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Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice all the great flavors of Mexican Rice made easy with the use of salsa and a few items from your pantry. Loaded with lots of flavor and convenience.
You guys know I love quick and easy and this one is easy enough to make for Taco Tuesday every week! It’s tasty and uses things I always have in my pantry and fridge. Well, if you are like me and keep salsa around like mayo 😉
It really is so simple and really tasty! It’s a perfect side for any Mexican Food Dish and one I really think you will enjoy. Using convenient items you have arounds makes this a no brainer! But there is no skimping on DELISH here either!
Instant Pot Mexican Rice Ingredients
- White Rice – Long grain works best. Rinse it so it doesn’t get sticky.
- Vegetable or Canola Oil – Either’s fine! Just a neutral oil to sauté.
- Onion – Adds great flavor. Yellow or white both work.
- Chicken Stock – Gives it that rich, savory depth. You can sub with veggie broth too.
- Salsa – This is the flavor bomb! Use your favorite—mild, medium, or spicy.
- Cumin – Warm, earthy goodness. Totally makes it taste like Mexican rice.
- Minced Garlic – Fresh or jarred—either brings in that little punch of flavor.
- Salt – Season to taste! Start with what’s listed and adjust if needed.
How to Make Mexican Rice in Instant Pot
Step 1: Rinse the rice.
Place the rice in a mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps keep the rice from getting sticky.
Step 2: Sauté.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté and let it heat up. Add oil and diced onion. Cook for about 2 minutes until the onion is soft. Add in the garlic during the last 30 seconds.
Step 3: Toast the rice.
Stir in the rice and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often. This adds a little extra flavor and keeps the texture nice.
Step 4: Add liquids and seasoning.
Pour in the chicken stock, salsa, cumin, and salt. Stir well and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to prevent anything from sticking.
Step 5: Pressure cook.
Lock the lid in place and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Make sure the steam valve is sealed.
Step 6: Quick release and fluff.
When the timer goes off, do a quick release by carefully turning the steam valve to venting. This allows the steam to release immediately (use a towel or spoon to protect your hand from the hot steam).
Once the pin drops, open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. It may look like there’s extra liquid, but once fluffed, it all comes together.
How to Make Mexican Rice (Stovetop)
Step 1: Rinse the rice.
Use a mesh strainer to rinse the rice.
Step 2: Sauté.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic during the last 30 seconds.
Step 3: Toast the rice.
Add the rinsed rice and stir for 2–3 minutes until lightly toasted.
Step 4: Add liquids and seasoning.
Pour in chicken stock (add about ¼ cup more than the Instant Pot version), salsa, cumin, and salt. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Simmer.
Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 20–25 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Step 6: Fluff and serve.
Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and serve warm.
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A FEW MEXICAN FAVORITES IN THE SOULFULLY MADE KITCHEN
- Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
- Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Smokey Charro Beans
- Walking Tacos
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
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Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- ½ tsp garlic, minced
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 2 ⅓ cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse rice with water in a mesh strainer.
- Set the Instant Pot {6 Quart} to Saute setting and let it get hot.
- Saute vegetable oil and onion and until cook until translucent, about 2, during the last minute add in garlic.
- Add in rice and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in chicken stock, salsa, cumin, and salt into the rice. Scrape bottom of pan with wooden spoon to be sure nothing is stuck to the bottom.
- Lock the lid in place, set to manual high pressure and set time to 10 minutes.
- Make sure the steam valve is set to sealed.
- Once the time is up, push the steam valve open and let all the steam release.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
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Notes
STOVE TOP EASY MEXICAN RICE INSTRUCTIONS
- Measure out and rinse the rice.
- In a skillet over medium high heat, pour 1 teaspoon of vegetable or canola oil. Add diced onion and cook until translucent about 2 minutes, during the last minute add in garlic.
- Next add in the rice and saute it about 2 to 3 minutes (while stirring it around), then add in chicken stock (add about 1/4 cup more of broth or water for stovetop cooking), salsa, cumin and salt. Place a lid on top and reduce to simmer and cook on stove top for 20 to 25 minutes until tender.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
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Each time I make this it burns on the bottom. Do you have any advice how to make this stop happening?
Brenda, take a wooden spoon after putting in the chicken stock and scrape the bottom and make sure you don’t have any bits stuck to the bottom. That can cause that burn notice. I have not had that happen with this one even if I miss that scraping step, but it can happen if something is stuck or you don’t have enough liquid. Are you using a 6 qt IP?
