Vegan Spanish Rice

a simple trick makes this a flavorful side with just five ingredients. this quick and easy vegan recipe tastes just like the classic Spanish Rice you remember!

recipe originally published January 9, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. 1. Easy Rice Dish
   2. What is Spanish Rice?
   3. How To Make
   4. Recipes Using Simple Spanish Rice
   5. How To Serve
   6. Ingredient Variations
   7. Can You Freeze Cooked Rice?
   8. Simple Spanish Rice Recipe

Easy Rice Dish

Straightforward recipes using just a handful of ingredients are lifesavers in the kitchen.

This simple vegan Spanish Rice recipe is one of those – super flavorful and easy to make because of one shortcut ingredient we’ve been using for years. This easy rice dish is a great addition to all kinds of meals In our kitchen, it has been a star ingredient for burritos, tacos, and enchiladas, or as a base for bowls!

What is Spanish Rice?

Rice was a favorite when I was a kid, and I always craved my mom’s Spanish rice.

Spanish rice is similar to Mexican rice or red rice (Arroz Rojo). One difference between the two is that the Spanish recipe often includes saffron, while the Mexican recipe will likely use cumin.

How To Make Easy Spanish Rice

With just 5 ingredients, you can easily make this Simple Spanish Rice recipe. Using long-grain white rice, yellow onion, green bell pepper or poblano, and a pinch of salt, you’ll have this goodness on your table in no time.

The shortcut ingredient that adds a punch of flavor and makes this such an easy recipe? Tomato juice.

The simple trick is to replace the water with tomato juice to cook the rice. While the rice cooks, I simply sauté an onion and pepper, and…

that is literally it. So quick, so easy, so few ingredients.

Fresh flavor tip: add a fresh squeeze of lime just before serving.

Recipe Variations / Sub Ingredients

There aren’t many variations or substitutes with this recipe – the great thing is its simplicity!

• Tomato Juice: In place of tomato juice, you can sub vegetable juice – like the V8 juice in those small cans.
• Bell Pepper: Another substitution I often make is a poblano instead of green bell pepper. The poblano adds so much flavor. It is very mild, but has an earthy taste to it, which is a great addition to a Spanish Rice dish. 

Recipes using this Spanish rice

We often fill our enchiladas and burritos with rice. We sometimes use cauliflower rice. When I want an extra layer of flavor in a dish, I use this vegan Spanish Rice recipe! 

Some favorites:

• Cheesy Hatch Chile Enchiladas: the ultimate comfort food and and easy meal planning dish, this is among our most popular potluck and food train recipes! often requested.
• Vegan Quesarito: this crispy cheesy tube of tasty is our homemade vegan version of the drive thru classic. plan to make some the next time you make Spanish rice!
• Freakin’ Big Burrito: this burrito is already super delicious with a bunch of great fillings, and using Spanish rice over regular adds another layer of flavor!

Recipes to serve with this red rice

You’ll find this quick and easy recipe is such a hit with your family, you’ll make it whenever you can! Serve with your favorite protein, or even with a salad. When Taco Tuesday rolls around, you’ll also have a delicious recipe on hand.

Here are some meal ideas for serving red rice:

• Mango Habanero Guacamole: another must have side dish! a perfect blend of spicy and sweet, everyone loves this one. hint: make a double batch.
• Fire Roasted Poblano Chilaquiles: a delicious skillet breakfast or dinner for holidays or any time of year. generously sauced chips are the star of this dish.
• Southwest Black Bean Burgers: this is a quick and easy recipe for a burger that does not fall apart! great meal prep idea that everyone loves!
• Enchilada Dip: a super popular recipe, with good reason – everyone loves it! easy to make, this unique dip is a bowl of straight up comfort food! serve as a sauce for vegan tamales.
• Jalapeño Margarita: everyone’s favorite summertime cocktail gets a spicy kick! margaritas are essential to a summertime gathering, yes? yes.

Can you freeze cooked rice?

If you made too much Spanish rice – on purpose, right? –  you can freeze it.

Once the rice has cooled, transfer up to 3-4 cups into a large freezer bag. Press it flat and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Don’t forget to add a date, and consume the Spanish Rice within 3 months. 

Did You Make This Vegan Spanish Rice? 

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Yield: four to six servings

Simple Spanish Rice

Print

Simple Spanish Rice - a very simple trick makes this flavorful Spanish rice with five ingredients total - tastes just like the classic and familiar Spanish rice you remember!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups tomato juice, divided
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 1 pepper – green bell or poblano, seeded and diced
• pinch salt

Instructions

1. In saucepan over high heat, bring 1 3/4 cups tomato juice to boil.
2. Add rice, stir to combine and cover with lid. Reduce to simmer, cook for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed (do not uncover until at least 15 minutes has passed).
3. Meanwhile, sauté onion and pepper in a bit of water until soft and translucent. Remove from heat, set aside until rice is ready.
4. Once rice is done, fluff with fork and add pinch of salt, remaining 1/4 cup tomato juice, and sautéed onion and pepper. Stir to combine.

Notes

To Freeze:

Once the rice has cooled, transfer up to 3-4 cups into a large freezer bag. Press it flat and remove as much air as possible before sealing. Don’t forget to add a date, and consume the Spanish Rice within 3 months. 

Recipe Variations / Sub Ingredients

There aren’t many variations or substitutes with this recipe - the great thing is its simplicity!

If you don't have tomato juice on hand, you can sub vegetable juice - like the V8 juice in those small cans.

One substitution I will often make is using a poblano instead of green bell pepper. The poblano adds so much flavor and it helps to switch things up in the dish. You’ll find that a poblano is very mild, but has an earthy taste to it, which is a great addition to a Spanish Rice dish. 

Recommended Products

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• 
  Cuisinart Stainless Saucepan 1 1/2 qt
• 
  Cutting Board
• 
  Chef Knife
• 
  Glass Food Prep Container Set

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 187Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 224mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

about Kristina:

Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food!  Read more…

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.