Description
This easy Spanish Rice recipe combines fresh ingredients and vibrant spices to create a warm, flavorful, plant-based dish perfect for quick dinners. With tender long-grain rice, aromatic vegetables, and a savory tomato base, it delivers comforting depth and color that works well as a hearty side or satisfying main.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (natural flavoring)
Flavor Base
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (natural)
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and red bell pepper, cooking until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic.
- Toast the Rice: Add the long-grain rice to the skillet and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until each grain is lightly toasted, giving the rice a lovely nutty flavor and preventing it from becoming mushy.
- Build the Flavor Base: Pour in the diced tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), vegetable broth, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice cook undisturbed for about 18-20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
- Brighten and Serve: Remove from heat. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in fresh lime juice (natural) and chopped cilantro. Serve warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Use fresh tomatoes when possible for a brighter, fresher flavor than canned alternatives.
- Do not lift the lid during cooking to trap steam and cook the rice perfectly.
- If using rice alternatives like brown rice, increase broth slightly and cook longer for tenderness.
- Lightly toast cumin and smoked paprika before adding broth to enhance their flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Spanish Rice, Plant-Based Rice Recipe, Quick Dinner, Gluten Free, Vegan, Easy Spanish Rice
