Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe

When it comes to quick yet flavorful side dishes, few things match the ease and taste of a good Spanish rice. Today, we’re diving into a home-style Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe that packs serious flavor with just a few pantry staples. This one-pot wonder is a delicious blend of rich tomatoes, garlic, saffron, and colorful vegetables.

Using Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Rice as the base makes this recipe incredibly easy to whip up on a busy night. It comes pre-flavored, saving you time while still delivering authentic Spanish-style taste. We just elevate it with a few simple, fresh ingredients.

Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled chicken, tacos, or enjoying it on its own, this rice dish is hearty, aromatic, and filled with colorful veggies-perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

What Does Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Taste Like?

This Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice is savory and aromatic with just the right touch of spice and richness. The garlic-both fresh and powdered-lays a flavorful foundation, while a pinch of salt balances everything beautifully.

What truly elevates this dish is the saffron. That subtle, luxurious flavor gives the rice an earthy depth that feels like something you’d find in a Mediterranean kitchen. The cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a slightly chewy texture and tangy punch.

Mixed vegetables add freshness, while the optional beans bring in an earthy, creamy component. Altogether, the dish is warm, inviting, and incredibly satisfying with each bite.

Ingredients Required for Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice

• 1 packet Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Rice (about 2 cups)
• 2 ½ cups water
• 1–2 tsp cooking oil
• 1 tsp pureed garlic
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of real Spanish saffron
• Handful of cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1–2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• ¼ cup frozen Italian-blend vegetables
• Optional: Cooked beans (black, kidney, or pinto)

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Medium pot with lid
2. Measuring cups and spoons
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Knife and chopping board

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

How to Make Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice at home

1. Heat the Oil & Toast the Rice
In a medium pot over medium heat, add 1–2 teaspoons of oil. Pour in the Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Rice and stir for about 1 minute to lightly toast the grains.

2. Add Garlic & Seasonings
Stir in the pureed garlic, a dash of garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle in a small amount of real Spanish saffron for that classic, aromatic flavor.

3. Add Tomatoes
Add halved cherry tomatoes and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pot. Let everything cook together for 2–3 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften.

4. Mix in the Vegetables
Add a small handful of frozen Italian-style mixed vegetables. Stir and cook for another minute to blend the flavors.

5. Pour in the Water & Simmer
Add 2 ½ cups of water. Stir everything well, cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.

6. Finish & Serve
Once done, fluff the rice with a fork. If desired, gently fold in some cooked beans for added texture and nutrition. Serve hot and enjoy!

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice

1. With Grilled Chicken Thighs
This rice shines next to juicy, grilled chicken thighs. We love marinating them in lemon, garlic, and smoked paprika-it really brings out the saffron notes in the rice.

2. Stuffed in Bell Peppers
One of our favorite tricks: hollow out some bell peppers, stuff them with this rice (and maybe a little cheese), then bake until tender. It makes a gorgeous, complete meal.

3. As a Burrito Filling
Wrap the rice with some black beans, shredded cheese, and salsa in a warm tortilla. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for quick lunches.

4. Topped with a Fried Egg
For a simple, comforting meal, top a bowl of this rice with a sunny-side-up egg. The yolk mixing into the warm rice? Pure heaven.

5. Served Alongside Fish Tacos
We often pair this rice with crispy fish tacos. It complements the lime and slaw beautifully, and balances the textures with ease.

6. With Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
This is one of our go-tos for weekend meals. The savory, rich pork layered over the flavorful rice makes for an unforgettable combo.

7. As a Side to Spanish-Style Meatballs
Tiny meatballs simmered in tomato sauce and served over this rice? Yes, please. The flavors meld together so well, it almost tastes like a dish from a cozy tapas bar.

8. In a Power Bowl with Avocado and Beans
We like building wholesome rice bowls with this as a base-topped with avocado slices, beans, corn, and a little sour cream. Great for meal prep too.

9. With Sauteed Shrimp and Lemon Zest
Shrimp cooks in minutes, and when seasoned with garlic and lemon, it makes this rice sing. The citrus wakes everything up in the best way.

