Get ready to elevate your meal game with our easy Instant Pot Spanish Rice recipe! No more bland sides; we’re turning up the heat with vibrant flavors, perfectly cooked rice, and a hint of spice that dances on your taste buds.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Making Spanish Rice
- Effortless Flavor Fusion: Achieve authentic Spanish rice with minimal effort and maximum taste in your Instant Pot.
- One-Pot Wonder: Simplify dinner with this fuss-free recipe that cooks flavorful Spanish rice all in one pot.
- Time-Saving Simplicity: Embrace the convenience of Instant Pot cooking—savory Spanish rice ready in a fraction of time.
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Spanish Rice Instant Pot recipe:
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic, it adds a subtle richness to the dish.
- Chopped Yellow or White Onion: Adds a savory depth of flavor and sweetness when cooked, creating a solid base for the rice.
- Long-Grain White Rice: The main ingredient in this dish, it absorbs all the flavors while retaining a fluffy texture.
- Cloves Fresh Garlic: Brings a robust, aromatic flavor that infuses the whole dish, enhancing the savory elements.
- Minced Tomatoes: Adds a fresh, tangy taste that balances out the savory flavors.
- Chicken Stock or Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid for the rice to cook in, imparting a savory flavor. Can be substituted with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Cumin: Gives the rice a warm, earthy note that’s integral to the Spanish flavor profile.
- Chili Powder: Optional ingredient for those who like a bit of heat in their dishes.
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish to the dish, brightening up the flavors.
How To Make Instant Pot Spanish Rice?
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making Instant Pot Spanish Rice:
Step One: Turn the Instant Pot to Saute Mode. Once the pot gets hot, add a neutral cooking oil such as olive oil and place the diced onions into the inner pot. Cook the onions for about 4 minutes until they become soft.
Step Two: Add in the garlic and cook with the onions in the pot for about 2 minutes.
Step Three: Rinse the rice. Then add the white rice and mix well to incorporate the onion and garlic into each grain. Allow the rice to brown for about 5 minutes.
Step Four: Add the stock, diced tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder to the Instant Pot. Stir well. Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any food that has stuck to the bottom of the pot and press the cancel button.
Step Five: Close the Instant Pot by twisting the lid. Close the valve, and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Next release the pressure manually. Stir and fluff the rice.
Step Six: Plate your Spanish rice in a single dish or a bowl alongside your favorite Mexican-inspired meals. Making Spanish rice has never been easier! Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
Don’t Let The Rice Go Mushy
Be sure to do a quick release as a natural release will overcook the rice and make it mushy.
Tips For Storing Leftover Rice
- Fridge: Mexican rice is best eaten straight away, after cooking. Allow the rice to cool for 20 minutes before storing any remaining food. You can store Mexican rice for 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Allow the cooked rice to cool completely before transferring it into a freezer-safe container or bag.
You can store frozen Spanish Rice for up to 3 months in the freezer. - Reheat: When you are ready to serve, allow the Mexican rice to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the rice is warm. Enjoy!
What To Serve With Spanish Rice?
This Instant Pot Spanish rice recipe is so versatile. It can be served on its own, with some spiced chicken or Spanish meatballs or Fish Tacos!
Instant Pot Spanish rice is the perfect side dish to serve with Street Tacos or Quesadillas. It is also delicious with Refried Beans and Enchiladas and works well with any Mexican meal.
If looking for a drink why not try this Strawberry Sangria!
FAQ’S
Spanish rice is a flavorful side dish that’s savory with hints of tomato and garlic. The rice is cooked in a spicy broth made from a combination of tomato sauce or tomatoes with seasonings.
Spanish rice was first brought to Mexico by the Spaniards after their trip to Asia where they discovered rice.
Since then, the dish has been adapted to Mexican cuisine by adding ingredients like tomatoes and spices. Spanish rice is also known as Mexican rice and Arroz rojo.
The best rice to use for this recipe is long-grain rice. The long grains of the rice gives more surface area, allowing it to stay fluffy and separate instead of getting stuck together.
You can use long-grain white rice or long-grain brown rice. If using brown rice add a further 2 minutes to the pressure cooking time.
No, this recipe can use either regular chicken broth or low-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or chicken stock. Use the liquid that you prefer for this Mexican rice dish cuisine.
Yes. You sure can add vegetables. Try adding some frozen peas once the dish has cooked or pop in some diced carrots, diced peppers or fresh corn.
Yes. You can use jarred tomato sauce in this recipe. Use half a cup of tomato sauce in place of the diced tomatoes and cumin.
Easy Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup yellow or white onion chopped or finely diced
- 2 cups long grain rice
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 3/4 cup minced tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder optional
- 1/8 cup cilantro Finely chopped
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to Saute Mode. Once the Pot gets hot, add the oil, and onions. Cook the onions about 4 minutes until they become soft.
- Add in the garlic and cook with the onions in the pot for about 2 mintutes.
- Add in the rice and mix well to incorporate the onion and garlic to each grain. Allow the rice to brown for about 5 minutes.
- Add the stock, diced tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder to the Instant Pot. Stir well. Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any food that has stuck to the bottom of the pot. Press the cancel button.
- Close the Instant Pot by twisting on the lid. Close the valve, and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 8 minutes.
- After it has cooked for 8 minutes, release pressure manually.
- Stir and fluff the rice. Plate on a dish or in a bowl alongside your favorite dish, or by itself. Garnish with cilantro.
Nutrition
Notes
You can store frozen Spanish Rice for up to 3 months in the freezer. Reheat: When you are ready to serve, allow the Mexican rice to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the rice is warm. Enjoy!
Need More Mexican Instant Pot Recipes?
If you’re looking for other delicious and easy Instant Pot recipes with a Mexican twist, here are a few ideas:
Looks great and really easy. No way to print, so won’t be using this one. Not even a way to copy and paste. Need to improve this type of feature.
Hi Diane the recipe card can be printed at the bottom of the page.
Angela Milnes