Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious, easy side dish to add to your next Mexican-themed dinner party, look no further than this Instant Pot Mexican Rice. The best part? You only need a few simple ingredients, and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes!

If you would prefer a simple rice dish, then be sure to check out this Sticky Rice Recipe too! For my low carb friends, be sure to try this Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe.

Mexican rice in a white serving bowl with a slice of lime ready to serve.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

I’m not sure what’s more impressive – the fact that this Mexican rice is made in the Instant Pot or the fact that it’s so delicious. Either way, you’re going to love it! This recipe is perfect for serving with tacos or burritos, and it’s also great as a side dish. Best of all, it’s super easy to make. You’ll have dinner on the table in no time!

  • This Mexican rice recipe is so easy and quick to throw together, and it tastes amazing.
  • You only need simple ingredients that you may already have on hand for this easy instant pot recipe.
  • It’s perfect for serving with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or as a side dish.
  • Skip your favorite Mexican restaurant and make this great side dish at home.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

You’ll only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this recipe. Even if you’re a beginner cook, you can make this dish with ease. All you need are a few simple utensils and some key ingredients. So grab your apron and get ready to cook up something delicious!

  • measuring cup
  • measuring spoon
  • Instant Pot
  • fork
  • large wooden spoon
Ingredients to make Mexican Rice in an Instant Pot.

INGREDIENTS

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to whip up this delicious Mexican inspired side dish. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can have a tasty and healthy side on the table in no time

  • olive oil or any other neutral tasting cooking oil.
  • onion, chopped
  • cloves garlic, minced
  • vegetable or chicken stock – I use a concentrate.
  • salt
  • ground cumin
  • black pepper
  • long-grain white rice
  • tomato paste or tomato sauce
Instant Pot Mexican rice garnished with cilantro and tomatoes.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT MEXICAN RICE

Making this Instant Pot Mexican Rice is a breeze! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious, authentic meal in no time.

STEP 1: RINSE THE RICE

In a medium size mixing bowl add the rice and add cold water. Stir with your fingers releasing the starch. Rinse water until the water is clear. Drain and set aside.

STEP 2: SAUTE THE ONIONS UNTIL TRANSLUCENT

Turn the electric pressure cooker to saute mode. Add the olive oil and onion, stirring often and sauteing until the onion is tender and translucent. Stir in the garlic.

STEP 3: DEGLAZE THE BOTTOM OF THE PRESSURE COOKER

Add the broth (and tomato sauce if using instead of paste) to the electric pressure cooker and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze and loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Stir in the cumin, salt, pepper to evenly distribute through the rice, and then cancel the saute function.

STEP 4: ADD THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS TO THE INSTANT POT

Stir the rinsed rice into the broth. Over the rice, dot with tomato paste. It’s not necessary to stir.

STEP 5: PRESSURE COOK THE SPANISH RICE

Cover the electric pressure cooker and program it to manual or pressure cook for 7 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for about an additional 10 minutes.

STEP 6: FLUFF RICE AND SERVE

Open the pressure cooker and stir distribute the tomato paste evenly and fluff the rice. Top with chopped cilantro and diced tomatoes if desired.

Spanish rice in a serving dish with fresh tomatoes on the side.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MEXICAN RICE

This Instant Pot Mexican Rice is the perfect side dish for any Mexican food recipes that you love. Serve it with any of the delicious ideas below for a complete meal.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

While this recipe is delicious as written, there are a few ways you can change it up to suit your tastes. Here are some ideas:

  • Add a can of black beans, rinsed and drained, for extra protein.
  • Don’t have tomato paste? No problem, add 6 tablespoons of tomato sauce instead (stir in with the broth).
  • Stir in a cup of drained corn or thawed frozen corn.
  • Top with shredded cheese, diced avocado, or diced tomatoes before serving.
  • For a spicier dish, add diced jalapeno pepper, chili powder, or some crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the top of the rice for a bright citrus flavor.
Spanish rice made in an Instant Pot topped with tomatoes and cilantro.

TIPS

Making Instant Pot Mexican Rice is easy, but there are a few things you can do to ensure it turns out perfectly every time. Here are a few tips to help you make the best authentic Mexican Rice:

  • Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. This removes extra starch and adds a little extra water to the rinsed rice. Skipping this step might cause the rice to burn or be undercooked.
  • The traditional Spanish Rice recipe requires the rice to be toasted before adding the the broth. That method doesn’t work well when using the Instant Pot.
  • Do not stir the tomato paste into the rice prior to cooking to avoid getting a burn notice.
  • If you don’t have vegetable broth or chicken stock on hand, you can use water. However, the stock does add more flavor to the dish.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock.
  • After 10 minutes manually release the remaining pressure, if there is any after the natural pressure release.
  • Add more flavor with the addition of garlic powder, onion powder or even taco seasoning.

HOW TO STORE

Leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.

You can also freeze Mexican Rice for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as desired.

Homemade Mexican rice topped with a lime slice and diced cilantro in a white bowl.

FAQS 

Do you have questions about this Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this easy recipe.

How long do you cook Mexican Rice in an Instant Pot?

To cook Mexican Rice in an Instant Pot, program it to manual or pressure cook for 7 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.

Can I use short grain rice for Mexican Rice?

Yes. You can use short grain rice in place of long grain rice and it will give you the same flavor. However, the texture will be slightly different. Short grain rice will not absorb all the broth the same way and will be mushier.

What kind of rice is best for making Mexican Rice?

I prefer to use white long grain rice when making Mexican Rice, but you can also use brown rice or basmati rice. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will be different if you use a different type of rice.

Should I use the “rice” button on the Instant Pot?

No, you need to use the manual pressure button for this recipe, not the rice button.

OTHER DELICIOUS INSTANT POT RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY

  • Easy Mexican Pinto Beans – Simple Crock Pot recipe is cooked without pre-soaking the beans. Save some of the beans to make refried beans!
  • Instant Pot Carnitas – This is a small batch recipe. Perfect for a mid-week meal.
  • Mexican Soup with Hominy – This soup can takes hours on the stove top. Once you cook pozole in an Instant Pot it’ll be your new favorite way to make this soup.
  • Instant Pot Pork Stew – Low carb pork stew recipe the whole family will love.
Homemade Mexican rice made in an Instant Pot in a white serving bowl.

Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

Fluffy Mexican rice made in an Instant Pot. Add this flavorful rice dish to your next fiesta!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Instant Pot Mexican Rice, Mexican rice, Spanish Rice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 134kcal
Author: Sandra Shaffer

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion diced or 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 cups long grain white rice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Cilantro & diced tomato for garnish

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice in a medium size bowl with cold water. Stir the rice with your fingers to release the milky starch, Repeat until the water is clear. Drain the water and set aside.
  • Turn the pressure cooker to the saute mode to heat the insert. Add the olive oil and saute with the diced onion stirring often, sauteing until the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic.
  • Add the broth to the electric pressure cooker and deglaze the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any cooked on pieces. Stir in the salt, pepper and cumin, then cancel the saute function.
  • Stir the rinsed rice into the broth. Over the rice, dot with tomato paste. Do not stir.
  • Cover the electric pressure cooker and program to manual or pressure cook for 7 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.
  • Open the pressure cooker and stir to mix and fluff the rice.
  • Place in a serving bowl and top with chopped cilantro and a fresh diced tomato if desired.


Notes

Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and adds extra moisture to the rice. Skipping this step might cause the rice to burn or be undercooked.
6 tablespoons of tomato sauce can be used in place to the tomato paste. Add with the broth, step 3.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 600mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

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