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    Home » Instant Pot Recipe » Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Published: Jun 20, 2020 · Modified: Jul 26, 2020 by Bhawana ·

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    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.

    spanish rice served in black pan with lemon wedges and chilies.
    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    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.

    How To Make Spanish Rice With Salsa hide
    • 1 What is Spanish rice
    • 2 Why you will love this recipe
    • 3 Ingredients
    • 4 How to make instant pot Spanish rice
    • 5 Variations
    • 6 Serving suggestions
    • 7 Storing suggestions
    • 8 Reheating
    • 9 Tips & FAQ's
    • 10 Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    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.

    process shot of making Spanish rice in instant pot

    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.

    process shot of instant pot Spanish rice

    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 for 4 minutes click

    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.

    Click of Spanish rice, after opening the instant pot
    Fluffing the rice with 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.
    a close up click of Spanish rice served in black bowl
    How to make fluffy Spanish rice

    To make fluffy rice you need to sauté white rice in oil for 1-2 minutes.

    What is the difference between Spanish rice and Mexican rice

    There is no particular difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice, both indicate the same recipe.

    Can you make Spanish rice with brown rice

    How do you make Spanish rice with brown rice? Brown rice takes longer to cook, add ½ cup extra water or vegetable stock, and pressure cook for 25 minutes.

    What goes well with Spanish rice

    Serve this rice as a side dish along with tacos, fajitas, refried beans, and enchilada. It is a great dish to fill inside burritos and burrito bowls.
    Spanish rice goes very well as a side dish with Mexican meals like tacos, refried beans, Bean burritos and enchilada.  It works great as a filler to burrito bowls and tacos as well.

    Can you freeze Spanish rice

    You can freeze Spanish rice, store them in freezer-friendly bags and freeze. Thaw overnight or 4 hours before reheating.

    Close up shot of spanish rice in black pan kept over wooden board
    Spanish Rice Instant Pot

    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

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! For more quick & easy recipes, FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Pinterest.

    spanish rice served in black pan with lemon wedges and chilies.

    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Instant pot Spanish Rice is easy & quick to make with just 5 ingredients & ready in 30 minutes. This vegan Spanish rice goes very well with a Mexican meal.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 331kcal
    Author: Bhawana

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    For Salsa

    • 1 tomato medium sized tomato chopped finely
    • ¼ cup onion chopped finely
    • 2 tablespoon green coriander chopped finely
    • 1 tablespoon Serrano chili chopped finely
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • Salt as per taste

    For cooking spanish rice

    • 1.5 cup white rice
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 cup water (use vegetable stock in place of water if avalable)
    • 2 tablespoon onion chopped finely
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Make Salsa

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

    For Spanish Rice

    • Clean and wash the rice nicely. Until you see clear water. Rinse the rice and keep it ready.
    • Switch on the instant pot and press SAUTE mode. 
    • Once you see the HOT button on-screen, add oil.
      process shot of making Spanish rice in instant pot
    • To this add rinsed rice and chopped onion together. Sautés for 3-4 minutes. NOTE don’t let them burn, keep stirring.
    • After 4 minutes add vegetable stock or plain water. Deglaze the pot.
      process shot of instant pot Spanish rice
    • Now add salsa and adjust salt as per taste. Mix well.
    • Close and seal the lid. CANCEL the SAUTE button. Press PRESSURE COK mode and set time for 4 minutes. Pressure cook it for 4 minutes.
      pressure cook for 4 minutes click
    • After the timer over. Let the pressure release naturally. Unlock the lid and fluff the rice with the fork.
      Click of Spanish rice, after opening the instant pot

    Video

    Notes

    Tips 
    • 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.
     
    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 304IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Code2Cook2017 or tag #Code2Cook!
    « Mango Raita
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shruthi

      July 03, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing, Bhawana! Though I might use jalapenos instead of Serrano to satisfy my spice happy palette 😉

      Reply
    2. Kiwi

      April 25, 2020 at 12:20 am

      Yum right up my alley. I love Spanish rice great recipe.

      Reply
    3. Mindspeaks

      April 22, 2020 at 1:37 am

      I will be cooking this spanish rice because this looks so delicious and easy as well .Thanks

      Reply
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    Hi, Bhawana Singh! Code2Cook is all about Vegetarian, Vegan, recipes which are tasty and easy to make. All recipes are given clear instructions with step by step photos.

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