This is a great side dish for a ton of meals. It is especially good if you’re making some simple tacos with beans and cheese, and this is the side. It’s a delight on its own, if far from enough to be a meal.
Mexican / Spanish Rice
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Spanish
Keyword: Rice
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 204kcal
- 3 tbsp canola oil
- 1 cup medium- or long-grain white rice (Basmati works) rinsed and drained
- ½ medium onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced or crushed
- 1 jalapeño diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 medium tomatoes diced
- 1 cup vegetable or no-chicken broth
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 lime zested and juiced
- ½ bunch cilantro
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it’s just shimmering. Add the rinsed, drained rice and sauté, stirring frequently until beginning to toast, about 5 minutes.
3 tbsp canola oil, 1 cup medium- or long-grain white rice (Basmati works)
Add onion and cook until the rice is getting toastier and the onions are softening. Add the garlic and jalapeño and stir. Add the tomato paste and stir.
½ medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 jalapeño, 1 tbsp tomato paste
Add the tomatoes and the broth. Add the cumin and lime zest as well. Stir well. You want about 1½ cups liquid in total, so you may want to reduce the broth or add a bit more. Bring to a boil.
4 medium tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable or no-chicken broth, 1 lime, ½ tsp ground cumin
Once boiling, turn heat to low and cook, covered, until liquid has evaporated and rice is done, about 15-20 minutes. If the rice seems cooked but there is still liquid, you can remove the lid and mix it frequently to release some of the steam. Once cooked and dry enough, remove from heat and gently fluff the rice. Re-cover the pot and allow to rest undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes.
Once it’s done, add about 1 tbsp lime juice the chopped cilantro. Fluff and taste and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper, maybe a bit more cumin) if desired. Serve with additional lime wedges.
½ bunch cilantro
Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Mexican / Spanish Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 204
Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Sodium 185mg8%
Potassium 300mg9%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 885IU18%
Vitamin C 19mg23%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.