Rice Cooker Mexican Rice Recipe (Easy Spanish Rice)

I’m excited to share with you a delicious and easy recipe for making Spanish-style rice in a rice cooker. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a flavorful and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for any meal.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of preparing the rice, adding the seasonings, and cooking it all together in the rice cooker. I’ll also share some tips and tricks for getting the perfect texture and flavor. So grab your rice cooker and let’s get cooking!

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to make Mexican rice (Spanish-style) rice in a rice cooker with just a few simple ingredients and steps.
• Follow our guide for preparing the rice, adding the seasonings, and cooking it all together for the perfect texture and flavor.
• Enjoy this delicious and satisfying side dish with any meal.

What is Mexican Rice?

Authentic Mexican rice, also known as Spanish rice or red rice in Tex-Mex cuisine, is a side dish that is commonly served in Mexican cuisine. It is made from white rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and sometimes other ingredients such as chili powder, cumin, and bell peppers.

The rice is typically cooked in chicken or vegetable broth, which gives it a rich and savory flavor. Mexican rice can be served as a side dish to accompany a main course or used as a filling for burritos or other dishes. It is a popular and flavorful addition to many Mexican-inspired meals.

Ingredients to Make Mexican Rice Overview

Long Grain Rice

Long grain white rice is a type of rice that is slender and lengthy, with a length-to-width ratio of four to five times longer than it is wide. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to salads to pilafs. You can also use brown rice or Basmati works well in Mexican food. The amount of liquid used and cooking times will need to be adjusted.

Stock or Broth

Stock and broth are both flavorful liquids used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces. Packaged products are readily available you can easily make your own for more flavor and nutrients.

To make stock or broth, you will typically need the following ingredients:

• Bones, such as chicken, beef, or pork (for stock) or meat and/or vegetables (for broth)
• Water
• Salt
• Optional aromatics, such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs

To make stock, you will typically simmer the bones in water for several hours, along with any aromatics you choose to add. The resulting liquid is strained and used as a base for soups and stews.

To make broth, you will typically simmer meat and/or vegetables in water for several hours, along with any aromatics you choose to add. The resulting liquid is strained and used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces.

Both stock and broth can be made in large batches and frozen for later use.

Red Onion

Spanish onion gives the dish a delicious savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the rice.

Tomato Sauce

Canned tomato sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta sauces to soups to stews. In this recipe it adds a bit of sweetness and acidity to the dish, balancing out the savory flavors of the garlic and onion.

When selecting canned tomato sauce, it is important to read the label to ensure that it does not contain any additional ingredients that you may not want, such as added sugar or salt.

Black Pepper

I love to add a little bit of black pepper to our rice dish to give it a subtle kick. It’s a great way to enhance the flavor of the dish without overpowering it. I recommend using freshly ground black pepper for the best taste. You can adjust the amount of black pepper to your liking, but I find that about 1/4 teaspoon works for this recipe.

Dried Oregano

Dried oregano is another great seasoning to add to this rice dish. It adds a slightly earthy and herbaceous flavor that complements the tomato sauce nicely. I recommend using about 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano for this recipe. To get the best flavor, I suggest grinding the dried oregano using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder before adding it to the rice cooker.

Rice Cooker Mexican Rice Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups long grain rice, washed and drained 
2 cups water (chicken broth or stock is better)
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste

Rice Preparation

When preparing rice, it is important to start with clean grains. I prefer using long-grain rice for this recipe. To wash the rice, I simply rinse it thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Then, I drain the rice in the cooker.

Cooking Process

Once the rice is washed and drained, add the rice to the cooker then I add our flavorful ingredients to the cooker. I start by adding a couple of cloves of minced garlic, a whole chopped Spanish onion, a can of tomato sauce, and water or stock.

Next, I add a bit of black pepper and some dried oregano, which I grind up before adding to the cooker. I stir the ingredients together thoroughly, put the lid on, and let the rice cook in the cooker.

Once it’s done, we just stir and fluff it up, garnish it with some chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime and it’s ready to serve.

