Simple Spanish Rice

Name: Simple Spanish Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ¼ cup vegetable oil; 1 ½ cups instant rice; 1 onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1 (11 ounce) can vegetable juice (such as V8®); 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce; ½ cup water; 1 tablespoon white sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Rating: 4.42 stars

12 Ratings
9 Reviews
6 Photos

This is something my grandmother used to make, but she never used a recipe. It took me a long time to figure out just what she did. I think this is as close to hers as it gets. It's just a simple rice side dish, but if you add a pound of cooked ground beef or chicken you can serve it as a meal. I hope you enjoy.

By Julie Gurganus

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Recipe Summary

prep:

10 mins

cook:

30 mins

total:

40 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir rice, onion, and bell pepper in hot oil until the vegetables are slightly tender and rice is lightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

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Step 2

Stir diced tomatoes, vegetable juice, tomato sauce, water, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the rice mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

359 calories; protein 5.8g 12% DV; carbohydrates 51.5g 17% DV; fat 14.5g 22% DV; cholesterolmg; sodium 1270.2mg 51% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (9)

Most helpful positive review

Sarah Jo

01/25/2013

I don't keep instant rice in the house I used regular long grain rice in place of the instant. It just took a little longer to cook. I also used a red bell pepper instead of green and lime juice instead of lemon juice. The boys really liked this rice especially the youngest. I'd make this again. Read More

Helpful

(6)

Most helpful critical review

Bibi

02/02/2013

Even after leaving out the tomato sauce completely this was too tomato-y for us. The sweet tomato flavor totally predominated this as a side dish. Read More

Helpful

(1)

12 Ratings

5 star values: 7
4 star values: 4
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 1
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Sarah Jo

01/25/2013

Helpful

(6)

trgift

06/07/2014

I have tried this twice now. First time I followed the recipe exactly and found it to be a little bland for my taste. Second time instead of using vegetable juice I used pure tomato juice. Also instead of tomato sauce I used paste. I also added a clove of fresh garlic and a dash of cilantro. I then topped it with mild cheddar cheese and put it in the oven just to melt the cheese. This resulted in a much better finished product and more smiling faces at the dinner table. Read More

Helpful

(5)

mickdee

08/25/2014

We made a meal of this browning boneless skinless chicken breasts first remove cover and setting aside in a warm oven then proceeding with recipe. I did leave the tomato sauce out and thought it was plenty "tomato-y". Used brown rice which has a 50 minute cook time so after 30 minutes I nestled the breasts back in the rice covered again quickly and cooked an additional 20 minutes I also added a cup of defrosted peas when adding the chicken back. Left out the sugar and gave gave a generous squeeze of lemon over all when finished. I would definitely make this again! Look forward to the leftovers for lunch! Thank you! Read More

Helpful

(4)

Katti Cakes

05/24/2015

I followed the instructions without the v8 juice and I thought it was fantastic. I also used brown rice instead but it was still the instant variety so I didn't have to adjust cook times. Loved it! Read More

Helpful

(1)

Bibi

02/01/2013

Even after leaving out the tomato sauce completely this was too tomato-y for us. The sweet tomato flavor totally predominated this as a side dish. Read More

Helpful

(1)

Rachel Surles

02/10/2020

It was definitely more intricate of a recipe, than my grandma used to make. It really didn’t have enough flavor though. My husband did like it though. Read More

Pikklls

07/25/2020

Gotta admit, I didn't think this would work (sugar? lemon?). Followed it to the letter, and it was AWESOME! I did add some cayenne and chili powder at the end, for some heat, but this was super tasty. 10/10 will make again. Read More

Lesleyann Pedro

08/25/2018

Great recipe. I didn t have bell pepper to add but it still turned out perfect and tasted great! Read More

Rebecca Matist

05/21/2020

my family raves about this rice, Im not much for rice in any way but my family says its the best Spanish rice, better than restaurants we eat at. Read More

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All Reviews for Simple Spanish Rice

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Nutritional Information

Simple Spanish Rice

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 359.1

% Daily Value *

protein: 12 %

carbohydrates: 17 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 18 %

sugars:

fat: 22 %

saturated fat: 11 %

cholesterol:

vitamin a iu: 43 %

niacin equivalents: 34 %

vitamin b6: 23 %

vitamin c: 104 %

folate: 31 %

calcium: 8 %

iron: 33 %

magnesium: 12 %

potassium: 18 %

sodium: 51 %

thiamin: 21 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Simple Spanish Rice

1 of 9

All Reviews

Sarah Jo

01/25/2013

Helpful

(6)

trgift

06/07/2014

Helpful

(5)

mickdee

08/25/2014

Helpful

(4)

Katti Cakes

05/24/2015

I followed the instructions without the v8 juice and I thought it was fantastic. I also used brown rice instead but it was still the instant variety so I didn't have to adjust cook times. Loved it!

Helpful

(1)

Bibi

02/01/2013

Even after leaving out the tomato sauce completely this was too tomato-y for us. The sweet tomato flavor totally predominated this as a side dish.

Helpful

(1)

Rachel Surles

02/10/2020

It was definitely more intricate of a recipe, than my grandma used to make. It really didn’t have enough flavor though. My husband did like it though.

Pikklls