Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate)

4.7 from 13 reviews
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Portuguese Tomato Rice - also known as Arroz de Tomate. A simple and delicious rice dish that is a favorite recipe from Portugal!

Over the last few months, we’ve been trying quite a few recipes from the cookbook, “Food of Portugal” and this Arroz de Tomate – or Portuguese Tomato Rice – is now one of our go-to side dishes.

According to the cookbook’s author Jean Anderson, this recipe is a favorite all over Portugal – but best prepared in the Province of Alentejo in the South-Central part of Portugal, where plump juicy tomatoes grow red and ripe and full of flavor thanks to favorable growing conditions.

Portuguese Tomato Rice - also known as Arroz de Tomate. A simple and delicious rice dish that is a favorite recipe from Portugal!

In any case, try to prepare this Portuguese Tomato Rice using the ripest, reddest fresh tomatoes you can find! It’s a dish that is super easy to prepare – and also very delicious! Diced onions and garlic are sautéed in bacon fat and the tomatoes are then added and allowed to simmer so they too pick up the wonderful, smoky bacon flavor. Finally rice and broth are added – and it all cooks together until the rice is tender.

We’ve seen some other variations of Portuguese Tomato Rice that have green bell peppers added, as well as meat such as sausage, pork or chicken. Either way – this is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways!

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Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate)

Portuguese Tomato Rice - A Family Feast
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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Author: A Family Feast
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Portuguese

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon bacon fat (use lard if you don’t have bacon fat, but we don’t recommend using vegetable shortening since it won’t add much flavor to this dish)
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 cups fresh tomatoes cored and cut into large one inch chunks (save any juice from cutting)
  • 1 1/2 cups broth (we used vegetable, but chicken or beef will also work)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid, melt bacon fat in the oil over medium high.
  2. Add onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes with their juice, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Add stock, bring to a boil and add rice, salt and pepper.
  5. Cover and after it comes to a boil, lower to a gentle simmer and cook 20 minutes covered.
  6. Remove from heat and fluff with fork before serving.

Notes

The original recipe adapted from ‘Food of Portugal’ calls for seeding the tomatoes before cooking. But – we didn’t seed the tomatoes, and the finished rice was still fantastic. However, if you prefer, you can seed your tomatoes.

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Last updated: November 18, 2024

Martha is part of the husband-wife team that creates A Family Feast. She loves to cook and entertain for family and friends, and she believes that serving a great meal is one of the best ways to show someone that you care. Martha is a self-taught home cook, who loves to read cookbooks and try new recipes. After a decades-long career in business and online marketing, she now runs A Family Feast full-time. Her specialties are baking, desserts, vegetables and pasta dishes.

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59 Comments

  1. This was so good!
    I did add a chopped up yellow pepper though and instead of salt, I added a chicken bulloin. And a a heavy hand of parsley. Served it with sauteed chicken thighs and polsa kelbasa. My guys ate it up with shredded cheddar cheese. Will make again and going to check out your other recipes.

    Reply

  3. No offense but I was born and raised in Portugal and the traditional versions have absolutely nothing to do with yours. Not even the appearance is similar.

    Reply

  5. I love this recipe. Before I met my hubby who is of Mexican heritage, this is how I made my “Spanish” rice. Of course, I had to learn the proper way to make Mexican rice but he still likes for me to make this recipe. We will call it Portuguese rice from now on. Thanks!

    Reply

  6. We do not eat any pork products, ( bacon or lard ) does anyone have a good substitute that would all flavor to this dish? Would love to try it! Sounds good.

    Reply

    1. Hi Patty – You could use butter or an extra virgin olive oil in place of the bacon fat or lard. It won’t taste exactly the same, but it will still be a delicious dish!

      Reply

  8. Use bacon fat? Well twist my arm. 😀 This looks divine. I’ve never heard of Portuguese Tomato Rice but I’m going to fix that very soon!

    Reply

  9. I love rice dishes!! I have to check out this book. I made something similar this week (for home, not the blog yet), but your version has bacon fat. I’m completely won over. Because.. Bacon fat, tomatoes, and rice.

    Reply