Simple Spanish Rice Recipe – a very simple trick makes this flavorful side with five ingredients total – tastes just like the classic and familiar dish you remember!
Vegan Spanish Rice
This vegan Spanish rice is a revamp of a childhood favorite. Mom had a couple dinner standards where a simple Spanish rice recipe was the side. I loved rice as a kid, and the flavored Spanish version was no different.
I remember my mom’s recipe and method requiring several ingredients and steps. Quite a few years ago, I wondered if I could use a certain ingredient to cut down on both time and ingredient list.
It worked.
Very well.
Spanish Rice Recipe
I make this often. I roll it up in enchiladas, we stuff it into burritos, enjoy it as a side dish or even a warm salad topper. I like my warm salad toppers.
The simple trick is replacing the water with tomato juice for cooking 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.
Five.
Plus salt, if you want it.
Add some beans to this and you might have yourself a lunch.
recipes using Simple Spanish Rice:
so yum.
Simple Spanish Rice
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!
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
- In saucepan over high heat, bring 1 3/4 cups tomato juice to boil.
- 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).
- Meanwhile, sauté onion and pepper in a bit of water until soft and translucent. Remove from heat, set aside until rice is ready.
- 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 174
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…
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Christine from Cook the Story says
I wouldn’t have thought to use tomato juice. What a great idea!
Kristina Sloggett says
I rarely cook quinoa with just plain water… I figured why not try? SO good.
Jules says
Speaking of quinoa – could I try this using quinoa? Do you think it would absorb the tomato juice the way rice does? If so, should I use the same amount of tomato juice? Thx much!!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I can’t believe you just posted this Kristina. I was just reminiscing about the Spanish rice my mom would make as a kid. I’ve never been able to figure out what she used, but all of her cooking was pretty much simple, inexpensive and can-based. I’m wondering now if this is exactly what she made (okay, she added bacon), as we always had tomato juice in a can in the cupboard.
Kristina Sloggett says
my mom’s recipe was always more involved, but this one tastes JUST like it!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I love this simple rice. I’ve been making a version of it for years and never called it Spanish rice – but I do see how that works.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I LOVE Spanish rice sooo much!
Kristina Sloggett says
we do too, Rebecca! I ate so many spoonfuls of this right out of the pot… 😉
cristina says
Lovely texture to your Spanish rice. Will try making it with tomato juice, thanks for sharing! 😉
Kristina Sloggett says
thank YOU for reading, Cristina!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love Spanish rice. Glad to know it’s so easy to make. 🙂
Kristina Sloggett says
very!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
Brilliant! All the flavor, half the work, nice job – looks delicious!
Kristina Sloggett says
it really is, Debra! simple comfort food, really.
Nibbles By Nic says
Tomato Juice huh?? Love that idea! Also that it was a childhood fave. Best things to make!
Kristina Sloggett says
I have always loved rice in all forms… plain rice with butter was my childhood staple, ha!