Tomato Bouillon with Spanish Rice: A Tasty, Simple Side Dish
A traditional Mexican-style meal, Spanish Rice is rich, fluffy, and bursting with bright flavours. This recipe is quick and simple to make since it uses tomato bouillon to give it a strong, savoury taste without using real tomatoes.
This one-pot Spanish rice makes a delicious base for burrito bowls or the ideal side dish for tacos, enchiladas, and grilled meats. It’s a terrific approach to keep plain rice authentic and delicious while elevating it with little effort.
The Reasons You’ll Adore This Recipe
✔ Filled with Flavour – The addition of tomato bouillon gives it a deep, rich flavour.
✔ Easy Ingredients – Just basic cupboard items will do; no fresh tomatoes are needed.
✔ Simple One-Pot Dish – Ready in about 30 minutes, with little cleaning.
✔ Compatible with Any Meal — An ideal accompaniment to Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine.
Spanish Rice with Tomato Bouillon – Recipe Card
Main Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Long-grain white rice | 1 cup |
| Vegetable oil or butter | 2 tbsp |
| Water or chicken broth | 2 cups |
| Tomato bouillon (such as Knorr) | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp (adjust if using salted broth) |
| Garlic powder | ½ tsp |
| Onion powder | ½ tsp |
| Cumin | ½ tsp |
| Black pepper | ¼ tsp |
Optional Add-ins:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Diced onions | ¼ cup |
| Peas or diced carrots | ¼ cup |
| Diced jalapeño | 1 small |
Instructions
Step 1: Toast the Rice
1️⃣ In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add uncooked rice and stir frequently for 3–5 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 2: Add Seasonings & Liquids
3️⃣ Stir in tomato bouillon, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and black pepper.
4️⃣ Pour in water or chicken broth, mix well.
Step 3: Simmer the Rice
5️⃣ Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
6️⃣ Cover and let simmer for 18–20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.
7️⃣ Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
8️⃣ Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm.
9️⃣ Garnish with chopped cilantro or lime if desired.
Storage & Reheating
| Storage Method | Time |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months |
| Reheat (Microwave) | 1–2 minutes with a splash of water |
| Reheat (Stovetop) | Low heat with a little broth or water |
🌟 Enjoy your homemade Spanish Rice with Tomato Bouillon! 🍚😊
Detailed Directions
The first step is to toast the rice.
1️⃣ Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2️⃣ Stir in uncooked rice and stir often for 3–5 minutes until golden brown.
🔹 Why is the rice toasted? This prevents the grains from being mushy and intensifies the nutty flavour.
Step 2: Include Liquids and Seasonings
3️⃣ Add the cumin, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and tomato bouillon.
4️⃣ Stir thoroughly after adding water or chicken broth.
🔹 For more flavour depth, sauté the rice with the onions or jalapeños before adding the liquid.
Simmer the rice in step three.
5️⃣ Reduce heat to low after bringing to a gentle boil.
6️⃣ Simmer, covered, until the liquid is completely absorbed, 18–20 minutes.
7️⃣ Take off the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before using a fork to fluff it.
Step 4: Serve and Savour
8️⃣ Use a fork to fluff the rice and serve it warm.
9️⃣ For added freshness, garnish with chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime.
Recommended Servings
This tasty rice goes great with: 🌮 Tacos – Excellent with vegetarian, beef, or chicken tacos.
Burritos – An excellent complement to burrito bowls.
Serve with grilled chicken, steak or shrimp. Mexican Dishes – Goes well with fajitas, enchiladas and other dishes.
Reheating & Storage Advice
✔ In the refrigerator: Keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
✔ Freezer: for up to 2 months, freeze in sections.
Reheat: Reheat on the hob over low heat or in the microwave with a little water.
Differences & Personalisations
Mexican-Style – Add corn or black beans for more texture. Spicy Version – Add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne.
🍅 Tomato-Based – For a fresh taste, use diced tomatoes in place of bouillon.
To make this version, use brown rice and simmer it for 35 to 40 minutes.
Concluding Reflections
Spanish rice with tomato bouillon is a simple, tasty side dish that only requires basic ingredients and can be prepared in one pot. Its savoury, deep flavour makes it the ideal accompaniment to any Mexican-inspired meal.
Are you familiar with this recipe? Tell us in the comments how you prefer to serve it!