This recipe is a great way to add some flavor to plain rice, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The combination of garlic, onion, and tomato sauce adds a delicious savory flavor, while the black pepper and oregano give it a little bit of spice.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful rice dish that is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

This recipe is perfect for those who want to make a quick, easy, and delicious side dish that’s full of flavor. Give it a try and see for yourself how delicious it is!

Serving Suggestions

Mexican rice can be served as a side dish or used as a base for a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions for Mexican rice:

Serve as a side dish: Mexican rice is a classic side dish that pairs well with a variety of Mexican-inspired main dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and burritos.

Use as a filling: Mexican rice can be used as a filling for burritos, quesadillas, and other dishes. Simply add some beans, cheese, and your favorite protein for a delicious and filling meal.

Make a rice bowl: Mexican rice can be used as a base for a rice bowl. Top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and add some fresh vegetables, such as avocado, tomato, and cilantro.

Make a casserole: Mexican rice can be used as a base for a casserole. Layer it with cooked ground beef or chicken, cheese, and vegetables, and bake it in the oven for a delicious and comforting meal.

Add to soup: Mexican rice can be added to soup for a heartier and more filling meal. Try adding it to chicken tortilla soup or vegetable soup for an extra dose of flavor and texture.

These are just a few ideas for serving Mexican rice. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations.

Add More Flavor to a Spanish Rice Recipe

Mexican rice is already a flavorful dish, but there are several ways to add even more flavor to it. Here are some tips for adding more flavor to Mexican rice:

Toast the rice: Before cooking the rice, toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown. This will add a nutty and rich flavor to the rice.

Use broth instead of water: Instead of using plain water to cook the rice, use chicken or vegetable broth. This will add more depth of flavor to the rice.

Add aromatics: Saute onions, garlic, and other aromatics in oil before adding the rice. This will infuse the rice with its flavors.

Add tomato paste: Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste to the rice before adding the liquid. This will add a rich tomato flavor to the rice.

Use spices: Add spices like cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, or saffron to the rice for extra flavor.

Add vegetables: Add diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or corn to the rice for more texture and flavor.

Add fresh herbs: Finish the rice with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley for a burst of fresh flavor.

By using these tips, you can take your Mexican rice to the next level and make it even more flavorful and delicious.

How to Store Leftover Rice

To store leftover rice, it is important to cool it down quickly and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Here are the steps to follow:

Cool the rice quickly: After cooking the rice, let it cool down to room temperature for no more than 2 hours. Then, transfer it to a shallow container to speed up the cooling process. You can also place the container in an ice bath or use a fan to cool it down faster.

Store in an airtight container: Once the rice has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. If you are storing it in the refrigerator, it can be stored for up to 4-6 days. If you are storing it in the freezer, it can be stored for up to 6 months.

How to Reheat Leftover Rice

When reheating leftover rice, make sure it is heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any bacteria that may have grown on it. You can reheat it in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven.

Check out this OvenSpot article that shows you how to reheat rice so it turns out fluffy every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mexican rice gluten free?

Mexican rice can be gluten-free, but it depends on the recipe and the ingredients used. Traditional Mexican rice is made with long grain rice, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chicken or vegetable broth, which are all gluten-free ingredients. However, some recipes may include additional ingredients, such as flour or soy sauce, which can contain gluten.

How long does Mexican rice last?

The shelf life of Mexican rice depends on how it is stored and whether it has been cooked or not. If uncooked, Mexican rice can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a year. Once cooked, Mexican rice should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can last for 4 to 6 days.

Wrapping Up: Mexican Rice in a Rice Cooker (Spanish Rice)

And that’s it, folks! Our rice cooker tomato rice is all done and ready to be enjoyed. We hope you found this recipe easy to follow and that you give it a try.

As you saw, this recipe is straightforward and requires just a few ingredients. We used long-grain rice, which is perfect for absorbing all the flavors from the garlic, onion, and tomato sauce. Speaking of the tomato sauce, we used a can of it, but you can also use fresh tomatoes if you prefer.

We also added a bit of black pepper and dried oregano to give the rice some extra flavor. You can adjust the amount of seasoning to your liking, of course.

Overall, this recipe is perfect for those days when you want something quick and easy to make. It’s also a great way to use up any leftover rice you may have. We hope you enjoy making and eating this rice as much as we do. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!

Inspiring Mexican Rice

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!