Instant Pot Mexican Rice (Easy & Authentic Recipe)
Ingredients:
avocado oil, or more as needed
1 Tablespoons
medium onion, finely chopped
½
large cloves garlic, minced
2
long-grain rice
1 Cups
low-sodium chicken stock
1 ½ Cups
tomato sauce
½ Cups
salt
1 Teaspoons
ground cumin
¼ Teaspoons
pinch cayenne pepper
1
Servings
Preparation mode:
👉 Instant Pot Mexican rice is fluffy, tomato-rich and full of gentle spice – the perfect side for tacos, burritos and enchiladas. Using the pressure cooker makes it quick and almost hands-off.
🍳 How to Make Instant Pot Mexican Rice
1. Sauté the onion. Switch the Instant Pot to Sauté (medium). Heat the avocado oil, add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring now and then, until soft and translucent
2. Add the garlic. Stir in the garlic and cook for 20–30 seconds until fragrant
3. Toast the rice. Add the rice and stir well so every grain is coated in oil. Cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly toasted
4. Add the liquid. Pour in the chicken stock and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the tomato sauce, salt, cumin and cayenne and stir well
5. Pressure cook. Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing and cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes (the pot takes 10–15 minutes to come up to pressure first)
6. Release and fluff. Quick-release the pressure, open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and give it a final stir before serving
😋 Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Toasting the rice first gives it a nutty flavor and keeps the grains separate, while the tomato and cumin add that classic restaurant-style taste.
💡 Tips for the Best Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Toasting the rice is essential – don’t skip it.
Scrape the bottom well after adding stock to avoid a burn warning.
Use long-grain white rice; brown rice needs a longer cooking time.
Stir in chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime before serving for extra freshness.
🍽️ Serving & Storage
Keeps in the fridge for 4 days and freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water.
❓ Instant Pot Mexican Rice FAQ
Is Mexican rice the same as Spanish rice? In the US the names are often used for the same tomato-based rice dish, which comes from Mexican cooking.
Can I use vegetable stock? Yes – it makes the dish vegetarian.
This Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe is a quick and easy way to make perfectly fluffy and flavorful rice at home. Made with simple ingredients and cooked under pressure, this dish is ideal as a side for tacos, burritos, and grilled meats.
