This Instant Pot Spanish Rice is a quick and easy way to make perfectly cooked and flavorful rice!
If you’re looking for a great, easy, flavorful side dish to serve next to your favorite Mexican inspired dinners, then look no further, because this Instant Pot Spanish Rice is perfection!
Ingredients
My secret ingredient to making super flavorful Spanish rice? Taco seasoning!
- Butter – unsalted butter is used to sauté the onions and garlic. Butter adds a rich flavor that makes this rice extra special. Salted butter may also be used, but you’ll likely need to reduce or omit the added salt.
- Onion – yellow onion is used in the original recipe, but red, white, or even shallots may be used instead. Yellow onions, red onions, and shallots are sweeter in flavor whereas white onions will have more “bite”.
- Garlic – adds a subtle nutty flavor. Use 1 tablespoon jarred pre-minced garlic or about 4 cloves freshly minced.
- Water – using cold instead of lukewarm water allows the pressure in the Instant Pot to build at the correct time, resulting in perfectly cooked rice.
- Rice – no need to rinse! Typically, rinsing rice is encouraged to avoid clumping, but we’re skipping it this time, because it can result in mushy rice. Long grain white rice is used in this recipe. I do not recommend a substitute, because water ratios and cook time would need to be changed.
- Tomato Sauce – tomatoes are classic to Spanish rice! Tomato sauce adds a rich tomato flavor and the perfect amount of liquid to keep the rice moist.
- Taco Seasoning – typically, seasonings like cumin are used to make Spanish rice, but using taco seasoning is a quick and easy way to pack in tons of flavor! Use 1 (1 oz) packet store-bought taco seasoning or try my homemade taco seasoning instead!
- Garnishes: Lime Juice, Cilantro, Crumbled Cotija or Feta – optional, but highly recommended! Lime juice adds a bright flavor to balance out the smokiness from the taco seasoning. Cilantro adds freshness and the cheese provides a rich, salty flavor!
How to make
Making rice in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to make perfect rice every time!
- Sauté onion and garlic in melted butter in a 6 quart Instant Pot, then stir in cold water and rice.
- Pour tomato sauce on top, sprinkle on taco seasoning and salt, then close and lock the lid.
- Make sure the pressure valve is pointing to SEALING, then cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes.
- Once the cook time is up, allow the pot to do a natural release for 15 minutes before flipping the valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, then serve with optional toppings and enjoy!
What rice to use
Use long grain white rice for perfectly cooked, fluffy, but moist rice.
How do you make spanish rice not mushy?
- Use long grain white rice. Shorter grains of rice will overcook in the Instant Pot.
- Don’t rinse the rice. Rice will absorb some amount of water when rinsed, so it’s best to avoid it for this recipe.
- Use the correct water to rice ratio. The standard rice to water ratio is 1:1 and that stands true for this instant pot recipe. A 1:1 ratio will result in a perfect al denté texture.
- Don’t over-cook. Cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes, then naturally release for 15 minutes. Release the remaining pressure, then immediately fluff and transfer the rice to a serving bowl.
What to serve with instant pot spanish rice
This rice is the perfect addition to any Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired meal.
- Tacos: Pork Tacos, Crockpot Taco Meat, Chicken Tacos, Shrimp Tacos
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Black Beans
How to store
Leftover rice will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 4-6 months. If you’re freezing the rice, make sure it’s cooled completely first.
To reheat, place in a microwave safe dish, drizzle with a bit of water, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave until warm.
– Jennifer
Instant Pot Spanish Rice
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter use a plant-based variety to make this vegan
- ½ large yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 cups long grain white rice don’t rinse
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste, if necessary
- Lime juice for serving, if desired
- Cilantro for serving, if desired
- Crumbled cotija or feta for serving, if desired
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE on a 6 quart Instant Pot, once it reads HOT add in butter and allow to melt.
- Once melted, add in onion and garlic and sauté, stirring regularly, for 2 minutes.
- Hit CANCEL, then stir in cold water, scrapping up any brown bits that may have stuck to the bottom. This helps avoid a BURN notice.
- Stir in rice.
- Pour tomato sauce on top, then sprinkle on taco seasoning and salt. Do NOT stir. This also helps avoid a BURN notice.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Make sure the pressure valve is pointing to SEALING, then cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes.
- Once the cook time is up, allow the pot to do a natural release for 15 minutes before flipping the valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, then immediately transfer to a serving dish to serve with optional toppings and enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.