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Easy One-Pot Mexican-Style Spanish Rice

A close-up of a mound of fluffy, seasoned spanish rice topped with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
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Make authentic, flavorful Spanish rice quickly in one pot. This recipe focuses on toasting the rice for a fluffy texture that complements tacos and enchiladas perfectly.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the long-grain white rice to the pan. Stir constantly and toast the rice for 5 to 7 minutes until the grains turn a light golden brown color. This step is key for fluffy rice.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  7. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the steam to finish cooking the rice perfectly.
  9. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

  • Toasting the rice before adding liquid prevents gummy rice and develops a deeper, nutty flavor.
  • For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought.
  • If you want a slightly spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the cumin.
  • This rice pairs wonderfully with your favorite Tex Mex Side Dish Staples like refried beans or grilled chicken.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/easy-one-pot-spanish-rice-recipe/