Instant Pot Mexican rice is easier than you think! This recipe starts with simple ingredients and ends with moist, flavorful rice impossible to resist!
Post may include affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, you won’t pay anything extra but it will help support this blog.
The more Instant Pot recipes I try, the more I fall in love with my 6-quart Instant Pot. It started with Instant Pot Cafe Rio sweet pork and moved to loaded Instant Pot mashed potatoes followed by easy Instant Pot pork chops with mushroom gravy.
When I first bought my Instant Pot, I was a little intimidated. It had way more buttons than my slow cooker and “pressure cooking” seemed way beyond my skill set.
But I’ve found my successful Instant Pot recipes outnumber my fails (only one fail to date!) and there are a bazillion Instant Pot guides to help us newbies.
Fortunately this easy Instant Pot Mexican rice is a great recipe if you’re new to cooking with an electric pressure cooker. Althought it does require you to use your Instant Pot in two different ways, don’t be overwhelmed!
If I can do it, you can do it!
I first made this easy Mexican rice on the stovetop, but I’m here to tell you, it was even easier in the pressure cooker. And I swear it was even more moist and flavorful!
My kids LOVED this easy Mexican rice in the Instant Pot, which is saying a lot. They’re picky about rice and rarely can I get them to agree on a rice side dish.
But everyone had seconds, and a few of us may have had thirds. Don’t judge.
This easy recipe for Mexican rice calls for Calde de Tomate (tomato bouillon), which I found at my local grocery store. (You can also find it on Amazon.com here.) But if you can’t find it or order it, you could use chicken or vegetable bouillon. It won’t be quite is rich a tomato flavor but it will still be yummy!
I wasn’t sure why you would sauté the rice before cooking no matter the cooking method, so I did a little research.
Why Do You Sauté Rice Before Cooking?
- When you sauté rice before boiling or cooking, the rice can absorb flavors from whatever oil or fat your sautéing them with. For example, butter will give it more of a toasted, nutty flavor, sesame oil will give it a bit of Asian flavor, and olive oil will give it… well, an olive oil (fruit) flavor.
- If you sauté rice with seasonings like spices or garlic, the rice gets infused with those seasonings. All the more reason to add more garlic!
- When you sauté rice or other grains, the rice gets a bit toasted on the outside (yum!). This slightly toasted exterior keeps the rice from becoming too mushy and the grains perfectly sticky!
Once you try this easy Instant Pot Mexican rice, you’ll never want to cook rice any other way!
Okay, maybe you’ll have to cook it on the stovetop if your Instant Pot is busy cooking that Cafe Rio sweet pork!
If you want more Instant Pot recipes, The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook: Easy Recipes for Fast & Healthy Meals looks like a good one and has great reviews!
Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Instant Pot Mexican rice is easier than you think! This recipe starts with simple ingredients and ends with moist, flavorful rice impossible to resist!
Ingredients
- 2 T canola oil
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce
- 2 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 4 tsp Calde de Tomate (tomato bouillon)
- 3 tsp fresh minced garlic
Instructions
- Add oil to Instant Pot and press Saute setting. Saute rice, stirring constantly, for several minutes until rice starts turning golden brown.
- Gently pour in water. Add tomato sauce, chili powder, Calde de Tomate, and minced garlic.
- Lock lid and select Manual at High Pressure. Set timer for 4 minutes. Once beep sounds, turn off pressure cooker. Naturally release pressure for 10 minutes followed by a quick release. Remove lid when valve drops.
- Fluff rice and let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
FOLLOW HALF-SCRATCHED ON INSTAGRAM (@half_scratched) and share the recipes you're whipping up in the kitchen. Don't forget the #HALFSCRATCHED hashtag so we can see what you've made!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 150 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 1271mg Carbohydrates: 22g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 3g Protein: 3g
Kristy
Mmmm I love Mexican rice! Even better it’s made in the instant pot!
Emily Hill
Agreed! It’s so easy!
Pam Dana
I love making rice in the Instant Pot! It’s so quick and allows you to add such flavor!
Emily Hill
I know! I’m totally converted!
Lisa
I used to think I could cook a decent pot of rice on the stove … until the first time I cooked it in my IP. Waaay better! I bet the flavors you use are also more concentrated using a pressure cooker. This looks delicious.
Emily Hill
I think that’s the secret–all those flavors are concentrated and intensified in the IP!
Julia
I have an Insta Pot but haven’t tried rice in it yet. I have to try this one-looks so flavorful!
Emily Hill
I hope you like it!
