Spanish Rice

Name: Spanish Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice; 1/2 cup diced onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup tomato sauce; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 tsp cumin; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, for garnish

6 servings10 min prep25 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Spanish Rice

Story updated September 18, 2026

Spanish rice, or arroz rojo, despite its name, is actually a Mexican dish of rice cooked with tomato, onion, and spices; the "Spanish" label likely reflects English-speaking Americans' historical tendency to describe many Latin American foods as "Spanish" rather than any true Spanish origin.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp chopped cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

1Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat and toast the rice, stirring frequently, until lightly golden, about 4-5 minutes.
2Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
3Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, cumin, chili powder, and salt, and bring to a boil.
4Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
5Fluff with a fork, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

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