Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice Review

Trader Joe's Spanish Style Rice
Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice

The History of “Spanish Rice”

Trader Joe’s has come out with a new product that I am sure will be a long-term hit. Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice. Before we get into the review, let’s understand what exactly is “Spanish Rice”.

It really should be called Mexican Rice because in Spain there is no tradition of making rice this way. Rice was introduced to Mexico in the 1500s during the Spanish Invasion. From there rice became a staple of many Mexican cuisines. Rice is prepared in many different ways all over Mexico but for some reason, the common Spanish Rice we see in the United States caught on and is served at almost every Mexican family restaurant that I’ve ever been to.

 

Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice Box

What is Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice is Mexican Rice. Why they decided to call it Spanish Rice in the United States is lost to the mists of time. In most of Mexico, it’s simply called Rice (Arroz) and is served with many meals and included in many dishes. With the spread of Mexican family-style restaurants around North America.

The typical Mexican meal in a restaurant in the United States comes with something like Tacos or Quesadillas and is served with refried beans and Spanish Rice. I’ve eaten Spanish Rice so many times I can’t even count it. I consider myself a pretty good home cook and make Mexican food fairly frequently but have never made this rice on its own, I can’t imagine a Mexican meal at a restaurant without it

Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice Box

Trader Joe’s Spanish Rice

Looking at the package this rice dish looks like every plate of Mexican food I’ve ever eaten. Slightly red stained rice with some herbs and maybe some onions or something floating around in the rice. Spanish Rice is easy to prepare, saute rice in oil then add some tomato sauce, salt, herbs, and chicken stock and let it cook like regular rice. Voila, Spanish Rice. But Trader Joe’s makes it super simple to make. 

Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice Bag

Ideas for using Trader Joe’s Spanish Rice

  • Stuffed Bell Peppers:
    Cook the Spanish rice according to the package instructions.
    Mix it with cooked ground beef or turkey, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese.
    Stuff the mixture into halved and hollowed bell peppers.
    Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the peppers are tender.
  • Quick Burrito Bowls:
    Heat the Spanish rice and serve it as a base.
    Top with grilled chicken or steak, sautéed peppers and onions, black beans, corn, salsa, guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream.
    Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese and chopped cilantro.
  • Spanish Rice Soup:
    In a pot, sauté some onions, garlic, and diced tomatoes.
    Add chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
    Stir in the cooked Spanish rice and add cooked chicken or chorizo, along with your favorite vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
    Simmer for 10-15 minutes and serve hot with a squeeze of lime.
  • Rice-Stuffed Tacos:
    Use the Spanish rice as a filling for soft or hard-shell tacos.
    Combine with cooked ground meat or beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and your favorite taco sauce.
    Serve with a side of guacamole and sour cream.
  • Spanish Rice Breakfast Scramble:
    Heat the Spanish rice and set aside.
    In a skillet, scramble some eggs and mix in cooked chorizo or sausage.
    Add the Spanish rice and cook until heated through.
    Top with salsa, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cheese. Serve with warm tortillas.

Trader Joe’s Spanish Rice comes in the frozen section. There are two bags in a box. Simply throw the bag in the microwave with the seam side up and microwave for a couple of minutes. Trader Joe’s specifically warns you not to poke the bag as it inflates as you microwave it. There is a self-venting seam on the bag. Then let it sit for a minute before you cut it open.

What does Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice taste like?

When I opened the microwave bag I was magically transported to my local Mexican restaurant, the aromas coming from the bag were almost identical to those I smell when they bring you a big steaming hot plate of Mexican food. It looked eerily similar to the Mexican Spanish rice that is on almost every plate of food at a Mexican restaurant. Trader Joe’s really nailed it here. The grains were fluffy and well separated. There were no liquid or mushy grains of rice. 

Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice cooking

This Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice (ok, can we be honest here, this is 100% Mexican rice) tastes pretty darn good for what it is. It’s a very authentic Mexi-American Restaurant Spanish Style rice dish. Put it in burritos or tacos. Eat it along with your enchiladas. I wouldn’t be ashamed to throw this down at my next homemade Mexican meal. 

Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice cooked

My rating for Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice

I am going to give this Trader Joe’s Spanish Style Rice a solid 7 Bells. Nothing too fancy but also a solid effort. I see this being in Trader Joe’s lineup for many years. It’s also Vegan!

Ingredients

WATER, WHITE RICE, SUNFLOWER AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, SEASONING (SALT, DEHYDRATED ONION, SPICES, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, PAPRIKA, TOMATO POWDER, YEAST EXTRACT, MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID [ACIDULANT], PAPRIKA OLEORESIN [COLOR]).
 

HEATING INSTRUCTIONS

HEAT FROM FROZEN
Microwave (1200 watt): Microwave heat times
may vary depending on oven wattage.
Place rice pouch in the microwave with seam
side up, breaking up any visible clumps. Heat on
high for about 4½ minutes. The pouch will
balloon up with steam pressure. Let stand in
microwave for 1 minute before carefully
removing. Carefully open bag
and serve.
Stovetop: Heat nonstick skillet over high heat
for 1 minute. Add 2 Tbsp. water and contents
of rice pouch to skillet and stir. Cover, reduce
heat to medium and cook for about 6 minutes,
until done.

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