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–+ servings
Vegan Spanish rice on a plate.

30-Minute Vegan Spanish Rice

Mitch Chapman
If you're on the hunt for a simple yet delicious side dish, look no further than this vegan Spanish rice recipe! It only requires a few pantry staples but provides a vibrant, fluffy, and aromatic accompaniment to any meal.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Mexican, Spanish, Vegan
Servings 8 servings
Calories 223.9 kcal

Equipment

  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups
  • Saucepan

Ingredients
 

US Customary - Metric
  • 2 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or neutral vegetable oil)
  • ½ large white onion (finely diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (rinsed & drained)
  • 7 ounces (1 small can) crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
  • 2 ¾ cups vegetable broth (or water)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or high-walled skillet over medium. Sauté the diced onions for 4 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the rice and continue cooking for 5-6 minutes, allowing it to toast slightly.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
  • Take the pan off the heat and let the rice stand with the lid on for another 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork, then serve your vegan Spanish rice immediately with cilantro or other fresh herbs on top. Happy eating!

Video

Notes

  • Use the right rice: Use long-grain white rice for the best texture. It doesn’t stick together like medium or short-grain rice varieties.
  • Rinse your rice: Always rinse the rice to remove excess starch, which can make the recipe gummy.
  • Toast thoroughly: Don’t rush toasting the rice. It's key for flavor development.
  • Use a lid: Use a tight-fitting lid to ensure the steam is evenly distributed and the rice cooks evenly.
  • Simmer gently: Keep the heat low when simmering to prevent burning the bottom.
  • Resist stirring: Once the rice is simmering, don't stir. It can make the rice sticky.
  • Check for doneness: If the liquid is absorbed but the rice isn’t tender, add a bit more liquid and continue cooking.
  • Resting time: Let the rice rest after cooking it. This allows the grains to set and become fluffy.
  • Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 223.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.8g | Protein: 3.9g | Fat: 4.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Sodium: 358.7mg | Potassium: 140.5mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 2.1g | Vitamin A: 225.6IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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