Spanish Rice (A Texas Family Favorite)

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This Spanish rice recipe is a Texas family favorite made with bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and jalapeños. Serve it as a hearty side dish or enjoy it as a meal on its own.

Some recipes don’t come from cookbooks.

They come from family gatherings, church potlucks, and conversations between siblings.

When I asked my brother for the Spanish rice recipe we grew up eating at family get-togethers, I wasn’t expecting a recipe reconstruction project. His directions were simple: bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, jalapeños, and rice. After a little testing and tweaking, I ended up with a hearty pot of Spanish rice that tasted just like I remembered.

This isn’t restaurant-style Spanish rice. It’s a family-style version loaded with smoky bacon, colorful peppers, tomatoes, and just enough jalapeño to keep things interesting. It’s hearty enough to serve as a meal on its own but also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, burgers, fajitas, steaks, and other backyard favorites.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy one-pot meal
• Great side dish for grilled meats
• Budget-friendly ingredients
• Feeds a crowd
• Perfect for family gatherings
• Freezes beautifully

Ingredients

You’ll find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a glance at what you’re going to need to make this delicious rice recipe. These are simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry or refrigerator.

• 1 pound hearty bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (or half red and half yellow)
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 2–3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños
• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 5 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Spanish Rice

This comes together so easily and it’s the perfect side dish with any of our proteins.

Chop vegetables and set aside.

Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot until partially cooked but not yet crisp.

Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened.

Drain off excess grease if desired, leaving enough behind to flavor the vegetables and rice.

Stir in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and jalapeños.

Add the uncooked rice and stir until well coated.

Pour in the chicken broth and season generously with salt and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 25–35 minutes.

If the rice begins to look dry before it becomes tender, add a little additional broth as needed.

Fluff with a fork before serving.

Serve and enjoy! (You can add a bit of cilantro before serving. It adds both flavor and color!)

Variations

Add Chicken

Stir in 2–3 cups of cooked shredded chicken to turn this side dish into a complete meal.

Make It Spicier

Add additional jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Add Sausage

Replace part of the bacon with sliced smoked sausage for a heartier version.

What to Serve with Spanish Rice

We’ve got so many great proteins that will pair great with this spanish rice dish. Choose from any of the following:

Drunken Chicken: Also known as Beer Butt Chicken or Beer-in-the-Rear chicken. This is a popular barbecue and grilling technique for cooking chicken, and it’s the method we used for ours. You’re going to love this simple but delicious recipe.

World’s Best Butter Burgers: If you’re looking for the world’s most delicious burger, packed full of flavor and loaded with buttery goodness, this is the recipe for you. These really are the world’s best butter burgers. . .we promise!

Skirt Steak Fajitas: Make juicy grilled skirt steak fajitas with this easy Texas-style marinade! These charcoal-grilled beef fajitas are packed with lime, garlic, and cilantro flavor.

Smoked Meatloaf: Smoked meatloaf takes a backyard classic to the next level! Juicy ground beef, Italian sausage, and veggies are slow-smoked to perfection, then topped with a sweet and tangy glaze. Perfect for family dinners or weekend cookouts.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket: If you love smoked beef brisket, but the thought of making one yourself feels daunting, this post is for you. This Texas-Style brisket is juicy, tender and full of flavor. And it’s so easy to make!

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions about Spanish Rice? We’ve got answers!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the flavors become even better after a day in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze Spanish rice?

Absolutely. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to three months.

Can I use different colored peppers?

Yes. Red, yellow, orange, or green peppers all work well.

Is this the same as Mexican rice?

Not exactly. This family recipe is heartier and contains bacon, peppers, and jalapeños.

Can I use water instead of broth?

You can, but chicken broth adds significantly more flavor.

Can I make this a meal instead of a side dish?

Yes. Add cooked chicken or sausage for a complete one-pot meal.

How spicy is it?

Mild to moderate. Most of the heat comes from the pickled jalapeños.

Can I use fresh jalapeños?

Yes, though pickled jalapeños add a unique tangy flavor.

What type of rice works best?

Long-grain white rice produces the best texture.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Add a splash of broth or water and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.