Instant Pot Mexican Rice

By Weatherly Becker-GottliebAug 27, 2024Jump to Recipe

A quick and easy way to achieve delicious and traditional Mexican Rice.

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I talk a lot about my love of Mexican cuisine – tacos, not only on Tuesdays, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, tortas, and a nice carne asada. When it comes to Mexican cuisine there are not many dishes I do not love. Of course, there are certain things that always bring a meal together, sure I love tacos, but when I just eat tacos, I feel like something is missing. A well-cooked carne asada is tender and flavorful but you need to have a side, and I believe the most important side in Mexican cuisine is Mexican rice. There have even been times when all I want for dinner is a bowl of Mexican rice. Don’t judge me! I like my rice.

Mexican rice is not only delicious, but it is an incredibly easy dish to make, it just takes time. That all changed when I found this recipe for Instant Pot Mexican rice. Using the Instant Pot I got for my birthday last year I was now able to get the same quality Mexican rice in a fraction of the time. It takes more time to prepare your ingredients than it does to cook, and that is a good problem to have.

The history of Mexican rice dates all the way back to the Spanish colonization of Mexico. With the Spaniards came rice via the Moors of North Africa, and when they arrived in Mexico the tropical climate proved ideal for growing and harvesting this useful crop. The flavor of Mexican rice is also distinct and unique. The blend of aromatics from onion and garlic meets with the spices of cumin and chili powder to give Mexican rice a light and inviting taste that is not overpowering or too hot. The slight acidity brought on by the tomato sauce and vegetable broth is also key to the perfect flavor of Mexican rice. The fact that this recipe uses the fast cooking methods of the Instant Pot and still retains all that incredible flavor is the beauty of this incredible recipe.

Is Instant Pot Mexican Rice Healthy?

Mexican rice itself is reasonably healthy due to the healthy nature of many of its ingredients. The beauty of this Instant Pot Mexican rice in particular is in the reduced amount of oil used in the cooking process, thus making an already reasonably healthy dish even healthier. The health benefits of onions and garlic as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and antiseptics, blended with the carbohydrates in the rice, and the multiple benefits of cumin make Mexican rice a dish that aids in digestion and general wellness. This recipe is also one hundred percent vegan, with no animal products of any kind, making it the ideal side for any Mexican entrée.

What is the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?

Often compared and mistaken for one another, Mexican and Spanish rice do, in fact, have multiple things that make them different. One key difference is texture. Spanish rice tends to be more wet and sticks together in clumps and Mexican rice is fluffier and does not generally stick together. Spanish rice is also traditionally a rich yellow color whereas Mexican rice is best known for its reddish-orange hue that comes from both its tomato sauce and cumin. That cumin is also the largest component to the flavor differences between Spanish and Mexican rice. Spanish rice has a more acidic tomato flavor while Mexican rice has a nuttier flavor and a hint of spice that comes from being cooked with cumin.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3/4 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Sauté

Brown the rice with onions and garlic.

Combine

Add broth, tomato sauce, and spices.

Cook

Pressure cook and let it release naturally.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

To store leftover Instant Pot Mexican rice, let your Mexican rice cool to room temperature, put it into a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat your Instant Pot Mexican rice, add a tablespoon of water and reheat on the stovetop, stirring regularly until warm throughout.

Can I make additions to my instant pot Mexican rice?

This recipe is very basic and can easily be enhanced by adding some more vegetables. To make a more homestyle Mexican rice you can add peas, diced carrots, or corn for an additional crunch and more nutrients.

Can I use chicken broth for my instant pot Mexican rice?

Of course! I will sometimes substitute chicken broth into my Instant Pot Mexican rice, especially if I plan to pair it with a chicken dish.

Serving Suggestions

As I have already said, this Instant Pot Mexican rice has such a delicious and authentic flavor that it highlights any Mexican cuisine you pair it with. My favorite is to serve it with some delicious Grilled Chicken Tenders or Oven-Baked Chicken and some cooked Black Beans. It also makes a wonderful complement to carne asada or carnitas. Additionally, you can easily use this Instant Pot Mexican rice in a burrito with whatever protein filling you prefer.

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