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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    BEST EVER Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    Modified: Apr 13, 2022 · Published: Feb 25, 2019 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · 12 Comments

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    Packed with flavor and simple to prepare, you’ll never make rice any other way! Ready to enjoy in under 15 minutes, add the Best Ever Instant Pot Mexican Rice to any meal!

    Mexican Rice fresh out of the Instant Pot

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    A few weeks ago, I shared an Instant Pot Mexican rice recipe that many of you have now tried and loved! Since I love trying new varieties of recipes, I decided to play around with some ingredients and change it up.

    Jump to:
    • This Best Ever Instant Pot Mexican Rice will take any dish to the next level!
    • Mexican Rice is the perfect companion to any mexican dish. Check out a few of my favorites below!
    • Don’t forget to click below to print out your recipe card and get started making this killer side dish today!
    • BEST EVER Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    This Best Ever Instant Pot Mexican Rice will take any dish to the next level!

    This version is just as yummy, yes….equal, haha, but this is the BEST EVER so be sure to try both and see which one your family prefers!

    I simply tossed the ingredients into my Instant Pot and set the timer. Once ready, I removed the lid, fluffed the rice, and served!

    Not only was the flavor incredible, but its was perfectly moist (not dry like some recipes can get), just the right amount of seasoning, and made a great side dish to our taco dinner!! You can change it up if desired and add some corn or beans into it to dress it up even more.

    My family loves Cotija cheese, so we crumbled some on top of ours prior to enjoying! I highly recommend doing that, but only if you like Cotija cheese as it has a distinct “love it or hate it” type of flavor!

    Fluffy Mexican Rice in the Instant Pot

    I have a family of five and this recipe makes enough for one dinner. If you have a bigger family or want leftovers, I recommend doubling the recipe (cook time should stay the same).

    Mexican Rice is the perfect companion to any mexican dish. Check out a few of my favorites below!

    Taco Bake

    Zesty Mexican Chicken Soup

    Instant Pot Beef Enchilada Casserole

    I mentioned my other recipe above, be sure to check it out and I’d love to know which one you prefer!! I’m on Instagram, so come follow me and use the hashtag #thecookinchicks in your food pictures!

    Enjoy!

    Don’t forget to click below to print out your recipe card and get started making this killer side dish today!

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
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    BEST EVER Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    Recipe by: Kristin
    Packed with flavor and simple to prepare, you'll never make rice any other way! Ready to enjoy in under 15 minutes, add this tasty side dish to any meal!
    4.66 from 20 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 177 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot
    • Non Stick Instant Pot Liner

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup long grain rice
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • ¼ cup tomato sauce
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 ½ cups water

    Instructions
     

    • Set Instant Pot to saute mode and add in the oil.
    • Once screen reads HOT, add in the rice and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until a few pieces turn golden brown.
    • Add in the garlic and cook an additional 1 minute.
    • Pour in the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and water.
    • Turn off sauté mode and place lid securely on top. *Ensure valve is in sealing position
    • Select manual, LOW pressure for 12 minutes. Once timer goes off, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before doing a quick release.
    • Once all pressure has released and pin drops, open lid and fluff rice with a fork.
    • Serve!

    Notes

    *You can use salsa in place of the tomato sauce if desired for added flavor

    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 661mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 67IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

     

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      Instant Pot Taco Soup
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    Comments

    1. Kristi says

      November 18, 2023 at 11:55 am

      This is truly THE BEST rice recipe!!! I make it at least once a month and always double it. I’m wondering if you, or anyone, have ever tried it with brown rice. How long would it need to cook?

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        November 26, 2023 at 10:08 am

        Yay!! Love hearing that! I haven’t personally tried it with brown rice, great question! You would want to add a bit more liquid and cook time since brown rice takes longer to cook. I would think that adding 1/2 cup liquids and perhaps 5 additional minutes should be a good starting point! Keep me posted if you try it!

        Reply
    2. JoAnne says

      May 06, 2021 at 12:14 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect just as written! Could not believe it would be this good!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        May 10, 2021 at 9:17 am

        Yay! Glad you enjoyed!!

        Reply
    3. Beverly Eide says

      May 06, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      You said “Under 15 minutes”. It actually took me a little over 30 minutes from start to eating.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        May 07, 2020 at 11:11 am

        I’ll tweak the recipe, thanks!

        Reply
    4. Kathy says

      November 11, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      This is delicious. If I want to double it, do I need to change the cooking time at all?

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        November 12, 2019 at 7:54 am

        Nope, I double it most of the time with no changes other than ingredient amounts! Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Brian says

      August 07, 2019 at 8:34 am

      I looked up another recipe to cook regular white rice with high pressure and it turned out fine. It was high pressure for 3 min and natural pressure release for 12-15 minutes.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        August 07, 2019 at 1:28 pm

        Great info, thanks!

        Reply
    6. Brittany T says

      May 03, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      I want to make this rice but my pressure cooker does not have a low pressure option. I just received it, so I am learning how to use it. How would I alter the time for high pressure? Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        May 05, 2019 at 1:09 pm

        I actually just got a second Instant Pot the other day and noticed it doesn’t have a low option either. I tested it last night using high and it worked great as well! No issue on whether to use high or low! I didn’t know until I tried, hehe! Enjoy!

        Reply
    4.66 from 20 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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