This was the first recipe I tried with my IP it appeared to be alittle moist but thickened up from the rice absortion and it turned out fabulous!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Welcome to the IP world! I am working on some new recipes to get up soon! This is one of my favorites!
Just made this in my new instant pot. I used parboiled rice and followed the instructions exactly as written. Turned out perfectly cooked! Thanks for the recipe!
You are so welcome and I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Well, I LOVED your old recipe so much, I am giving that a 5 star~ but where did it go???? I just went crazy looking for it only to realize it’s changed! Nooooooo!
Thank you so much Bridget. I mostly updated the pictures. I made a slight change to the recipe, only adding a little garlic and cumin. Also adding the step to rinse the rice. You can omit those and you will still have the original recipe.
I tried this today for the first time in the IP. I usually make this dish on the stovetop but I had other things on the go so I thought I would give it a shot. I was pleased to see that it came out well but it was a little chewy for our taste. I imagine that the cook time can vary with the type of rice. I did a little hack and without adding any more watee I sealed up the pot again and put it on the egg setting but only let it cook 2 minutes to make it a little softer and it was PERFECT. Kids loved it. Will have to double the recipe next time. Thank you!
How long should I cook it in an 8qt?
I have not ever made this in an 8 qt, I would think the time would remain the same. It may take a little longer to come to pressure.
We’ve made this once and it is very good. How long do you recommend we cook it for a double batch? Thanks!
I haven’t tested it with double the recipe, but the same amount of time should work well with this one.
I wanted to try this recipe but didn’t have salsa without mango in it so I used a can of rotel tomatoes and home made chicken broth. It was very good but next time, I’ll try the salsa. I may sauté some ground beef before and add the rice for a Mexican rice meal.
Thanks. Tonight, I’m cooking your enchiladas!
Adding beef sounds delicious for a complete meal! I love the idea! Snap a pick of your meal and share it with us on our facebook group or IG (I would love to see it)! I hope you enjoy the enchiladas too! It sounds like the perfect meal for Cinco de Mayo! <3 Nikki
I’ve made this twice and it’s so delicious! Wondering if you’ve ever used brown rice and if so, what are the modifications? Thanks!
Thank you!! I am so glad it turned out delicious! I have not made it with brown rice. That would be a healthier option. If I do I will give you a shout to let you know if it needs modifications. <3 Nikki
In case it helps anyone else, I did it with long grain brown rice today. I did 15 minutes high pressure and then let it naturally release and it turned out perfectly. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing!
I love this recipe! I have made it multiple time and it always comes out great.
Thank you so much Carla! You made my day!! I love how easy it is! So glad you have come by and hope you stop back by often!
I must try this method. Looks so good and easier to do than my method.
Thank you for stopping by Wanda! It is very easy, I hope you do! I would love to hear how it goes for you!
My instant pot is the first “gadget” I have bought in a long time that is worth its weight in gold! They are so versatile!
I agree 🙂 LOVE IT!! Hope you have a wonderful week Constance!!
Yum! Such a great use of the instant pot. I would love to try this rice with those enchiladas!
Thank you Tara! I love how easy they both are!! I’d love how it goes if you make them!
I’m starting to feel like I need an instant pot… great recipe! Love how easy and flavorful it is.
Thank you Liz! I felt the same way until not too long ago. I finally purchased one and love it! Still want to experiment and make more recipes.
I love Mexican rice but can’t quite make it right. Can’t wait to try this. Don’t you just love that Instant Pot?!
I love it too! This is such an easy version but love it! I hope you do too! I am so glad I finally bought one! It’s been fun creating recipes and cooking things so quickly! I want to try cheesecake soon!
Love that this cooks in the instant pot – I need to try this! I have a pressure cooker at home but pretty much never use it. Also love that this recipe uses salsa – brilliant way to add in a whole depth of flavor!
Thank you Vicky! I love the flavor the salsa gives and makes it super easy! I am fairly new to IP and trying a few things out. This one was a win with my family.
I love rice in all its forms but I never tried preparing it like that ! Thanks for sharing this, it looks really easy. I’ll give it a try as soon as possible 🙂
Thank you! It really is super easy and very tasty! Let me know how it works out for you!
Oh, wow..rice cooked with salsa looks so tempting and delicious. Thanx for sharing.
Thank you! The salsa gives it a lot of flavor!
I absolutely love rice dishes, this sounds so delicious!
Thank you!
I think I’m the only person on the planet that doesn’t have an instant pot! I’m sure I could manage this rice on the stovetop though! Love the salsa in it! That’s a genius shortcut!
I haven’t had mine very long. I felt the same way. I have loved experimenting with things I already make in other ways.