Easy Mexican Rice Recipe (Instant Pot)
This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe combines a handful of ingredients to create a bold, savory side dish the whole family will love! Combined and cooked in the Instant Pot, it’s quick, easy, and virtually failproof. Stovetop option, too.
The Best Mexican Rice Recipe
This easy Mexican rice is a staple for every Taco Tuesday and Tex-Mex dinner served alongside southwest stuffed poblano peppers and beef enchiladas! Full of warm spices and savory flavor, it always hits the spot.
Plus, thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s virtual failproof. Just combine the ingredients, and let the Instant Pot do all the hard work!
Even better, leftovers store well. So, you can go ahead and make extras for meal prep throughout the week. Trust us. You won’t regret it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions you need for this recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Rice – Long-grain white rice is best. We can’t guarantee your results with other types of rice.
- Seasonings – Dried minced onion, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano infuse the rice with warm, savory flavor.
- Broth – Use chicken or vegetable broth to cook the rice. Low-sodium varieties are best!
- Tomato Sauce – Canned tomato sauce infuses the rice with an acidic, savory flavor and creates the red color we look for in Mexican rice recipes.
How to Make This Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
- Combine. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, and stir to combine.
- Cook. Close the pot, and set the steam release valve to the sealing position. Pressure cook on high.
- Release. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Then, fluffy the rice with a fork.
- Garnish. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top, and enjoy warm!
Stovetop Option
No Instant Pot? No problem! This recipe is super easy to make on the stove, too. To do so:
- Combine all the ingredients (except the cilantro) in a large pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Then, reduce the heat, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is soft.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, and serve warm!
Common Questions
You can easily turn this recipe into a complete meal by adding taco meat, shredded chicken, or beans. Or, serve it as a side with ground beef tacos, chicken quesadillas, ground beef enchilada casserole, or air fryer fish tostadas.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Yes! Once cool, you can transfer leftover rice to an airtight container, and freeze it for up to three months.
Easy Mexican Rice Recipe (Instant Pot)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 3/4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 8 ounce canned tomato sauce
- Optional Topping: chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients (except cilantro) to the Instant Pot and stir until combined.2 cups long grain white rice, 1 1/2 Tablespoons dried minced onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 3/4 cups chicken broth, 8 ounce canned tomato sauce
- Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position.
- Pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 6 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin counting down.
- When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. If the pin hasn’t dropped, carefully turn the steam release valve to the venting position to release any remaining steam. Make sure the pin has dropped and open the Instant Pot lid.
- Stir and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve warm topped with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.Optional Topping: chopped fresh cilantro
- Store cooled rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Video
Nutrition
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We make this rice every time we have burrito bowls! I have even doubled it in our pressure cooker and it worked perfectly.