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The BEST Easy One-Pot Spanish Rice | Authentic Mexican Side Dish

A close-up of fluffy, orange-colored spanish rice mixed with bright green peas and diced red tomatoes on a white plate.
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Make restaurant-style Spanish rice at home. This one-pot recipe delivers fluffy, flavorful Arroz Rojo perfect for weeknight dinners or family feasts.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (optional)

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. Toast the rice, stirring often, for 5 to 7 minutes until the grains turn light golden brown. This step is key for fluffy Spanish rice.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
  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, broth, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir everything together well.
  6. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. After 18 minutes, remove the pan from the heat. If using, gently stir in the frozen peas and carrots mix.
  8. Keep the pan covered and let it stand off the heat for another 10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become perfectly fluffy.
  9. Remove the lid and fluff the Spanish rice gently with a fork before serving.

Notes

  • Toasting the rice correctly builds the deep flavor base for authentic Mexican rice. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
  • Use low-sodium broth so you can control the final salt level.
  • For a richer color, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder along with the broth.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the cumin and oregano.

Nutrition

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