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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Authentic Spanish Rice Recipe

    Published: Sep 22, 2021 · Modified: Nov 19, 2022 by Felice Kaufman · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    uncle bens spanish rice

    This is my Cuban mother's authentic Spanish Rice Recipe made with Uncle Ben's converted rice and green peas. In 30 minutes, you can have a pot of piping hot, real Cuban Spanish rice, which goes well with almost any main dish.

    spanish_rice

    My mom only uses Uncle Ben's rice to make her Spanish Rice. I've tried this recipe with every other type of white rice and Uncle Ben's is the clear winner every time. It's fluffy and the grains are separate. You're going to love it!

    Try this recipe for restaurant-style Spanish rice. It cooks quickly, and tastes better than what you'll get in any restaurant. You can serve the rice with roasted chicken, chicken fajitas, and/or black beans.

    This recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. See below for Kaufmann Phase 2 Diet recommendations under How to Make Brown Spanish Rice.

    What You Need

    spanish_rice_ingredients
    • Uncle Ben's Converted Rice
    • Green Pepper
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Tomato Sauce
    • Oil
    • Ketchup
    • Frozen Peas
    • Salt & Pepper

    What is Uncle Ben's Converted Rice?

    Spanish rice with peas

    Converted rice is parboiled and pressure cooked, making it slightly darker than white rice. Also, it is less sticky, and cleaning the pot after your meal is a breeze!

    Over the years, I've tried this recipe with Jasmine rice, short grain rice, long grain rice, basmati rice, and so many others. Uncle Ben's rice is the winner every time.

    For the Tomato Sauce

    pomi tomato sauce

    Tomato Sauce, not to be confused with marinara sauce, is near the canned tomatoes in your grocery store. Look for a brand such as Pomi, from Italy, that contains only tomatoes. Most of the other brands contain preservatives, such as citric acid.

    It is available in The Florida Keys at Publix.

    If you can't find Pomi, you can get an 8-ounce can of Del Monte or Hunt's tomato sauce.

    In a pinch, you can use marinara sauce! I've tried it and it works too!

    Do I Have to Defrost the Peas?

    The peas do not have to be defrosted. Frozen peas are one of the few things I keep in my freezer besides meat. Try to get organic peas, but any peas will do.

    • Petite Peas
    • Green Peas or Spring Peas
    • Steam in the bag peas

    Any of these peas will work. They should be uncooked and sodium free.

    How To Make Spanish Rice with Peas

    how_to_make_spanish_rice
    Spanish Rice on stovetop
    1. In a 3-quart saucepan, or small pot, over medium high-heat, add oil. Let it heat for a few minutes.
    2. Add onions and peppers and season with a little salt and pepper. Saute for a few minutes until soft.
    3. Add minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds.
    4. Add remaining ingredients, mix.
    5. Add water, stir.
    6. Raise heat to high; bring to a boil. Give it a stir and lower heat to the lowest setting on your stove.
    7. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
    8. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir it all up and serve hot.

    What Goes with Spanish Rice?

    According to my mom, everything goes with Spanish Rice! Try Seared Chicken Breasts, or Fried Yellowtail. The rice makes a great side for burgers!

    Can I freeze the leftovers?

    Of course, you can freeze the leftovers! I've eaten many bowls of this rice the next day and it will be good in the fridge for up to 4 days, if it lasts that long.

    To freeze, place in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to a month. Put a date on the bag and place it in the back of the freezer where it's not exposed to warm air when you open the door.

    Can I Double this Recipe?

    Yes, you can easily double this recipe. Just use twice as much as each ingredient and use a 4-quart pot. The cooking time will still be 20 minutes.

    How to Make Brown Spanish Rice

    This Spanish Rice recipe is gluten-free. For the Kaufmann Phase Two Diet, you may eat brown rice. I made this recipe with Uncle Ben's Whole Grain brown rice and it works great. The directions are the same; just adjust the cooking time to 30 minutes if you're using Uncle Ben's brown rice and leave out the ketchup. If you have a unique brand or variety of brown rice, follow the cooking time on the box.

    cuban spanish rice
    Print Recipe
    3

    Spanish Rice

    This is my Cuban mother's Spanish Rice recipe. In 30 minutes you can have a pot of piping hot authentic Spanish Rice which goes well with almost any entree. It is fluffy and the grains are separate. You are going to love it!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Sides
    Cuisine: Cuban
    Diet Type: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 179.2kcal
    Author: Felice Kaufman

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion peeled and diced
    • 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
    • 2 garlic cloves pressed or minced
    • 8 oz tomato sauce *see note below
    • 1 ¼ cups water
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup
    • ½ cup frozen peas
    • 1 cup Uncle Ben's converted rice
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a 3-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. 
    • Add onions and peppers and season with a little salt and pepper.  Sauté, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes.
    • Add garlic, and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
    • Add tomato sauce, water, ketchup, peas, rice, one teaspoon of salt, a few grinds of pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.  Stir and lower heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. 
    • Remove from heat. Mix and serve hot.

    Notes

    1 - Over the years, I have tried this recipe with every type of rice. Uncle Ben's converted rice is the clear winner. 
    2- When you are cooking the rice, make sure you have the stove on its very lowest setting and do not lift the cover while it is steaming.
    3 - Tomato sauce comes in an 8 oz. can or carton. It can be found in the canned vegetable aisle at the grocery store. If you purchase low sodium tomato sauce, you will need a little more salt in the final dish, but it will still work.
    4- For the Kaufmann Phase Two Diet,  you may eat brown rice. I've made this recipe with long-grain brown rice and it works great. The directions are the same; just adjust the cooking time to 45 minutes and leave out the ketchup. Send me an email if you have questions at [email protected]

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3.3g | Total Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Sodium: 417.3mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 2.5g | Net Carbohydrates: 28.3g

    More Side Dishes

    • 17 Best Healthy Cauliflower Rice Recipes
    • Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
    • Roasted Asparagus (Paleo, Keto)
    • Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots

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    felice kaufman

    Hi! I'm Felice. Join me on my culinary adventure in Key Largo, Florida, where I eat, cook, shop, and travel for fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, and more!

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