This Spanish rice with salsa recipe is probably the easiest Spanish rice recipe ever. It is essentially just two ingredients: Rice and Salsa. Yet, it tastes amazing!
So, I was walking around my living room like a dinosaur the other day. It’s just one of my many talents. It was my attempt at a goofy response to my wife asking me to get something for her off the table. However, I was so deep into dinosaur mode that I realized I didn’t really even hear what she asked me to do. What I had originally intended to be merely a goofy response to her question instead turned into a grown man lost in his own dino role-play. By the time I realized this, stopped and turned to look at my wife with a puzzled “what am I supposed to be doing” look on my face, she was already laughing pretty hard at me.
What does this have to do with my Spanish rice with salsa recipe? Well, much like a dinosaur walk, a good Spanish rice recipe is a great way to command attention at the dinner table.
OK, truth be told, that analogy was a stretch. I just wanted to tell my dinosaur story. Rawr.
Easy Spanish Rice
Seriously though, this Spanish rice with salsa recipe is a godsend. It is so easy, you really only need to purchase two ingredients for it. 1 cup of white rice and 16 oz of salsa. However, tasting it you would never know how easy it was to prepare. The salsa really amps up the flavor! There are more cumbersome and traditional Spanish rice recipes out there, but after tasting this recipe I doubt you will ever have the motivation to try anything more laborious.
How to Prepare Rice
To make this recipe even easier I recommend purchasing a mesh strainer (afilliate link). I love using it to rinse the rice under the faucet before I cook it. Rinsing rice thoroughly helps remove excess starch that will cause your rice to be a clumpy sticky paste when it is done cooking. My mesh strainer is a staple in my kitchen as it is an excellent, low cost, multitasker.
Spanish Rice with Salsa
Making Spanish Rice with Salsa is just as easy as making white rice. You simply add the liquid and rice in a medium saucepan and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. However, since salsa adds additional liquid to the party, we cut back the water used slightly. Once all of the ingredients are added to the sauce pan I stir it briefly so they fully incorporate. The dish is done once the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Spanish Rice with Salsa - The Easiest Spanish Recipe Recipe Ever
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 16 oz salsa
- 1 ¾ cup water
- Cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse rice in water to remove excess starch.
- Add rice to saucepan with water, salt, and salsa. Stir briefly and cover with a lid.
- Heat to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer until the water is absorbed by rice.
- The Spanish rice is done when the rice is soft and the water has soaked fully into the rice and/or evaporated.
- Top with chopped cilantro.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com April 20, 2015.
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Mary
Can you make in a crockpot
Fox Valley Foodie
This is best made on the stovetop or the rice would be very mushy.
Leslie
Delicious and easy! Toasted the rice - thanks to the commenters who suggested that.
Jack
Stunningly easy and it's excellent. You can vary the taste with different salsas. My wife likes Newman's Mango Salsa it's really good.
lauren
Perfect meal for busy families AND a welcome solution for seniors needing nutritious, delicious recipes without complicated ingredients, measuring, shopping lists and clean-up. We'll be enjoying this recipe every week.
Jen
Would making this in a rice cooker work?
Fox Valley Foodie
I am not sure, it doesn't hurt to try it.
Chris
I make it in rice cooker all the time I would suggest toasting the uncooked rice in like a tablespoon oil in frying pan. Toast until fragrant.
Kansas Foodie
You are funny! But as an old friend of mine used to say, looks aren't everything 😉
I was looking to use up an unopened but soon to expire tub of salsa, and Spanish rice was the first thing that came to mind! Thanks for the validation - I'm gonna give this a try 2nite with some brown jasmine rice. YUMMM!
Holly Middleton
I love brown rice. Do you think that could work fine, as long as I cook it enough? Will rate recipe after I try it tomorrow! Thanks.
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes that will work but your cooking time will be significantly longer.
Holly
It was delicious with brown rice! Only took about 45 minutes (I also sautéed the rice first, following the advice of Jennifer above).
Fox Valley Foodie
Fantastic! Thanks for letting me know!
Jennifer
This is by far the best (and easiest) Spanish rice recipe out there. For a little extra depth of flavor, I'll sometimes brown the rice in a bit of olive oil before adding in the other ingredients.
Fox Valley Foodie
Browning the rice is a fantastic idea that works well, I have done that in the past too!
Cat W.
Can you be more precise about the size of the jar of salsa? We buy stuff in bulk...
This looks so awesome and easy, can't wait to try it.
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for your comment, it really is one of my favorite recipes. I use 16oz jars of salsa, and I have updated the recipe to reflect that! 🙂