Easy Spanish/Mexican Rice Recipe
This quick and easy Spanish/Mexican rice is made with butter, cumin, rice, and chunky salsa. It’s a simple, flavorful side dish with rich, savory depth. The rice cooks up tender and fluffy while butter adds a smooth richness, cumin brings warm earthy spice, and chunky salsa infuses the dish with tomato flavor, mild heat, and bits of vegetables. The result is a colorful, aromatic rice that pairs perfectly with Mexican-inspired meals and adds a comforting, zesty touch to the plate. Try serving it along side tacos, enchiladas and grilled meats.
Is Spanish rice and Mexican rice the same? Yes! Mexican rice is often called arroz rojo. In the USA it is also called Spanish rice and is a staple side dish in Mexican cuisine.
This is our go-to side dish when serving Mexican food. My son and husband absolutely love it! Not only is it simple to make, but it’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
One of the main reasons we love this recipe (aside from the taste and the fact that it’s simple to make), is because we always have the ingredients on hand.
- Long grain white rice: The rice is toasted in the butter which results in a nutty, richer flavor and a fluffy, non-sticky texture. This process coats each grain in fat, preventing them from clumping together and ensuring they cook individually. It also helps the rice absorb liquid more evenly and reduces cooking time.
- Butter: Oil can be used instead, but I like using butter for its added flavor.
- Cumin: This spice brings a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky aroma to the rice. It helps create a savory, restaurant-style flavor profile. Cumin is central to the traditional flavor profile, separating Mexican rice from simple tomato-based rice.
- Chicken stock: I like to use my homemade roasted chicken stock for this recipe. However store bought stock will work too.
- Salsa: Use your favorite chunky, red salsa (mild or spicy).
More Family Favorite Mexican Dishes
- Chile Relleno Casserole
- Mexican Casserole
- Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Sweet Slaw and Sriracha
- Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Mexican Street Tacos
Easy Spanish/Mexican Rice Recipe
This quick and easy Spanish/Mexican rice is made with butter, cumin, rice, and chunky salsa. It’s a simple, flavorful side dish with rich, savory depth. It pairs perfectly with Mexican-inspired meals and adds a comforting, zesty touch to the plate. Try serving it along side tacos, enchiladas and grilled meats.
4
servings5
minutes25
minutes30
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon 1 butter
1 cup 1 long grain white rice
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 cumin
12 ounces 12 chicken stock
12 ounces 12 chunky red salsa
Directions
- Add butter to a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the rice and stir. Toast rice for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Add cumin, salsa, and chicken stock to the sauce pan. Bring to a boil.
- Stir and cover the pan. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, stir the rice. If any liquid remains, cook uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork before serving. Garnish with red onion, jalapenos, or freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.
