Ready to treat your tastebuds to the best Instant Pot Spanish Rice recipe, ever? This simple Spanish rice recipe dish will have you forgetting about anything else. This is because when it comes to cooking up Spanish rice in your Instant Pot, you just can’t beat the simplicity of this simple dish.
All you need are a few easy ingredients and 20 minutes of time and you’ll have everyone lining up to fill their bowls full of delicious Spanish rice.
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Weight Watchers Spanish Rice
This Spanish rice Instant Pot recipe is full of goodness and super tasty. Not only that, you can enjoy a bowl of Spanish Rice for only 8 Weight Watchers points when you’re on the green plan. The ingredients are packed with goodness and nutrition so you can enjoy your rice whilst following the Weight watchers plan.
What Is Spanish Rice?
While we’re calling this Spanish Rice, some people refer to it as Mexican rice as well. This is because it was brought to Mexico by the Spaniards after their trip to Asia. This started the trend of Spanish Rice and it has been popular ever since!
Spanish rice is also known as Mexican rice, red rice, arroz rojo and Istanboli Polo
With the main ingredient being tomatoes, this is what gives this Instant Pot Spanish Rice it’s coloring and flavor, along with the spices and flavourings.
What kind of rice is Spanish rice made of?
Spanish rice is usually made with long grain rice. The main reason being because it’s was the most common type of rice used.
If you don’t have any long grain rice, you can substitute long grain rice with basmati or jasmine. This produce a more fragrant rice.
Goodness Within This Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe
This Spanish rice recipe has a lot of goodness and nutrition. It is an ideal addition to your diet if you want some good nutrients and minerals whilst having a delicious meal and counting your Weight Watcher points.
- There are a lot of essential vitamins and minerals inside Spanish rice, which can help with different body functions and processes.
- The tomatoes in this recipe are full of vitamin C, A and B6. These are great for boosting immunity, fighting against free radicals in the body, preventing various cancers and lowering blood pressure.
- Spanish rice is full of healthy carbohydrates that your body needs to function properly. This delicious recipe is high in fibre which is good for digestion too.
- This Spanish rice recipe is rich in manganese which is needed for healthy bones, cartilage and connective tissues. The onions are full of vitamin c, chromium and fibre and the garlic has health benefits such as providing antioxidants which helps fight against free radicals in the body.
Spanish Rice Cooking Times
This Instant Pot Spanish Rice recipe can be made super quick in the Instant pot in less than 20 minutes! Now how is that for speed? I love how simple and quick it is and think this makes a great meal on a busy weeknight or weekend.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients for this Spanish rice Instant pot recipe
Here are the ingredients you will need to make Instant Pot Spanish rice:
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow or white onion
- 2 cups long-grain white 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 chopped cilantro
How To Make this instant pot spanish rice recipe
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 white 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 your Spanish rice on a dish or in a bowl alongside your favorite dish, or by itself. Garnish with cilantro.
How to Store Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is best eaten straight away, after cooking. Allow the rice to cool for 20 minutes before storing any remaining food. It is best to use an airtight container.
You can store the rice for 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in a freezer.
To reheat the rice, add a spoonful of water or stock to loosen it up and heat it in 1-minute intervals in the microwave until heated through.
What’s the best rice to use?
The best rice to use for this recipe is long grain rice. The long grains of the rice give more surface area, allowing it to stay fluffy and separate instead of getting stuck together.
Can I Use Jarred Tomato Sauce Instead Of Making My Own?
Yes, you can make this recipe with jarred tomato sauce instead of fresh tomatoes.
Be sure to use unsalted canned tomatoes in order to avoid extra sodium in your food.
Do I Have To Use White Rice?
No, you do not need to use white rice. You can also make this recipe with brown rice if you prefer a nuttier flavor and a healthier side dish for your meal.
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 fried fish fillets! Instant Pot Spanish rice is the perfect side dish to serve with tacos or quesadillas. It is also delicious with refried beans and enchiladas, and works well with any Mexican meal.
Other serving suggestions for this tasty Mexican dish include:
Best Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe
Ready to treat your tastebuds to the best Instant Pot Spanish Rice recipe, ever
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow or white onion
- 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 chopped cilantro
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 Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 188Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 155mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g
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About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and adults. Angela has also taught cooking classes and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Instant Pot Table. Follow her on Pinterest!
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