Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe
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Instant Pot Mexican Rice is an easy recipe and quick to put together. If you like Mexican Restaurant Style Rice, then this recipe is just the one for you. It is delicious and made with just handful of ingredients.
Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe – Vegan & Gluten-free
This Instant Pot Mexican Rice is our favorite side dish to go along with any Mexican inspired main dish. And if you love the Mexican Red Rice that is served commonly in the Mexican Restaurants, then you will love this recipe. It comes together in no time in instant pot.
My family simply loves this kind of rice. And whenever we are at the Mexican Restaurant, our kids always order extra. They love it that much.
And if you like Taco Bell Rice, then this recipe is as good as you can make at home. My family is a huge fan of this kinda rice.
This Mexican Restaurant Style Rice Recipe is a keeper because –
- Takes only few handful ingredients to put it together.
- Comes together in no time from start to finish.
- Recipe is no rocket science. Super duper easy.
- A great side to any kind of meal and especially to the Mexican spread.
Have you checked our other Vegan/Vegetarian Instant Pot Mexican Recipes – 3 Ingredients Refried Beans, Black Bean Soup, Pinto Beans, Black Beans, Chipotle Burrito Bowl, Salsa Verde, Salsa Restaurant style and more.
Mexican Rice Ingredients
White Rice – Basmati Rice or any long grain rice
Cooking Oil
Spices – Cayenne Pepper Powder, Salt, Cumin, Paprika Powder
Fresh Produce – White Onions, Garlic
Canned Ingredients –Tomato Sauce, low sodium
Garnish – Cilantro leaves, Green scallions, Lime Juice
Kitchen Gadgets
Is this recipe vegan?
This is a completely vegan or Plant based Recipe. There are no traces of non vegan ingredients.
Is it Gluten-free?
The recipe is gluten-free. Make sure that when you pick all your ingredients, they are gluten-free.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes absolutely yes. You can make it ahead of time – may be few hours ahead and even 1 day ahead of time.
How to store the left-over rice?
I just store my leftover rice in air-tight pyrex bowl and refrigerate.
How to re-heat the Vegan Mexican Rice Arroz Rojo?
If you are to re-heat the leftover Mexican Red Rice then, spray/sprinkle some water on the rice and micro-wave for few minutes till warm. Re-fluff it with a fork.
What can this Arroz Rojo (Red Rice) be served with?
We make the whole spread when Tex Mex or Mexican is on the menu. You can serve it with Tex Mex style Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Refried Beans and all the other frills like sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa etc.
What is the ratio of water and rice to cook in instant pot?
I have always used 1:1 ratio of water and rice to cook in instant pot. This ratio has always worked well.
What setting to use cook rice in Instant Pot?
Although there is a rice setting on Instant Pot, I always use Pressure Cook Mode on High. It has worked well for me since last 4 years.
How to make Mexican Rice Arroz Rojo in Instant Pot?
- Wash the Basmati Rice and set aside.
- Chop onions and garlic finely.
- Place Instant Pot Liner inside the 6 quart Instant Pot and plug it in. Press saute and set on high. Once the screen shows HOT, add cooking oil to it.
- And after few seconds, add finely chopped onion and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes till onions sweat a bit.
- Add washed rice and saute it further for 30 seconds. Now add Cayenne Pepper Powder, Salt, Cumin, Paprika Powder, water & Tomato Sauce. Give it a good stir.
- Cancel saute. Place the lid and secure to SEALING. Press Pressure Cook Mode and set on high for 5 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, follow QPR (quick pressure release). Open the lid carefully. Let the rice sit there without disturbing for about 7-8 minutes. It is not a good idea to touch the steaming hot rice since it is soft and can be easily mushed.
- Now take a fork and fluff it through gently.
- Add chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions and a good squirt of lime juice.
- Serve it as a delicious side to your meal.
