Spanish Beef Rice Recipe - Easy One-Pot Meal

(Arroz con Carne)


By Edu Valor / Author - Spanish Chef

This one’s a classic — as old as the streets. Try this Spanish beef rice recipe for a hearty, one-pot dinner packed with bold, savory flavors.

Quick to make and perfect for family meals or meal prep! Beef isn’t the cheapest meat, but if you’ve got some on hand (or found it on sale), this recipe is a great way to put it to good use.

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Spanish beef rice in a plate.


Ingredients You Need for a Top Traditional Arroz con Carne


I like this rice recipe to really highlight the beef flavor. Adding beef bouillon really brings out that richness — it’s how I remember the dish. Without that deep taste, the rice would just be… well, another rice dish!

Here are the key ingredients that make Spanish beef rice stand out:

  • A quality beef bouillon
  • Tomato sauté
  • Black pepper and salt
  • Garlic and onion
  • (Smoked) paprika

You can skip the bouillon if you prefer a more natural version. In that case, just be sure to brown the meat well and make a flavorful sauté.


Let's Make a Rustic Beef Rice!


Ingredients for 4 Servings


Preparation: 10-15 minutes
Cooking: 20-25 minutes, long grain rice 15 minutes (see packaging)

*Measurements in metric and USA Imperial system. For British/Canadian measurements please use the metric conversion calculator.

Using a different rice may change the cooking time and water amount. The info is usually on the packaging. Bomba rice requires 3 times its weight in water.

  • 400g/14 oz beef, cut bite size pieces
  • 350g/12 oz long grain rice
  • ½ red bell pepper
  • ½ green bell pepper
  • 150g/5 oz tomato cubes (canned)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 200g/7 oz can of green peas with carrots (optional)
  • 1 or 2 beef bouillon cubes (optional)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • ½ tsp yellow food dye (or 10-15 strings saffron)
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • a small splash of vinegar
  • 700ml/3 Cups water

There are many variations of this one-pot dish. Some include a sprig of thyme or rosemary, and a teaspoon of smoked paprika.

It adds both color and flavor. Sometimes, the onion is left out since the peppers already bring some sweetness.

Instructions

  1. Season the beef pieces with salt and pepper, then brown them in a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat until nicely seared and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic until soft and lightly browned.
  3. Add the chopped tomato and bell peppers, then stir-fry until most of the juice has evaporated. You can brown this mixture a bit more for deeper flavor, if you like.
  4. Add a small splash of vinegar and stir well to deglaze and enhance the flavor.
  5. Pour in the water or broth, stir, and season to taste. (Add beef bouillon at this stage if using.)
  6. Add the rice and browned beef back into the pan. Stir to combine. (Now is the time to add peas or diced carrots if you're including them.)
  7. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  9. If there's still too much broth at the end, remove the lid and cook uncovered for a few more minutes, until the liquid reduces and the rice reaches a semi-dry consistency.

TIPS: 

  • This rice dish is semi-dry, not quite like a paella.
  • Use lemon juice instead of vinegar if needed.
  • Canned tomato cubes work well too.
  • Use Bomba or Calasparra rice if possible. They absorb more taste.
  • Add a sprig of thyme or rosemary along with the rice.

Appetizing Spanish beef rice in a fry pan.Simmer uncovered to reduce the broth.


What You Will Need

  1. A large pot with cover
  2. Spatula
  3. Paring knife
  4. Meat knife
  5. Cutting board
  6. Measuring beaker
  7. Scale


Flavor Tip: The Technique That Makes the Difference


To bring out maximum flavor, brown the tomato, onion, and garlic slightly — this deepens the savory base.

Then season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and just a touch of vinegar to finish it off.

Can I Make Spanish Beef Rice Without Onion?


Yes, you can!

Onion, when browned, adds savoriness to the sofrito and really brings out the beef flavor. But if you want to leave it out, a good substitute is a combination of bell peppers and paprika.

Some chefs skip the onion altogether when bell peppers are already in the mix. Personally, when beef is part of the dish, I prefer not to leave out something that adds to the overall savoriness.

That said, don’t worry — you’ll still get depth and warmth in the final dish. It’ll just taste a little different, but definitely still delicious. You will still have a genuine Spanish beef rice recipe!




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