Crockpot Spanish Rice Recipe
Heading out to your favorite restaurant is a great way to celebrate Taco Tuesday! But why pay restaurant prices when you can create a delicious Mexican dinner at home with the help of your slow cooker? This Crockpot Spanish rice recipe is the perfect side dish for any Mexican dinner. And the best part is that it's ready with just a few minutes of prep work!
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What Do I Need to Make Crockpot Spanish Rice?
This quick and easy slow cooker recipe makes the perfect side dish for taco night! And since it's so simple to make, you can whip it up in no time thanks to the short list of ingredients. To make your own slow-cooker Spanish rice, you'll need:
- Long grain rice
- Yellow onion
- Tomato sauce
- Green chilies
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Kosher salt
- Dried Mexican oregano
- Ground black pepper
- Chicken broth
- Minced cilantro or sliced green onion for garnish (optional)
How Do I Make Crockpot Spanish Rice?
Although this Spanish rice recipe is packed with flavor, it couldn't be easier to make. That's because all you have to do is mix everything up in your slow cooker and let your Crockpot do all the cooking for you! To make your own Spanish rice at home, follow these simple instructions:
Step One: Add the Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
Add the long-grain rice, yellow onion, tomato sauce, green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, dried Mexican oregano, ground black pepper, and chicken broth in the pot of your slow cooker. Stir to mix all the ingredients together until they're well combined.
Step Two: Cook the Spanish Rice
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Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to cook on high for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours, until the rice is cooked through. When the cook time is up, fluff the rice with a fork and serve immediately.
Crockpot Spanish Rice Recipe Ideas
You'll love how quick and easy this rice side dish is to prepare! And since it's so simple, it's also easy to customize with your additions. Try these recipe ideas to create a delicious dish everyone in your family will love.
- Saute the rice. Add even more flavor to your Spanish rice by taking the time to saute the dry rice before adding it to the slow cooker. Heat the rice in a large skillet over medium-high heat with one tablespoon of butter until the rice is a light golden brown. Browning the rice will help bring out its natural flavor and add richness to the finished side dish.
- Add some meat. Turn your Spanish rice into a full meal by mixing some meat and the ingredients with your slow cooker. Add cooked ground beef or shredded chicken to the pot for a quick and easy meal.
- Stir in some salsa. Kick up your Spanish rice by mixing some salsa into the pot before you start cooking. Add around one cup of chunky salsa to the slow cooker to add some extra tomatoes and a little spice to the finished dish.
- Mix in some vegetables. Round out your side dish with a few extra veggies to create a healthy addition to your next Mexican dinner. Try mixing in some bell peppers, corn, peas, or diced tomatoes.
How Do I Store Spanish Rice?
Everyone in your family will surely scoop up this delicious side dish at tonight's dinner! But if you have a few leftovers when dinner is over, transfer them to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. The leftovers will stay good for up to four days.
You can also store the cooked rice in the freezer for long-term storage. Allow the rice to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. The rice will stay good frozen for up to three months.
Transfer the frozen rice to the refrigerator to thaw before reheating. Then, you can warm it up in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Or heat the leftovers in a 350-degree oven until warmed through.
What is the Best Type of Rice for Slow Cooker Spanish Rice?
When making your Spanish rice in a Crockpot, it's important to choose the right type of rice. You'll need a variety that can withstand a long and slow cooking time without becoming overcooked and mushy.
Long-grain rice is a great option because its long, slender grains are perfect for slow cooking. This type of rice tends to retain its shape and doesn't stick together while it cooks.
What to Serve with Spanish Rice?
There's no need to head out to your favorite restaurant to enjoy a classic Spanish or Mexican meal! With this easy rice recipe, you can recreate your favorite dishes at home. Try serving this easy side dish with one of these dinner recipe ideas:
- Chicken or beef tacos
- Fajitas
- Chicken enchiladas
- Nachos
- Carne asada
- Chili Verde
- Burritos
Crockpot Spanish Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice rinsed and drained
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 4 oz can green chilies undrained
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Optional* minced cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker.
- Stir and cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours, until the rice is cooked through.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve immediately, enjoy!
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