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This easy Spanish Rice Recipe is made in the rice cooker, coming together with just a few simple ingredients. All you have to do is dump everything into the rice cooker, set it, and forget it! A flavorful side dish to complement any Mexican-inspired meal and on the table in about 30 minutes.
⏰ While traditional stovetop Spanish rice can take up to an hour with constant attention, this rice cooker version delivers restaurant-quality results in half the time. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a flavorful side dish fast.
My 2 Best Tips For Making Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
Spice It Up: The spice level is mild to medium depending on how much chili powder you use. Start with 1 tablespoon for mild, use 2 tablespoons for medium heat, or if you like it spicy, add in a couple pinches of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Resting Time: If I’m not in a huge rush to get this dish on the table, then I let it rest after the rice cooker switches to “warm” mode. Even 10 minutes is good enough to allow the flavors to develop even more. It just helps every grain become perfectly tender and evenly seasoned.
🩷 Melissa
I don’t think I’ve ever said no to Mexican food. There are so many bright flavors and ways to serve it, like this easy Spanish rice. All you do is throw the ingredients into the rice cooker, and you have rich, flavorful rice with almost zero effort.
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!
Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
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, water, and bouillon. Add the onion and spices and stir a little 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 prefer a medium or long grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati.
- 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.
- Store leftover rice in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.
- It freezes really well, too! 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.
- To thaw it out, place the bag in a bowl of warm water before heating through to serve.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
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.
More Rice Recipes to Consider
Dinner Ideas
One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
Soups, Stews & Chowders
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Rice Recipes
Mango Sticky Rice
From Scratch Recipes
Mushroom Risotto
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
You say bouillon cubes . . . but there are beef, pork, chicken, seafood and vegetable ones. You need to specify.
Use what you like or have on hand, all of them work well.
Should this almost fill my rice cooker?!?
No, not before cooking because it will still need to expand. Is yours a 6-10 cup rice cooker?
This is a wonderful recipe and I thank you so much for it. I use a rice cooker, that depending on how many cups of rice you start with there is a measurement on the inside of the cook pot as to how much water to add. I use chicken broth and add first my rice, then my tomatoes with juice, and then fill to the line with chicken broth. Add spices , stir, cover, and Presto! Now I can save money and also control the sodium which is way too much in the prepackaged Spanish rice. Cheers!
I used basmati rice. Reduced water by 1/2 cup. Turned out great.
Thanks for letting us know what worked!
I did less water as well but also did it in the rice cooker so I made sure to fill the water according to the amount of rice used. Was ridiculously good, thanks for the recipe!!
Calls for way too much water. It came out very mushy. I should have trusted my instincts and reduced the water beforehand
How much water should be used then?
Hi! I made this but it was too much I know you said it would freeze but have you ever cut the recipe in half? If I do that do I keep some stuff the same and just half the rice & liquid?
I made this, was delish. Defo going to make it again. I am in the uk and went really well with a Spanish Chicken I bought from Morrisions. I substituted the Boullion for a Knorr Stock Pot (Paprika & Sun Dried Tomatoes) Mouth Watering just thinking about it. I used Basmatti Rice, but will reduce the water content next time as it came out a bit mushy. All in all, very tasty.
Mexican rice is not Spanish rice! They are two different animals.
Yvonne, she doesn’t say it’s Mexican rice, She says it’Spanish Rice. Think you need to read a bit more slower.
She says “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!” Doesn’t say Mexican Rice. It goes Great with mexican or tex-mex.
She also says “This easy Spanish rice in the rice cooker is so divine and full of flavor that you’ll be wanting to make it as a side every time you enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal! Again….Enjoy a Mexican Inspire Meal Doesn’t say Mexican Rice.
Can I use Basmati rice for this recipe?
You can!
Melissa, you may have to reduce water amount, mine came out very mushy
Are you using the scoop that came with your rice cooker to measure the rice? If so, those are not actual 1 cup measurements, actually closer to 3/4C, which will definitely cause some issues considering you’ll be using 1/2C less rice than the recipe calls for. Just FYI.