This easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe is a perfect side dish or a base for other meals. Using simple ingredients and the convenience of an electric pressure cooker, you can whip up this delicious rice in no time, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or when you're simply craving a bit of Mexican cuisine at home.
Need a side for your next taco Tuesday? How about a rice base for some Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers? This delicious Mexican rice is the perfect go-to and easily rivals what you'll find at your favorite Mexican restaurant. I love the simple flavors of this fluffy, flavorful rice. And making it with the Instant Pot makes it an easy side dish.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Easy! Using the Instant Pot makes this recipe a breeze to make and is so much easier than cooking the rice on the stovetop. I love getting this rice going and then making the rest of my meal as the rice is cooking.
- Perfect results every time. Using the Instant Pot makes this recipe fool-proof, with fluffy, perfectly cooked rice every single time!
- Simple ingredients. Simple spices, fresh veggies, and some pantry staples turn basic white rice into a delicious side dish that goes great with any Mexican food (try it with these street corn chicken rice bowls, my easy homemade red enchiladas, or this slow cooker enchilada mix!
Key Ingredients
Just a few easy staples are needed for this easy Spanish rice.
- Long grain rice. The foundation of our dish, long-grain rice is ideal for achieving that signature fluffy texture.
- Tomato sauce and Rotel tomatoes. These ingredients add depth and a slight tang, creating a rich base for the rice.
- Onion and garlic. Sautéed to perfection, they infuse the rice with aromatic flavors.
- Cumin and salt. Simple spices give this authentic Mexican rice recipe a Mexican flair.
- Chicken broth. Using chicken stock or broth instead of water enriches the rice with more flavor, though vegetable broth can be a great substitute for a vegan option.
- Peas and fresh cilantro. You'll add these towards the end for a fresh color contrast and a pop of freshness.
How To Make Instant Pot Mexican Rice
This easy rice recipe is simple to prepare. Here's how to make it.
- Prep the rice. Start by rinsing your rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Sauté onions and garlic. Use the sauté function of your Instant Pot to cook the onions and garlic in oil until they're soft and fragrant.
- Mix ingredients. Add the rinsed rice, tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, cumin, salt, and chicken broth. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Pressure cook. Seal the lid of the Instant Pot. If your Instant Pot has a rice button, press that, or cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes.
- Natural pressure release. Allow the pot to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. This will help prevent the rice from becoming too dense or sticky.
- Add the peas and cilantro. Stir in the peas and fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving to add a burst of color and flavor.
Variations And Substitutions
There are lots of ways you can adjust this recipe to use what you have on hand, or add in different flavors. Here are some ideas:
- Swap the rice. Substitute the white rice for brown rice, basmati or jasmine rice.
- Add some different spices: Feel adventurous by adding chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
- Add some beans and veggies. Mix in black beans or bell peppers for added texture and nutrition. Great for pleasing picky eaters with extra veggies!
- Make it vegan. Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth or water to keep this delicious rice plant-based.
- Add some heat. Make this a spicy Mexican rice by adding a dash of paprika, cayenne pepper or taco seasoning. You could also add some sliced jalapeno peppers or even serrano peppers for an extra kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use either, but note that these varieties may have slightly different cooking times and water requirements.
Adjust the amount of liquid slightly the next time. More liquid for drier rice, less if it was too wet.
Store any leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat it with a splash of water to keep it moist.
Pair this perfect Mexican rice with tacos, grilled steak, or any other delicious Mexican main dish. Or, combine it with some refried beans and cheese and stuff it into a burrito!
If you try this Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!
More Delicious Mexican Recipes
- Chorizo Taco With Avocado Lime Sauce
- Baked Spanish Chicken Wings Recipe With Garlic
- Easy Cornbread Cowboy Casserole With Beef And Beans
- Carne Asada Vamipro Tacos
- Crispy, Baked Tequila Lime Bone-In Chicken Wings
- Sheet Pan Nachos With Chorizo
- Easy Red Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Mole Tacos
- Loaded Skillet Fajita Nachos With Steak
Recipe
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable, grapeseed, or avocado oil)
- ¼ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 7 oz tomato sauce
- 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes
- ¾ cup chicken broth (or water)
- ½ cup peas
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until water runs clear, then drain and set aside.
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute mode and add the oil to the pot.
- Once the oil is hot, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until it has softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the rice, salt, cumin, tomato sauce, Rotel tomatoes, and chicken broth (or water) to the pressure cooker. Stir well to combine.
- Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to the rice function on high pressure, or just set it to manual on high pressure. Cook for 12 minutes.
- Allow the pressure cooker to natural release for 10 minutes then manually release the rest of the pressure.
- Add the peas and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
Jane says
Loved the flavors! I added some jalapenos for added heat! This is perfect for naked burrito bowls too!
Sarah Jenkins says
Thanks Jane!