Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker
on Jun 08, 2017, Updated Jun 28, 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.
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.
Expert Tips
- 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
Dinner Ideas
One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
Rice Recipes
Easy Fried Rice
Rice Recipes
How to Cook White Rice in the Instant Pot
Rice Recipes
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime 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.
Is this rice wet? Or Fluffy?
It should be fluffy like a traditional rice dish.
Thanks for the delicious-sounding recipe; it’s part of tonight’s dinner. 🙂
Have you tried tomato paste rather than diced tomatoes? My family (husband, children) will eat “red” rice that tastes tomato-like, but the texture of tomatoes throws them off.
I haven’t but I’ve read a few recipes that use tomato juice instead of the water and the rice it red! I say google that!
is that a rice cooker cup or a true cup of rice?
I had no idea there was a difference! I measured in true cups.
I always use the measuring cup that came with the rice maker and it works perfectly every time
My family hates the texture of cooked tomatoes too. So what I do is purée my cans of diced tomatoes in a blender or with my immersion blender. Works great.
Did you mean 3 tablespoons of chili powder or 3 teaspoons?
I use 3 tablespoons, but feel free to use what you think you’d like. We like it a little spicy!
This sounds like a great recipe for Spanish rice, but I’m a little concerned about the amount of chili powder. Are you able to rate the spiciness on a scale of 1 – 10 with three tablespoons of chili powder? That way I am able to adjust accordingly.
It’s maybe a 4 but my chili powder is just the normal old McCormick and it isn’t spicy really.
Thanks I went with half the amount and it was about a 2 on my spicy scale. I also added went with a 1/2 cup less of water and added in tomato sauce.
Can you use 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth instead?
Yes! It’ll be great… just add a bit less salt so that it doesn’t get too salty. Have a great dinner 🙂
can you cook this on the stove, I do not have a rice cooker.
Yep, I have a lot better luck on the stove top with white rice. When I try to cook brown rice like that it always seems to stay just a little hard. Have a great day!
Looks so easy. I definitely will be trying your recipe. Looks yummy. Theresa @DearCreatives
What kind of bullion. Beef?
It’s up to you, any would work (beef, chicken, veggie…). I tend to use chicken most often.
I have a brain injury so preparing anything over the stove top can be dicey/ Using the crock pot or ricer allows me to “set it and forget it” and not worry about setting the stove and kitchen on fire Thank you very much for the recipe
Me too! I have a brain jury and cook almost entirely be appliances so I don’t burn down the kitchen! Tryingbthis tonight.
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe. And you were right on with the extra water for brown rice.
Thanks so much! I normally make it with the brown because you just can’t tell the difference… so easy!
I have successfully halved this recipe in my small rice cooker. If you like a more tomatoey Spanish rice, consider adding a can of tomatoe paste (for the full recipe). You won’t be disappointed 🙂