Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Instant pot Spanish Rice is an easy and family-friendly recipe to make in the instant pot. With just 5 ingredients this vegan Spanish rice goes very well with Mexican meal planning.

This budget-friendly Spanish rice is ready in under 30 minutes in an instant pot. You can make it in a rice cooker or Indian pressure cooker as well. Learn how to make Spanish rice in the instant pot.

Making Spanish rice in instant pot looks very easy and quick. Just dump and start pressure cook mode and no need to watch it.

It comes out fluffy, properly cooked, and fragrant. You can handle the spiciness by using chili as per taste.

This recipe is from Aileen’s book “I love my instant pot affordable meals recipe book“. I got a copy of the cookbook in exchange for the review. All opinions are mine.

What is Spanish rice

Spanish rice, also known as Mexican rice, is a rice-based side dish to prepare using rice, salsa, onion, and garlic. It is flavored and makes a perfect filler for Mexican meals.

This is best instant pot Spanish rice recipe made with just few ingredients.

Why you will love this recipe

Spanish rice with salsa is a perfect rice dish to make with garlic, onion, oil & rice.

• It is quick and easy to make
• Gets ready under 30 minutes
• Uses just 5 ingredients
• Kid-friendly
• Healthy 
• Budget-friendly

Making in an instant pot this rice dish is fuss-free. Spanish rice is perfectly flavored to go with any Mexican meal like refried beans.

Ingredients

Please check RECIPE CARD for detailed ingredients list with accurate measurement.

Spanish rice is really easy to make with available pantry staples. Below is the list required to make this vegan Spanish rice recipe.

• Rice– I am using long grain basmati rice. You can also use brown rice for this recipe. Just make sure to cook for the required time.
• Salsa– You can use leftover tomato salsa for this recipe. I have given the separate ingredient list for making fresh salsa for this Spanish rice recipe.
• Oil– I used olive oil for this recipe, but ghee, avocado oil will also work.
• Vegetable stock or water– Adding vegetable stock will enhance the rice flavors, but you can use plain water as well if stock is not available. I used plain water.
• Onion– Sauteeing rice with onion is the secret to make fluffy Spanish rice.

How to make instant pot Spanish rice

Let’s learn how to make homemade Spanish rice from scratch, step by step

Step-1 Prepare salsa & rice

Mix every ingredient mentioned under the salsa ingredients list. keep it ready.

Clean and wash the rice nicely. Until you see clear water. Rinse the rice and keep it ready.

Step-2 Saute onion & rice together

Switch on the instant pot and press SAUTE mode. Once you see the HOT button on-screen, add oil.

To this add rinsed rice and chopped onion together. Sautés for 3-4 minutes. NOTE don’t let them burn, keep stirring.

Step-3 Add vegetable stock or water & salsa

After 4 minutes add vegetable stock or plain water. Deglaze the pot.

Now add salsa and adjust salt as per taste. Mix well.

Step-4 PRESSURE cook for 4 minutes

Close and seal the lid. CANCEL the SAUTE button. Press PRESSURE COOK mode and set time for 4 minutes.

Pressure cook it for 4 minutes.

Step-5 natural Pressure Release & fluff the rice

After the timer over. Let the pressure release naturally. Unlock the lid and fluff the rice with the fork.

Variations

• You can use beans to make this Spanish rice.
• White rice can also be replaced with brown rice.
• You can use tomato sauce instead of salsa.
• Use diced tomato to make this easy Spanish rice
• You can also use canned tomatoes.

Serving suggestions

Spanish rice in the instant pot is a one-pot dish to make any time when I want to break the monotony of making plain white rice. However, I like to serve Spanish rice as per the below choice.

• With tacos– Serve this alongside any variety of Tacos.
• Burrito filling & in burrito bowl– Use as a filling in burritos or adding in burritos bowls.
• With enchilada– A perfect side dish with an enchilada.
• With beans– You can make Spanish rice with beans or make instant pot black beans and serve along with it.

Storing suggestions

Best is to serve immediately. To store is let it cool down. In the fridge, you can store for 3-4 days.

In case for a long duration just keep them in freezer-friendly bags and freeze for more than a month.

Reheating

To reheat the rice, just take out and thaw. Splash with some water and microwave it for 1-2 minutes.

Tips & FAQ’s

• Use long-grain white or brown rice to make this Spanish rice.
• It is a must to saute for a few minutes with oil and chopped onion. This will make the rice very fluffy.
• Use vegetable broth to make rice for fragrant and flavorful. I used plain water.
• You can also use bell peppers, beans, and more veggies.

You may also like other Mexican recipes

• Homemade Guacamole Recipe
• Tomatillo Salsa Verde
• Corn Salsa
• Mini Taco Salad Canapes
• Strawberry mango Salsa
• Fresh Mango Salsa

Here are a list of Instant Pot Recipes which are beginner friendly as well.

• Instant pot ghee homemade
• Easy to peel hard-boiled eggs
• Instant pot palak paneer
• Instant pot beets
• Sarson ka saag in instant pot
• Instant pot urad dal
• Vegan tofu curry
• Instant pot cold start yogurt

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