Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe

3.66 from 23 votes

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.

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Pressure release time & resting time10

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex Mex

Keyword: Arroz Rojo, instant pot recipe, Mexican Rice

Servings:

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

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 Ric e 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 -

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

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

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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