By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
214 cal · 25 min
Zesty Spanish Rice
Recipe GLPR7273ac70246f65
A vibrant, quick-cooking Spanish rice dish infused with the bold flavors of salsa. This simple yet satisfying recipe combines fluffy long-grain rice with zesty tomato salsa, butter, and fresh parsley for a side that's perfect alongside beans, grilled vegetables, or proteins. Ready in under 30 minutes, it brings authentic Spanish flair to your table with minimal effort.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
1 cup Long-grain rice
½ cup Salsa
1½ cups Water
¾ teaspoon Coarse salt
Fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Melt the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the long-grain rice to the melted butter and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until the rice grains are lightly toasted and aromatic.
Pour in the salsa and stir well to coat the rice evenly with the zesty mixture.
Add the water and coarse salt, then bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and simmer for approximately 18–20 minutes until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 2 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking gently.
Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish generously with fresh parsley leaves and serve warm.
Comments
All ingredients are stocked at every Charlotte-area chain—butter, rice, salsa, and fresh parsley are reliable finds even at Walmart and ALDI. Cost per serving runs under $1.50 because rice is the anchor and salsa does the heavy lifting for flavor without extra proteins or specialty items. The stated 25 minutes is honest for the actual cook time, though the rice needs to sit for 5 to 10 minutes after the liquid absorbs, so expect closer to 30 minutes total from cold pan to plate. This is a solid weeknight side that reheats well in the microwave and works equally well with grilled chicken, beans, or as a base for leftovers, though fresh parsley wilts slightly on reheating and is better stirred in after warming.
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