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Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe
Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Inner Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati Rice or Long Grain Rice washed 3-4 times under cold running water
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 medium White Onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 1 cup or 8 ounce Tomato Sauce canned
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika powder
- To taste Salt
- 2 cups water
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Cilantro leaves finely chopped
- 3 stalks Green scallions finely chopped
- 2-3 tsp Lime juice
Instructions
Gather ingredients. Always read Notes for more tips and options. Read the recipe once before getting started.
- Wash the Basmati Rice and set aside. Chop onions and garlic finely.
- Place Instant Pot Liner inside the 6 quart Instant Pot and plug it in. Press saute and set on high. Once the screen shows HOT, add cooking oil to it.
- And after few seconds, add finely chopped onion and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes till onions sweat a bit. Add washed rice and saute it further for 30 seconds. Now add Cayenne Pepper Powder, Salt, Cumin, Paprika Powder, water & Tomato Sauce. Give it a good stir. Cancel saute.
- Place the lid and secure to SEALING. Press Pressure Cook Mode and set on high for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off, follow QPR (quick pressure release). Open the lid carefully. Let the rice sit there without disturbing for about 7-8 minutes. It is not a good idea to touch the steaming hot rice since it is soft and can be easily mushed.
- Now take a fork and fluff it through gently.
- Add chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions and a good squirt of lime juice. Serve it as a delicious side to your meal.
Some other Tex Mex style Instant Pot Recipes to look at -
Gas Top Instructions
- The instructions will remain as is for gas top too. Heat oil in pan and saute onion + garlic in it for about 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
- Then add washed rice and saute further for 30-40 seconds. Now add all the spices, tomato sauce & 3&1/2cups water to it. Give it a good stir. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cover. Cook on simmer till water is absorbed. Garnish and serve.
Notes
Is this recipe vegan?
This is a completely vegan or Plant based Recipe. There are no traces of non vegan ingredients.Is it Gluten-free?
The recipe is gluten-free. Make sure that when you pick all your ingredients, they are gluten-free.Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes absolutely yes. You can make it ahead of time - may be few hours ahead and even 1 day ahead of time.How to store the left-over rice?
I just store my leftover rice in air-tight pyrex bowl and refrigerate.How to re-heat the Vegan Mexican Rice Arroz Rojo?
If you are to re-heat the leftover Mexican Red Rice then, spray/sprinkle some water on the rice and micro-wave for few minutes till warm. Re-fluff it with a fork.What can this Arroz Rojo (Red Rice) be served with?
We make the whole spread when Tex Mex or Mexican is on the menu. You can serve it with Tex Mex style Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Refried Beans and all the other frills like sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa etc.What is the ratio of water and rice to cook in instant pot?
I have always used 1:1 ratio of water and rice to cook in instant pot. This ratio has always worked well.What setting to use cook rice in Instant Pot?
Although there is a rice setting on Instant Pot, I always use Pressure Cook Mode on High. It has worked well for me since last 4 years.Kitchen Gadgets
Measuring Cups and Spoons Chopping Board and Knife Kitchen stirring spoon Kitchen Colander 6 quart Instant Pot Instant Pot LinerNutrition
I am sure you are going to make this recipe soon. Please leave your feedback in the comments section.
Thanks,
Sonal
Can you make this without the ceramic insert inside of the pot (just use the insert that comes with the Instant Pot)?
Yes :).
I used my regualr insert!
Thank you! Very excited to make this!!
I have tried this recipe twice. Using exact measurements and following the directions exactly and got burn notices both times
Hi Anthony – the key to avoid “burn” notice is to make sure that your inner pot is absolutely clean at the bottom before you start cooking. Also scrape the bottom of the pan and mix all the ingredients well before pressure cooking it.
I made the Mexican rice tonight in my instant pot and I followed the directions to the exact measurements and letting the rice sit untouched and my family loved it! This will be at my table for every Taco Tuesday! Thank you so much for this great recipie!
I am so glad that you liked it Joan. Makes me so happy
Doubled the recipe and used salsa for the tomato sauce. Everyone ate it up. I doubled the recipe for 6 people.
Salsa is a great substitute and adds the right it tang. Thanks for sharing the feedback