Easy Spanish Rice In The Instant Pot
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: under 30 minutes (including time to pressurize)
METHOD: Instant Pot
OTHER TOOLS: fork, rice paddle or spoon
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 8
Easy Spanish Rice In The Instant Pot is a go-to recipe for taco night or for serving with your favorite Mexican dishes. It’s easy to assemble, and you can stay hands-free while you prep your main meal. Try this made-from-scratch version for restaurant-worthy results!
What is Spanish Rice?
Spanish rice is made with long-grain rice cooked in a combination of broth and a tomato base, with traditional Latin-inspired seasonings like garlic, onion, and cumin.
Toasting rice grains in oil before cooking is a traditional step that adds depth and extra flavor to Spanish rice. The finished rice can be served with add-ins such as peas, carrots, or corn to make it more filling.
Depending on location or tradition, you might interchange “Spanish rice” with “Mexican rice” with only slight seasoning variations. Either way, this deeply flavored rice dish will fill you up and complement the other delicious foods on your plate!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Made-from-scratch Spanish rice is so simple with the Instant Pot. It makes fluffy, flavorful rice in just a few steps.
- This method is quick and reliable. No need to watch a simmering pot on the stove while you prep your tacos, enchiladas, or guac!
- Just one pot makes cleanup easy – especially helpful when you’re hosting parties or group meals!
- Spanish rice is a perfect side dish for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and more. This restaurant-style side is a versatile choice for any plate.
- You don’t need to resort to pre-made rice packets from the store to get traditional results! Keep the rice both budget-friendly and additive-free with ingredients you likely already have at home.
Ingredients Needed
- Avocado oil – Use avocado oil to slightly toast the rice before cooking. This adds richness and flavor (olive oil or canola oil are also good substitutes).
- Long-grain white rice – There are many versions of Spanish rice with other grain varieties, but this recipe is tested specifically for long-grain white rice. This variety toasts nicely for flavor and holds texture well.
- Spices – You don’t need extra spice packets or packaged mixes to get deep flavor in your rice dish! Just add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cumin to create a simple, balanced flavor base.
- Tomato Sauce – The signature ingredient of Spanish rice is a tomato base. A plain, unseasoned tomato sauce coats the rice, infusing it with classic Spanish flavor and color.
- Chicken Broth – Using broth (instead of water) boosts the depth of flavor. Use a low-sodium version to control the salt, and swap for vegetable broth for the vegetarian version.
How To Make Instant Pot Spanish Rice
- Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the avocado oil.
- Add the rice and stir while letting it toast for about 3-4 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and add the remaining ingredients.
- Add lid and set to seal.
- Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes (it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before it starts cooking).
- When cooking time is completed, you can turn the valve for quick pressure release or allow for a natural pressure release.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and stir to combine before serving.
Pro Tips
- Before cooking, rinse the rice until the water runs clear (for about 1-2 minutes) to remove excess starch and keep the grains fluffy.
- Don’t skip the sauté step! Lightly sautéing the rice in oil before cooking deepens the flavor and helps prevent it from becoming mushy.
- The rice will be toasted when you can smell a slightly nutty aroma, but it has not yet turned brown.
- Use the “pressure cook” setting on high, not the “rice” button, for consistent results with long-grain white rice.
- After cooking and releasing pressure, let the rice sit for 5 minutes before fluffing to lock in the texture.
- This recipe doubles easily and makes a great dish for a crowd! Keep the same cook time, but just allow for a longer pressurization period.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Jasmine or basmati rice may work well; however, cooking times can vary (and have not been tested with this recipe). If you use brown rice, it will take longer to cook – about 22 minutes on high.
- If you’d like to swap a broth variety, chicken, vegetable, or even beef broth all work.
- Use olive oil, canola oil, or butter as swaps for avocado oil if desired.
- For a stronger flavor, add chili powder, smoked paprika, or fresh garlic.
- To make this a vegetarian dish, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
How To Serve Spanish Rice
Garnish a side of fluffy rice with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or a sprinkle of queso fresco.
Serve Spanish rice alongside tacos, Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, enchiladas, burrito bowls, or carnitas for a restaurant-worthy meal! Add beans, peas, or corn if you like, to make it more filling.
The rice also makes a flavorful base for meal-prep bowls or just a tasty filler to use up leftovers! Add grilled chicken, steak, veggies, or Instant Pot Pinto Beans for a complete meal.
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. (Freezing is not recommended as the texture may change after thawing.)
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
To reheat in the microwave, sprinkle with a bit of water, cover loosely, and heat in short bursts, stirring between.
To reheat on the stovetop, warm in a skillet with a splash of broth to add moisture.
Instant Pot Spanish Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat avocado oil
- Add rice and stir while letting it toast for about 3-4 minutes
- Turn off Instant Pot and add remaining ingredients
- Add lid and set to seal
- Set Instant Pot to high pressure for 8 minutes (it takes about 10 minutes to come to pressure before it starts cooking)
- When cooking time is completed, turn valve for quick pressure release or allow for a natural pressure release
- Fluff rice with a fork and stir to combine before serving
Notes
- Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave by sprinkling with water, covering loosely, and heating in short bursts while stirring between, or reheat on the stovetop in a skillet with a splash of broth to add moisture.
- Rinse uncooked rice until the water runs clear (about 1-2 minutes) to remove excess starch.
- Toast the rice until it smells slightly nutty but hasn’t browned.
- Use the “pressure cook” setting on high, not the “rice” button, for consistent results.
- Let the rice rest for 5 minutes after pressure release, then fluff to lock in texture.
- If you double the recipe, plan for extra time for pressurization.
Absolutely delicious and the perfect base for shredded anything, for salad bowls, or as a side for any Tex-Mex dishes. We loved it!
can’t tell because the website won’t let me print so I can’t try the recipe, have to look else where for a good recipe for instant pot spanish recipe. 🙁
Hi Mary! Can you tell me what happens when you try to print it? I just checked and it’s working. There’s an orange colored button at the top of the recipe card.