10. With Roasted Vegetables and Feta
Toss together some roasted zucchini, peppers, and onions, then sprinkle feta over the warm rice. It’s a great meatless option we keep coming back to.

Some Tips on This Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe

1. Use a little oil
Just a tiny spoon of oil helps the rice not stick to the pot.

2. Turn the heat to low
Cook the rice slow and low. That way, it comes out soft and yummy.

3. Mix the garlic well
Stir the garlic in so every bite tastes good.

4. Don’t forget the saffron
Saffron makes the rice smell and taste fancy-just use a small pinch!

5. Cut the tomatoes small
Little tomato pieces cook faster and mix better with the rice.

6. Add just a few veggies
You only need a handful of frozen veggies to make it colorful and healthy.

7. Watch the water
Use about 2 and a half cups of water-just enough to cover the rice.

8. Let it sit after cooking
After it’s done, let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes. It helps the rice get fluffy.

9. Try beans if you want
Beans make it extra filling! Add them at the end if you like them.

10. Taste before serving
Try a small bite. If it needs more salt or spice, add a little bit more!

How to Store and Reheat Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice

To store Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice, let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For reheating, add a splash of water and warm it in a covered skillet over low heat or microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through and fluffy again.

Common Queries on This Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice that people often ask.

1. How do you cook Uncle Ben’s Spanish rice?

From our kitchen to yours-it’s super simple! We just heat a little oil in a pot, add the rice straight from the Uncle Ben’s packet, and toast it slightly to bring out the flavors. Then we add garlic, a pinch of saffron, some veggies, and water. Let it simmer covered on low until fluffy. It’s done in about 20 minutes and always turns out great!

2. How can I make Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice taste better?

Ah, this is where the fun begins! While it tastes decent on its own, we love jazzing it up with sautéed garlic, cherry tomatoes, a few sun-dried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of saffron. Adding a handful of frozen veggies or a scoop of beans really makes it feel homemade and heartier. It takes no extra time but tastes ten times better.

3. What makes Uncle Ben’s rice different from regular rice?

Great question. Uncle Ben’s rice is parboiled and pre-seasoned, which makes it quicker to cook and more flavorful right out of the pack. The grains stay fluffy and separate, and it’s super forgiving-perfect for busy weeknights or anyone new to cooking.

4. Can I use regular rice instead of Uncle Ben’s Spanish style?

You can, but the result won’t have quite the same flavor. Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Rice comes pre-seasoned, which saves time. If you do use plain rice, you’ll need to add tomato sauce, bouillon, and seasonings to match the taste.

5. Is it necessary to add saffron?

Technically no, but we highly recommend it! Even a small pinch of real Spanish saffron gives the rice a beautiful golden hue and subtle earthy flavor. It’s a simple ingredient that brings a lot of magic to the dish.

6. What vegetables go best with Spanish rice?

We usually toss in frozen Italian-blend veggies-peas, carrots, and green beans work perfectly. Cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes also add color and richness. You can get creative with bell peppers, corn, or even spinach if you like.

7. Can I add protein to make it a full meal?

Absolutely! Sometimes we stir in cooked black beans, pinto beans, or even leftover grilled chicken or shrimp. It turns the dish into a complete, protein-packed meal without much extra work.

8. Can I microwave this recipe instead of stovetop?

The Ready Rice version of Uncle Ben’s can be microwaved, yes. But for this enhanced version with garlic, saffron, and veggies, we definitely recommend the stovetop for better flavor and texture. Trust us, the few extra minutes are worth it.

9. Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! It’s flavorful but not spicy, and the vegetables blend right in. Kids love the soft texture and tomato-forward taste. If they’re picky, just leave out the sun-dried tomatoes or saffron and keep it simple.

10. How do you store and reheat the leftovers?

Just store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge. It reheats well in the microwave with a splash of water, or you can warm it up in a skillet for a slightly toasted finish. Either way, it tastes just as good the next day!

This Uncle Ben’s Spanish Rice Recipe is as easy as it is delicious. By adding just a few fresh ingredients, you take a simple boxed mix and turn it into something extraordinary. Try it out the next time you need a fast, flavorful side-and don’t forget to bookmark or share this recipe if you love it!

Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.