Main Dish Spanish Rice
A flavorful Spanish-inspired beef and bean rice filling wrapped in warm tortillas, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, with savory tomatoes and fresh salsa.
Ingredients
- 14 1/2 oz. can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 3/4 cup quick cooking brown rice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 15 oz. can black beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained ⓘ
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced cooked beef, cut in strips ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salsa ⓘ
- 12 7-inch flour tortillas ⓘ
- plain yogurt (optional) ⓘ
- sliced green onion (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, stir together undrained tomatoes, rice, sugar, garlic powder, water, and pepper.
- Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 12 to 14 minutes or until rice is tender.
- Stir in beans, beef, and salsa; heat together.
- Wrap tortillas in foil.
- Heat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using low-sodium broth instead of water when cooking the rice. You can substitute the beef with shredded chicken or tofu for a different protein option. If you prefer a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce. This dish can also be made vegetarian by omitting the beef and using vegetable broth. Explore more delicious Mexican recipes for variations.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Spanish rice in a large bowl, garnished with sliced green onions and a dollop of plain yogurt for creaminess. Pair it with a fresh side salad or tortilla chips for crunch. This dish also goes well with a side of Cindy'S Taco Soup or can be wrapped in tortillas for a fun twist. Enjoy with your favorite salsa on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to prevent the rice from drying out, and microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a bit of oil if needed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Main Dish Spanish Rice contains roughly 1547 calories, with 78g protein, 315g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (173% of the Daily Value), protein (156% of the Daily Value), and iron (134% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 700mg per serving (30% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spice level, add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the rice mixture. You can also use spicy salsa instead of mild for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).