Description
Learn how to make authentic Spanish Rice that's fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect side dish for Mexican mains like tacos and enchiladas. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple ingredients like basmati rice, tomatoes, and spices to create a delicious and comforting dish in under an hour.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ white onion, diced
- 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Tomato Mixture
- ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes or canned tomato sauce
- 1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a medium Dutch oven or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion: Add the diced white onion and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Toast the rice: Stir in the rinsed basmati rice and cook for 2 minutes, until the rice is fragrant and lightly toasted, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add tomato paste and garlic: Mix in the tablespoon of tomato paste and minced garlic cloves, cooking for about 1 minute to combine the flavors.
- Add tomatoes and seasoning: Pour in the diced fresh tomatoes or canned tomato sauce, the chopped jalapeño, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon dried oregano. Stir everything until well combined.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour 1½ cups of vegetable broth into the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer gently for 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
- Rest the rice: Remove the pot from the heat but keep it covered and let the rice sit undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes to finish steaming and absorb any remaining moisture.
- Fluff and serve: Use a fork to fluff the rice gently before serving. Enjoy your flavorful Spanish rice as a side dish with your favorite Mexican dishes.
Notes
- Rinsing the basmati rice prior to cooking removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy grains.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the jalapeño or reduce the quantity.
- Vegetable broth can be substituted with chicken broth if not strictly vegetarian.
- For a richer taste, you can toast the tomato paste slightly longer before adding other ingredients.
- If using canned tomato sauce instead of fresh tomatoes, adjust seasoning slightly to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican