By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
237 cal · 30 min
Shortcut Spanish Rice
Recipe GLPR2c48be14bd7c62
A quick and flavorful Spanish rice made by toasting long-grain white rice in butter, then simmering it with cumin, salsa, and water until tender and infused with vibrant seasoning. Perfect as a side dish or light main course.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup long grain white rice
½ teaspoon ground cumin
12 ounces chunky red salsa
12 ounces water
Directions
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the rice and stir constantly for about 3 minutes to lightly toast the grains and enhance their nutty flavor.
Stir in the ground cumin, then pour in the salsa and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid, then uncover, stir gently, and continue cooking uncovered for 5–10 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes. Serve warm, optionally garnished with diced red onion, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.
Comments
Every ingredient is in stock at every Charlotte grocer, and the cost per serving is under a dollar—just rice, butter, and salsa. The 30-minute estimate is honest for rice that simmers covered; this is genuinely quick for a weeknight side. It reheats well and plays nicely as a family dish that needs no fussy technique or constant attention. The only reason this is not a 5.0 is that red salsa is not a particularly Southern move when fresh tomatoes, peppers, or collard greens would anchor a rice dish more interestingly to Charlotte's local seasons and pantry habits.
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