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

A close-up of vibrant, orange-colored spanish rice mixed with bright green peas and chopped carrots in a white bowl.
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Make restaurant-style Spanish Rice at home! This easy, one-pot recipe yields fluffy, flavorful Arroz Rojo perfect for tacos or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons 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 low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. You are going to toast the rice first, which is key for fluffy results!
  2. Add the long-grain white rice to the hot oil. Stir constantly for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice turns a light golden brown color. Give yourself a pat on the back for this important step!
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 2 minutes until the onion softens slightly.
  4. Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, salt, cumin, and oregano. Stir everything together well to combine the flavors.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let it simmer undisturbed for 18 minutes.
  6. After 18 minutes, remove the pot from the heat. Keep the lid on and let the rice steam for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time!
  7. Gently stir in the frozen peas and carrots mix, if using. The residual heat will warm them through. Fluff the Spanish Rice gently with a fork before serving. You did it!

Notes

  • Toasting the rice until golden brown is the secret to restaurant-style Spanish Rice texture. Don’t rush this part!
  • For richer flavor, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian.
  • If you want a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the cumin and oregano.

Nutrition

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