• Side Dishes
  • Instant Pot Spanish Rice

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    Make a batch of Instant Pot Spanish rice quickly and easily. This Mexican tomato rice recipe is seasoned with cumin, garlic, and chili powder for one delicious side dish.

    Instant pot Spanish rice

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    If you are looking for a tasty side dish for Cinco de Mayo or your Taco Tuesday, then look no further! This Instant Pot Spanish rice is a wonderful addition to all of your favorite Mexican mains.

    Cooked with tomatoes and perfectly seasoned, every bite is bursting with flavor. Also known as red rice (arroz rojo), this restaurant favorite is so easy to make at home!

    Be sure to try my Mushroom Rice and Shrimp Fried Rice too!

    spanish rice in a black bowl with lemon wedge

    Why you will love this recipe!

    • Quick: Because this Spanish rice is cooked in the Instant Pot, it’s ready to serve in less than 20 minutes!
    • Simple ingredients: There’s no long list of produce needed for this recipe, just a few pantry staples that you’ll likely have to hand already.
    • Make ahead: This is a great choice if you are planning a big feast as it can be made ahead of time and it’s also freezer friendly.

    Ingredients

    • Oil: For cooking. I like to use olive oil, but any other high heat oil like canola or vegetable will work well.
    • Onion and garlic: For a nice base layer of flavor.
    • Rice: I find the best results are when you use a long grain white rice. Rinse it well before using.
    • Stock: I like to use chicken stock to cook the rice for extra flavor. Use vegetable stock for a vegan side dish.
    • Seasonings: Cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
    • Tomatoes: For that rich tomato flavor, we use canned diced or crushed tomatoes. Tomato sauce will also work well.
    ingredients for Spanish rice

    How to make Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    • Set Instant Pot to SAUTE. Add the olive oil and onions and cook until translucent. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in rice and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in chicken stock then add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir. Pour in tomato sauce but do not stir.
    • Close lid and turn Instant Pot to Manual or High Pressure and cook for 4 minutes. When the timer beeps, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, quick release remaining pressure. Carefully, remove lid and fluff rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
    how to make spanish rice in the pressure cooker
    a bowl with arroz rojo made in the instant pot

    What’s the best rice to use?

    Long grain white rice is best to use for this Instant Pot Spanish rice recipe. Shorter grain rice can get too sticky so it’s best to avoid it. You can use Basmati in a pinch, the flavors will still be there, but it won’t be as light and fluffy. If you want to swap white for brown rice, you will need to cook it for 15 minutes on high pressure and naturally release it for 5 minutes.

    How long does this Instant Pot Spanish Rice keep?

    If you have leftovers or want to use this recipe for meal prep, it will keep well in the fridge for around 4 days. To serve, reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, with a couple of tablespoons of stock. Make sure that it is piping hot before serving.

    You can also freeze the cooled rice for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

    close up of Mexican rice in a bowl

    Can you make Spanish Rice on the stovetop?

    If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still enjoy this Instant Pot Mexican rice by cooking it on the stovetop. The recipe remains pretty much the same, but you will have to add 2 cups of stock to the pot rather than one. The cooking time will need to be increased to about 20 minutes as well.

    TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Rinse your rice before adding it to the Instant Pot. This removes starch which can make your rice clumpy and sticky.
    • Saute the rice before adding the stock. This helps to get a richer and toastier flavor.
    • Let your Instant Pot naturally release pressure. If you quick release, the rice won’t be fully cooked.
    Instant Pot Spanish rice with crushed tomatoes served in a bowl

    More Instant Pot Recipes

    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Make a batch of Spanish rice quickly and easily in your Instant Pot. This Mexican tomato rice recipe is seasoned with cumin, garlic and chili powder for one delicious side dish.
    Prep Time 3 minutes
    Cook Time 7 minutes
    Natural release 10 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 268kcal

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    INGREDIENTS

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Set Instant Pot to SAUTE. Add the olive oil and onions and cook until translucent. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in rice and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in chicken stock then add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir. Pour in tomato sauce but do not stir.
    • Close lid and turn Instant Pot to Manual or High Pressure and cook for 4 minutes. When the timer beeps, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, quick release remaining pressure. Carefully, remove lid and fluff rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

    TIPS & NOTES

    • Rinse your rice before adding it to the Instant Pot. This removes starch which can make your rice clumpy and sticky.
    • Saute the rice before adding the stock. This helps to get a richer and toastier flavor.
    • Let your Instant Pot naturally release pressure. If you quick release, the rice won’t be fully cooked.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 103IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Keyword Mexican rice side dish, pressure cooker spanish rice, quick spanish rice recipe
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    Comments

    Mary L Bergland

    Only 4 oz tomato ?????? Tomtaoes come in 14 oz ….or 8 oz sauce !!! ???????

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