Marisa Franca
What a tasty way to serve rice!! Frankly I prefer it to plain rice on the side. I will try out your recipe but I unfortunately I’m still not on the pressure cooker bandwagon. I’m hoping to soon, though. I’ll pin your recipe to try later.
Emily Hill
You could try it on the stovetop. Simply saute in a large saucepan per the directions and then add the remaining ingredients and simmer until done (probably 20 minutes or so). But keep an eye on it just in case!
Aimee
I am always on the hunt for new instant pot recipes! This rice dish is PERFECT and my family will love it too.
Emily Hill
I hope they do like it!
Jessica
I love this!!! Thank you so much!
Emily Hill
I hope you try it!
Tisha
Such a great easy recipe for a mexican side dish!!!
Emily Hill
Agreed! So easy and yummy!
Kim - Today's Creative Life
Yum! I love rice! I still need to use my Instant Pot… this recipe will help!
Emily Hill
This is a great one to try!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy
Such a delicious side dish! I use my IP at least once a week, can’t wait to try this recipe as well.
Emily Hill
I’m starting to use it more too. It’s awesome!
Anna
What would you set the timer at if I were to cut this recipe in half? Thanks!
Emily Hill
I really don’t know. I’m not super expert with the Instant Pot yet, but from what I understand, halving or doubling the recipe doesn’t usually change the time much. I would do some research. Wish I could be more helpful!
Vicky
I’m not sure what I did wrong, but the burn signal came on, the ride was sticking to the bottom and was still crunchy? Im pretty new to the IP scene
Emily Hill
I’m fairly new too. The only thing I can think of is there wasn’t enough water/liquid. Did you add both cans of tomato sauce and 2 cups plus 1/2 cup of water?
Shelby
Flavors were delicious. I’m not sure if it was the type of rice rice I used since we got a different type/brand than I usually get for my rice cooker but it cooked inconsistently and was a little liquidy. I’m new to using the IP and so far rice has been the only thing that doesn’t do as well. :( It tasted good enough though that my husband and I still ate it and enjoyed it enough that we’re going to try making it in the standard rice cooker on Mexican night next week
Emily Hill
I’m sorry it didn’t cook evenly! I’m new-ish to the IP as well and don’t always have recipes turn out. I wish I could be of more help! Hopefully using a standard rice cooker will work better. Glad it was still edible!
Donna
Can this recipe be doubled with the same result?
Emily Hill
I wish I knew but I’ve never tried it! I think it might be hard for the rice to cook evenly and the bottom may burn. But I can’t be sure. Sorry!
Amanda
I made this for my family and the flavor was great but undortunately the rice was way undercooked made it again and upped the cook time to 10 minutes and its perfect
Thanks so much
Emily Hill
I’m so sorry it didn’t cook thoroughly the first time. I’ve had this issue the last couple times I’ve made it. I’m going to try increasing the cook time by about 5 minutes on my IP!
Tess
Can this be made in a mini instant pot? Or would I have to half the recipe?
Emily Hill
I haven’t ever tried it in a mini Instant Pot. When I make it in my 6-quart size, it’s at least half full after cooking, so it would depend on the size of your smaller one. You may want to half the recipe just to be safe!
Monica
PERFECTION! I tried another recipe and it was not a hit. This is my second time trying a Mexican rice recipe and it was great. I will NEVER cook rice on my stove again. Thank you!
Emily Hill
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it!
Alice
Not sure what I am doing wrong, but I’ve tried this twice and it burned. I followed each step and once it reached the pressure to start the four minutes it says burnt. I have it set on high pressure; but should it be less or more?
Emily Hill
Oh no! I once had it get a little toasty but never burnt. Maybe try setting it for a little less time (3 minutes instead of 4) and adding a little more water (2 3/4 cup instead of 2 1/2). Hope that helps!
Beth
I have made this before and it was perfect. Did the same today and got a burn notice. So sad! Has there been a solution that actually worked to prevent this? I see comments above but no real answer how to prevent it
Emily Hill
I’ve had it come out a little toasty sometimes too. I haven’t figured out the answer. Sometimes I think it has to do with altitude and others with the weather. Also, the type of rice can change the results. I once used basmati or something other than long grain and it didn’t work as well. Sorry I’m not more help!
Kimberly J Matthiensen
I’ve tried this recipe twice and both times my instant pot went to “burn” and I had to finish it in a pot. :(
Kimberly J Matthiensen
Actually I just realized I use Jasmine rice not long grain, could that have something to do with it?
Emily Hill
I’m no expert but I have had it turn out differently when I use different kinds of rice. Maybe try long grain and decrease the cook time a minute or two.