By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 6
136 cal · 55 min
Spanish Rice
Recipe GLPR9fe45e4a0baa4f
A warm and aromatic Spanish rice dish made with brown rice, sautéed vegetables, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and a hint of chipotle heat. This wholesome one-pot meal is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and makes a satisfying main course or side dish.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups uncooked brown rice
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cups water
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the hot oil. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
Pour in the uncooked brown rice and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to lightly toast and absorb the oil. This develops a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Add the water, canned diced tomatoes with green chiles (including the liquid), salt, and minced chipotle pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow any remaining liquid to be absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve warm.
Comments
Every ingredient is a standard stock item at Charlotte chains like Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Walmart—no special trips required. The cost per serving runs about $0.75 to $0.90, driven mainly by the brown rice and canned tomatoes, which is genuinely cheap for a six-serving side. The stated 55 minutes is honest for browning rice and simmering, though a home cook should expect closer to 50-60 depending on stove heat. This works as a reliable weeknight side dish that reheats well and needs only occasional stirring, but it lands as a solid supporting player rather than memorable—the chipotle pepper adds genuine heat and character, which elevates it past plain Spanish rice, but it's still a straightforward one-pot rice pilaf without the wow factor that pushes recipes to 4.5 or higher.
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