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.
I don’t know what I did wrong but my rice is mushy. I used Brown rice and added another cup of water. I’m not sure if that’s why it’s mushy. Please let me know why it is mushy.
Absolutely brilliant I normally oven cook it but decided to try rice cooker, all the family loved it and I will stick to this recipe .
Made this last night. Was my first time using my new rice cooker. Was really good, a definite make again. Used brown rice (short grain), next time will use only 1/2 c extra water and probably less salt. Added a can of drained black beans at the end for a compete, vegan (!!) meal. Easy — and can freeze portions for lunches!
3 teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon. Easier to measure.
Delicious! Made this for dinner tonight. I added some diced red pepper as well. Will become a regular side on our dinner rotation!
This is such a great recipe. I usually cook up some soyrizo from Trader Joe’s when the rice cooker beeps, and this makes for a quick and easy-to-make recipe that everyone enjoys. Thank you so much! 🙂
That sounds SO good! Thank you for the tip!
Has anyone doubled this succesfully?
Cooking for a crowd at our family reunion.
Thanks!
Yes, I do it often! If your rice cooker is that big, it’ll work great.
I made this tonight and it’s awesome and easy!! Do you have nutrition info?
When you say cups to you mean the rice cooker measuring cups or a regular cup measurement?
Just regular cups. Not all rice cookers come with the scoop and most people I know don’t use it anyways…
Hi Melissa, Just for your readers’ information, the rice cooker cup measures 3/4 of an American measuring cup. So it’s good to know that you said you just used regular cup measurements for the rice and water. Also, I am Asian and am used to making “short grain rice” in my rice cooker. This gives you the Asian sticky rice. Since yours comes out “fluffy”, I’m assuming that your recipe uses long grain or even medium grain rice as opposed to short grain? Thanks!
I made this delicious recipe but I reduced the liquid by 1 cup. The rice was very gummy. Next time I make it I will use 3 cups of liquid which will include the 14oz of diced tomatoes. I’m sure it will be fluffy instead of gummy