some extra texture, but you can also serve our Spanish-style rice on the side!

What kind of rice should I use for this recipe?

We use plain white rice, but the beauty of this recipe is that you can really use most types of rice.

Basmati rice and jasmine rice are great options for this recipe. They cook easily and have a lovely texture. Both Basmati and jasmine rice are types of long-grain white rice. They have a fragrant aroma on their own, and pick up the flavors of this dish well!

Brown rice is another type of long-grain rice but it’s healthier than most other varieties. It tends to have a chewier texture than most other rice and is fluffy when cooked! Brown rice has loads of vitamins and minerals and counts as a whole-grain food.

If you are observing a grain-free diet, you can easily swap out the rice for wild rice. That’s correct! Wild rice is not actually a grain, unlike all other kinds of rice. While it shares the same name, wild rice is not a rice at all – wild rice is an aquatic grass.

How to make Spanish-style rice

Drizzle oil in a deep dish pan. Heat up the pan over medium high heat.
Add diced onions and cook until softened and slightly translucent.
Add garlic followed by the mixture of smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix everything together and cook over the heat.
While everything is cooking, rinse your rice until the water runs clear. Then add the rice to the pan and mix together. Make sure the onions, garlic, and spices are evenly distributed throughout the rice.
Add the cubed tomatoes and broth. Bring the pot up to a boil and then lower it to a simmer. Cover and cook until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid.
Fluff the rice with a fork or spoon and serve while hot!
- Optional: add cilantro, or your go-to fresh herb, and a squeeze of lime.

Common Questions about Spanish Style Rice

How do you keep Spanish rice from getting mushy?

The key is to thoroughly rinse the rice first to remove excess starch, and then toast it in oil until it’s lightly golden before adding liquid. Another game-changing tip is to resist the urge to lift the lid or stir while it’s cooking – let it do its thing undisturbed for perfectly fluffy rice!

Can you make Spanish rice with brown rice?

Absolutely! Brown rice makes a fantastic, nutrient-rich version of Spanish rice – you’ll just need to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio. Brown rice typically needs about 45 minutes to cook and requires about 25% more liquid than white rice.

Can you freeze Spanish rice?

Spanish rice freezes surprisingly well! Let it cool completely, portion it into airtight containers, and it’ll keep for up to three months in the freezer. When reheating, just add a splash of water or broth to bring back its reliable texture.

Is Spanish rice healthy?

Spanish rice can be quite nutritious, especially when made with olive oil and fresh vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and onions. The preparation method of toasting the rice actually helps maintain a lower glycemic index compared to plain steamed rice, making it a smart choice for steady energy.

overhead of large plate with spanish rice and fresh cilantro

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 8 servings

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins

This simple spanish inspired rice is full of flavor and simple to make! Email

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large chopped yellow onion
6 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons smoked paprika use regular paprika if you don’t like the “smokey” flavor
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
4 cups rinsed and drained long grain rice
13.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilis
6 cups low sodium vegetable broth

Instructions

Drizzle oil in a deep dish pan. Heat up the pan over medium high heat. Add diced onions and cook until softened and slightly translucent. Add garlic followed by the mixture of smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together and cook over the heat.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 6 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
While everything is cooking, rinse your rice until the water runs clear. Then add the rice to the pan and mix together. Make sure the onions, garlic and spices are evenly distributed throughout the rice.4 cups rinsed and drained long grain rice
Add the diced tomatoes and broth. Bring the pot up to a boil and then lower it to a simmer. Cover and cook until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid, approximately 30 minutes.13.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilis, 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
Fluff the rice with a fork or spoon and serve while hot! Optional: add cilantro, or your go-to fresh herb, and a squeeze of lime.