Fitness / January 6, 2024

Spanish Rice Recipe

Add some flamenco flair to your rice with this recipe for Spanish Rice, featuring thick tomato sauce, garlic, and tasty herbs.

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Have you ever been to Spain? If you have, perhaps you marveled at the architecture of Barcelona, the fashion in Madrid, or the beautiful beaches (and people!). For me, it was the food. In particular, this rice dish.

Who knew rice and tomato sauce went so well together! In retrospect, it makes sense. People usually serve either pasta or rice for their carbs, and, seeing as how tomato sauce complements pasta, I shouldn’t be surprised that it does a similar job for rice.

This recipe is similar to my Mexican Cauliflower Rice and Herbed Cauliflower Rice, which transforms regular rice (or, in those cases, cauliflower rice) into something savory, but this dish brings to mind my time in Spain, which makes it my go-to on those days when I feel very far away from those Catalonian shores.

Is Spanish Rice Recipe Healthy?

Rice is high in carbs and so, is a good source of energy. It depends on your dietary regimen whether those carbs are a concern though. The other thing to look out for is the chicken bouillon, which can be high in sodium. If that’s a concern, look for a low-sodium version. Also, study the ingredients of the tomato sauce; some contain added sugars and preservatives that you don’t need. This recipe is suitable for Mediterranean diets, gluten-free diets (ensure the tomato sauce and bouillon is gluten-free), vegetarian/vegan (use veggie broth instead of chicken broth and ensure no animal products were used in the tomato sauce), and low-carb diets (if you use cauliflower rice).

What Type Of Rice Should I Use?

The recipe lists long-grain rice, which consists of long grains (natch!) that remain fluffy and separated after cooking. The two most popular types are Jasmine and Basmati. Both have a lovely fragrance to them and should be thought of as something more than just a vehicle for sauces and toppings. You can also go for healthier options, such as low-carb cauliflower rice or brown rice, which has more nutrients than its white counterpart but is firmer and takes longer to cook.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup long-grain rice
2 cups warm water
1/2 cube chicken bouillon
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 oz. tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
pinch of salt and black pepper
fresh parsley (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

Toast

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the rice and toast for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Add

Add the warm water, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well until combined.

Simmer

Cover the skillet and let simmer for 20–25 minutes on low heat until there is no liquid left. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes, covered.

Fluff

Fluff the rice with a fork. Top the Spanish rice with fresh parsley.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Spanish Rice

For a spicier version, add chili powder, use mild or hot salsa, and/or dice up some jalapeños and stir them in.
Brown rice can be substituted for the white rice as a healthier option. Just be aware that it will need a longer cooking time.
Gently fluff—don’t stir—your rice. This way, you don’t demolish the individual grains.
It is important you let the rice simmer and not boil the grains. Simmering prevents the grains from sticking to the bottom of the pan and merges the flavors nicely.

Spanish Rice Recipe featured focused image

FAQs

why do i need to let the rice sit after cooking?

Doing so lets the rice absorb the remaining steam and ensures uniform cooking. The steam also separates the rice so they become fluffy and not sticky.

what does toasting the rice first do?

Toasting enhances the flavor, cuts down on stickiness, and make the rice more resistant to taking on water so there’s less chance of it becoming all mushy.

can i do this in a rice cooker?

Yep. After toasting the rice, add the ingredients to the cooker and hit ‘Start’. Stir/fluff before serving.

what protein can i add?

You have your choice of chicken, shrimp, chorizo, or ground meat. Chorizo makes the most sense, given it originated in Spain. Cook your meat and then add it to the cooked rice.

Spanish Rice Recipe featured image shot above

Serving Suggestions

I’m so excited about this section! Let’s make a Spanish feast consisting of Salmorejo soup for an appetizer, Pan Con Tomate (breakfast for dinner yo!) and finish off with a creamy and crunchy piece of Sopapilla Cheesecake.

How To Prep And Store Spanish Rice

Let the rice cool completely then store it in an airtight container. Put it in the fridge but be sure to eat it within 4 days. To reheat, sprinkle a bit of water on the rice to reinvigorate it then microwave or warm it on the stove. I don’t recommend freezing it; the texture of rice will suffer during the thawing process.