Spanish Rice for a BBQ
“Transport your taste buds to sunny Spain with this flavorful Spanish Rice recipe, perfect for your next BBQ gathering. Fragrant long grain rice, infused with garlic and Knorr’s signature tomato and chicken flavors, creates a mouthwatering base for any grilled feast. Follow these simple steps to achieve a golden, aromatic rice dish that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or veggies. ¡Buen provecho!”
Spanish Rice for a BBQ
Ingredients:
3 cups long grain rice
1/4 cup oil less or more can be used this is my preference
2 garlic cloves
Chopped onion (optional)
Knorr tomate & knorr chicken to taste
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
6 cups very hot water
6 sprigs Cilantro
Directions :
Add oil to a pan with the garlic cloves add your rice and brown until golden.
Add water the knorr to your liking and granulated garlic.
Stir well bring to a raging boil add cilantro turn to low cover and cook 25 minutes do not stir or uncover… and done!
Enjoy!!
Notes:
Rice Choice and Preparation: Long-grain rice is ideal for Spanish rice due to its fluffy texture when cooked. Rinsing the rice before toasting helps remove excess starch, resulting in better texture.
Cooking Technique: Browning the rice in oil with garlic enhances its flavor before adding hot water and seasonings like Knorr tomate and Knorr chicken. Stirring well and bringing to a boil before simmering with cilantro allows the flavors to meld.
Variations and Substitutions: This recipe offers various substitutions and variations. For instance, you can use white or brown rice, leftover precooked rice, or even riced cauliflower for a lower-carb option.
Additions and Enhancements: Customize the dish by incorporating shredded chicken and vegetables for a one-pot meal, or black beans for a heartier dish. For added spice, include diced jalapeño or cayenne pepper.
Optional Toppings: Serve the Spanish rice with optional toppings like shredded Mexican cheese, diced avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh chopped cilantro, diced red onion, or black olives for added flavor and texture.
Seasoning and Flavoring: Traditional seasonings include tomato, garlic, cumin, and oregano, with sazón seasoning blend adding depth. Adjust seasoning to taste and explore with different herbs and spices.
Make-Ahead and Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat with a sprinkle of water to prevent drying out.
Optional Ingredients and Customization: Feel free to customize the recipe with additional vegetables, spices, or herbs to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
Cooking Tips: To achieve perfect Spanish rice, allow the rice to rest and steam after cooking, ensuring a dreamy texture. Cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel and lid, then fluff with a fork before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 cup (cooked)
Calories: 200 | Carbohydrates: 40 grams | Fat: 5 grams | Protein: 3 grams | Fiber: 1 grams
Variations:
Substitute rice:
White or brown rice can be used.
This is also great with leftover pre cooked rice!
You can make this recipe lower carb by using riced cauliflower to make Spanish cauliflower rice.
Spanish chicken and rice:
Make this a one pot meal and add in some shredded chicken and vegetables.
Spanish rice and beans:
I love adding either drained black beans or pinto beans to this rice.
Make it spicier:
For heat add in diced jalapeno with the onion.
You can also add in a pinch of cayenne.
Vegetarian:
Substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock to make this easy Spanish rice vegetarian!
Optional Toppings For Rice
Shredded Mexican cheese
Diced avocado
Sour cream or greek yogurt
Fresh chopped cilantro
Diced red onion
Black olives
Frequently Asked Questions:
What type of rice works best?
I love using long grain rice when making Spanish rice.
When cooked it stays fluffy and doesn’t stick together.
I also recommend rinsing your rice before toasting it.
This helps to remove some of the starch from the grain.
Can I use a different type of rice?
Yes, you can use a different type of rice, but keep in mind that the cooking time and liquid ratio may vary.
Adjust the cooking instructions accordingly.
Can Spanish rice be frozen?
Yes! Store cooked rice in a Ziplock bag and make sure to get out as much air as possible.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months!
When you are ready to eat simply thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours.
Warm up in the microwave or skillet with extra chicken stock to keep the rice from drying out.
How do you season Spanish rice?
The staple seasonings are tomato, garlic, cumin, and oregano, but we decided to give this version a boost with some sazón seasoning blend, which is a staple seasoning mix in many Latin dishes.
It’s typically a blend of coriander, cumin, achiote, garlic powder, oregano, salt & pepper, and it can also include MSG, which adds more depth of flavor.
You can find it in the spice aisle or the international aisle at the grocery store.
How do I keep Spanish rice from being undercooked?
To keep the dreamy rice texture we all crave instead of a mushy or undercooked pot of grains, the rice should be allowed to rest and gently steam for 5 to 10 minutes after it’s cooked.
Simply cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel and a lid, and let it sit before fluffing it with a fork and adding the cilantro.
How can I make Spanish rice vegan?
If you’re in the market for a vegan version, all you’ll need to do is swap the chicken broth for your favorite low-sodium vegetable broth.
And if you’re all out of vegetable broth, water works well too!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Sprinkle a few drops of water on the rice before reheating it so that it doesn’t dry out.
Is the chopped onion necessary?
The chopped onion is listed as an optional ingredient.
You can choose to include it for added flavor and texture, or omit it if you prefer.
What is Knorr tomate and Knorr chicken?
Knorr tomate and Knorr chicken are seasoning products that add flavor to the rice.
You can adjust the quantities to your taste preferences, adding more or less according to your liking.
Can I substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder?
Yes, you can substitute the fresh garlic cloves with garlic powder.
Use about 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder as a replacement for the 2 garlic cloves.
Can I customize the recipe by adding other ingredients?
Absolutely! You can customize the recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or carrots for added color and nutrition.
You can also add spices or herbs of your choice to enhance the flavor further.