How to make the best Spanish Rice

How to make the best Spanish Rice

Last Updated on March 22, 2022

Learning How to make the best Spanish Rice is surprisingly simple.

This Spanish rice has more to it than the prepackaged Spanish rice you will find in the store.

Not only is it healthy, low in sodium, and full of color with fresh vegetables, it is full of flavor!

And it will take the same amount of time to whip this rice up as it would the prepackaged rice.

What is even better, is that you can customize your rice.

Try different varieties of rices, add in different types of peppers (hot or mild), or add in a bean, such as black or pinto beans.

Use this rice as a burrito/ taco filling, as a side dish, or even make it a main dish.

How ever you decide to serve or make this Spanish rice, you and your family will never have plain boring rice again.

How to make the best Spanish Rice

What ingredients are in this rice

  • Rice – This can be your favorite rice, there are so many varieties available today, but my personal favorite is the Basmati white rice. Try to stay with a white rice when making this dish, a white rice blends better and takes on all the flavors in this dish.
  • Oil – I have used both olive and avocado oil in this dish.
  • Peppers – In this recipe I used bell peppers. These bell peppers have no heat but add color, crunch, and just the right amount of sweetness. If you want to add some heat to your rice, go ahead and add a hot pepper of your choice.
  • Onion – Fresh or powdered onion will work for this rice. The sauteed onion will add a mild sweet flavor with a slight bite.
  • Garlic – Sauteed fresh garlic gives a sweet buttery flavor.
  • Herbs – Fresh or dried Cilantro can be used in this recipe. Cilantro doesn’t have to be added to this dish, but I will say that it does give this rice a refreshing, citrus, and bright taste. I myself was not a fan of cilantro, but after using it in small amounts I feel in love the flavor it gives dishes or salsa, and would not take it out of any my homemade dishes. This is why I always suggest experimenting, your taste can and will change.
  • Fresh Spinach – Spinach, which is rich in nutrients, will add bright color and a mild green taste to this rice.

How to make the best Spanish Rice

Clean and dice the green and red bell pepper, garlic cloves, onion, cilantro (if fresh), and spinach, set aside.

In a large sauce pan, add oil, onion, garlic, and peppers, saute for about 7 minutes.

Next add rice, water, cilantro, salt and pepper to the sauce pan, cook according to the rice package.

On the last remaining 5 minutes of the rice cooking, add the spinach to the sauce pan.

After 5 minutes, stir, remove from heat, and serve.

How to make the best Spanish Rice

How to serve this Spanish Rice

Serve this rice as a side dish.

Enjoy as a main dish add beans, cheese, and sour cream.

Use this rice for a filling for stuffed peppers, burrito, or taco.

ENJOY!

How to make the best Spanish Rice

How to make the best Spanish Rice

Lisa
This delicious Spanish rice is low on sodium, healthy, and full of colorful vegetables!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican

Ingredients
  

Saute all these ingredients for 5 to 7 Minutes.

  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil To saute the vegetables.
  • 1 Small Onion Diced or 1 Tbsp powdered onion.
  • 2 Cloves Garlic Diced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper Diced, your choice on the color.
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced, your choice on the color.

Next add the following ingredients to your pot. Bring to boil and cook to rice instructions.

  • 1 cup White Rice I like Basmati White Rice, use the rice of your choice.
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 tsp Cilantro I used dried, but Fresh is better, optional.
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

In the last 5 minutes of cooking your Rice add the Spinach.

  • 2 cups Spinach Chopped

Instructions
 

  • Clean and dice the green and red bell pepper, garlic cloves, onion, cilantro (if fresh), and spinach, set aside.
  • In a large sauce pan, add oil, onion, garlic, and peppers, saute for about 7 minutes.
  • Next add rice, water, cilantro, salt and pepper to the sauce pan, cook according to the rice package.
  • On the last remaining 5 minutes of the rice cooking, add the spinach to the sauce pan.
  • After 5 minutes, stir, remove from heat, and serve.

How to serve this Spanish Rice

  • Serve this rice as a side dish.
  • Enjoy as a main dish add beans, cheese, and sour cream.
  • Use this rice for a filling for stuffed peppers, burrito, or taco.

Notes

You can add other peppers if you would like your Spanish Rice to have more Heat.   Or maybe add Black or Pinto Beans!  No limit to this Amazing Spanish Rice!
Keyword dairy-free, dinner, gluten-free, How to make the best Spanish Rice, plant based, recipe, Rice, spanish rice, vegan, vegetarian

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