Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
on Jun 10, 2022, Updated Apr 15, 2024
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This easy Spanish rice made in the rice cooker comes together with a few simple ingredients, including a can of tomatoes, a diced onion, and some flavor-filled spices, so all you have to do is dump everything in, set it, and forget it!
I don’t think I’ve ever said no to Mexican food. There are so many bright flavors and ways to serve it that I doubt I’ll ever get sick of it! Easy Spanish rice made in the rice cooker is just one of those easy Mexican side dish staples that you must try. All you do is throw all the ingredients into the rice maker, and voila! You have rich, flavorful rice with almost zero effort.
I prefer using a rice cooker over stovetop rice because I am cursed with crunchy rice every single time I cook it in a regular old pot. Seriously. It’s sad how difficult it is for me. A rice cooker simplifies everything since I don’t have to mess with it after throwing in all the ingredients! This rice is so delish and goes great in burritos and enchiladas, or as a side for any of your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex meals like empanadas!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s the perfect side dish to so many main dishes
- It is “set and forget” because you’re using the rice cooker
- You make it from pantry staples so it’s easy to throw together anytime
Ingredients
- Rice – I prefer a medium or long grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati. You can also use brown rice, see the recipe notes for instructions if doing so.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Broth – this recipe calls for bouillon and water. Feel free to substitute equal parts of chicken broth or vegetable broth or stock.
- Onion
- Seasoning – salt, cumin, garlic power, and chili powder.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Brown rice for white rice. Yes! Just make sure to increase the liquid by one cup.
- Instant Pot for Rice Cooker. Just use the rice function!
How to Make Spanish Rice
Step #1. Place the rice, diced tomatoes, water, onion, bouillon, and spices in the rice cook and stir a little.
Step #2. Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, fluff with a fork then serve.
You sure can! I do and prefer it. Just make sure to increase the liquid by one cup, and you’ll be solid.
You can! Just follow the instructions for the rice cooker function on your Instant Pot.
The differences between Spanish Rice and Mexican Rice are very subtle. Spanish Rice is more firm and heartier while Mexican Rice tends to be softer in texture. The color also varies – Spanish rice tends to be more yellow in color because of the saffron, while Mexican Rice is more of a reddish color due to the cumin. This Mexican Rice isn’t the most authentic dish but is sure tastes delicious.
Tips and Tricks for Making Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
- I have the Aroma Housewares 20 Cup Rice Cooker and love it (it makes 20 cups of cooked rice, perfect for a party or crowd!). I know that the Instant Pot has a rice cooker function that also works great.
- You can serve this as a side to tacos (like our favorite Best Chicken Tacos Ever, and it’s also great tucked inside Smothered Burritos.
- This easy Spanish rice recipe makes a fair amount. If you don’t use it all, it freezes really well. Once it’s cooled, place extras in a zipper-topped freezer bag, label, and freeze. It should keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to Store Easy Spanish Rice
Store leftover rice in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. This recipe makes a good amount of Spanish rice — if you have more leftovers than you’ll eat in the 6 days, it freezes really well. Place remaining cooled rice in sealable bags and freeze for up to two months. To thaw it out, place the bag in a bowl of warm water before heating through to serve!
More Rice Recipes to Consider
Side Dishes and Salads
Mushroom Risotto
Slow Cooker Recipes
Knock-Your-Socks-Off Pulled Pork Tacos
Rice
Easy Fried Rice
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Easy Spanish Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice (14-ounce )
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 bouillon cubes , or 3 teaspoons Better than Bouillon
- 1-3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin , or smoked cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place the rice in the bottom of the rice cooker and then add the diced tomatoes and water. Add the onion and spices and stir a little on the top to dissolve the spices in the water.
- Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- When the rice is cooked, test for salt and add more if needed.
- Serve as a side dish or inside your favorite burritos and tacos.
Video
Notes
- I use brown rice often and increase my water by one cup. The Spanish rice in the pictures was made with brown rice and I bet you didn’t even notice. Your family won’t either.
- You can use chicken or vegetable stock or broth in place of the bouillon and water.
- The amount of chili powder you use is going to depend on how much you like. I’d try it with 2 tablespoons first and then you can go up or down from there depending on your preferences.
- You can use the rice cooker function on your Instant Pot if you don’t have a rice cooker.
normally in mexican rice we brown the rice first. Do you think if i brown it first on the stove top then add it to the rice cooker it will work?
Sure, it’ll work great. I don’t think it’ll make enough of a difference for you to notice though…
Hello Gloria,
I was also concerned about that step. I just cooked a batch and sauteed the onion and garlic in oil before hand, then I added it to the rice cooker with the chopped tomatoes. It turned out great !
Spanish rice is always the side dish that ends up becoming the star of the show. This one looks so so good!
I made this last week along with enchiladas and instant pot refried beans. It served a big crowd! Since we live in San Diego, everyone likes their food authentically spicy. I’m making this again tomorrow but will be using diced tomatoes with chipotles, all 3 spoonfuls of chile powder, maybe a can of green chiles, and vegetable broth for the vegetarians in my life. Great recipe. Thank you!
Sounds amazing! And I love your plan to heat things up a little, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
I made this last week for my family and it came out WONDERFUL! Thanks so much for sharing.
It’s an easy one, isn’t it! And one we make a lot. So glad you liked it as much as we do!
Your recipes are great , simple and yummy. They really bring in our intrest into cooking. Love them.
Hope you find something to make today! ENJOY!
Absolutely Amazing!!!! Using the rice cooker makes this so simple!!
Hi, I tried this recipe last night and the flavor was really good but the rice was way too mushy. Usually, when I cook rice I use 3 cups liquid for 2 cups white rice. Next time I will include the volume of the diced tomatoes and broth together to equal 3 1/2 cups total and see if it makes a dryer rice. Thanks for the recipe. Overall, it tasted great in our burritos.
Perhaps you share what kind of boullion you speak of, in the recipe? Chicken or beef
You can use whatever you have on hand. I use chicken most of the time but beef has worked great too.
Canât wait to try this!
How much chicken stock would you recommend to replace the chicken bouillon?
Just replace the water with chicken stock!
Great recipe. I used diced tomatoes with jalapenos.
Great addition! Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us.