Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

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how to make Mexican restaurant style Red Rice?

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.

Restaurant style Mexican Rice
Mexican Restaurant Style Rice

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 Recipes3 Ingredients Refried Beans, Black Bean Soup, Pinto Beans, Black Beans, Chipotle Burrito Bowl, Salsa Verde, Salsa Restaurant style and more.

Mexican Rice Ingredients

White RiceBasmati Rice or any long grain rice

Cooking Oil

SpicesCayenne Pepper Powder, Salt, Cumin, Paprika Powder

Fresh Produce – White Onions, Garlic

Canned IngredientsTomato Sauce, low sodium

Garnish – Cilantro leaves, Green scallions, Lime Juice

Kitchen Gadgets

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Chopping Board and Knife

Kitchen stirring spoon

Kitchen Colander

6 quart Instant Pot

Instant Pot Liner

 

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 restaurant style Red Rice?

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

Print Pin
3.66 from 23 votes

Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

This Restaurant Style Arroz Rojo or Mexican Red Rice is so yummy. Instant Pot makes it so easy to put together. Gas top instructions included.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex Mex
Keyword Arroz Rojo, instant pot recipe, Mexican Rice
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Pressure release time & resting time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 57kcal
Author simplyvegetarian777

Equipment

  • Measuring Spoons, Measuring Cups, Stirring Spoon,
  • Instant Pot 6 quart or Mealthy Multipot
  • Chopping board and knife
  • Kitchen Colander
  • Inner Pot
  • Kitchen Spatula

Ingredients

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

You can follow us on FacebookInstagramPinterest & Twitter & You-tube for regular updates. And don’t forget to sign up for our E-Letter whenever we publish a new post.

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 Liner

Nutrition

Serving: 6people | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

I am sure you are going to make this recipe soon. Please leave your feedback in the comments section.

Thanks,

Sonal

 

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9 Comments

  1. Can you make this without the ceramic insert inside of the pot (just use the insert that comes with the Instant Pot)?

  2. I have tried this recipe twice. Using exact measurements and following the directions exactly and got burn notices both times

    1. 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.

  3. 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!