Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe

This delicious Spanish rice recipe is packed with authentic flavor. Quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot, it’s a delicious side dish for all of your Mexican favorites.

I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love taco night, and I’ve met a lot of people. My family loves it, our friends love it, and I’ll just bet that taco night is a hit at your house as well.

There are three things I personally love about Mexican food in general, and taco nights especially.

• They are easy to prepare for large crowds. Hello, party of 15.
• Taco night (or burrito night, or enchilada night) is basically a vehicle for delicious sides and toppings, something most of my family and guests seem to agree upon.
• Because of all those different toppings and sides [link new tacos toppings], everyone gets to choose what they like best.

When you see how easy and authentically delicious this Instant Pot Spanish rice recipe is, you will be adding this Mexican dish to your next taco night, too!

INSTANT POT SPANISH RICE RECIPE

I love this Instant Pot Spanish rice recipe because it’s so warm and flavorful, but also because it’s:

• Quick! Fluffy white rice cooks in just a few minutes, and brown rice within 30 minutes!
• Easy. Combine the ingredients, set the Instant Pot, and walk away!
• Kid-friendly. This is a perfect meal (or side dish) to feed a group, and kids love it because it’s mild, but definitely not boring!
• Freezer-friendly. Make ahead for your monthly meal plan, freeze it, and store it flat in freezer bags. Just grab, warm, and serve!
• AND it’s easily adaptable to food allergies or dietary preferences.

EASY SPANISH MEXICAN RICE RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• Rice. You can use any type of rice for Spanish rice, but I chose to use brown rice in order to eat more whole grains. If you only have long grain rice, go for it! Whatever rice you use, you need RAW rice to use the Instant Pot or COOKED rice for the stovetop.
• Water. You can also use Homemade Stock or vegetable stock. Chicken broth with give it a boost in protein and nutrients.
• Butter. You can substitute olive oil if you need dairy-free Spanish rice.
• Salt. Adding salt to rice during cooking helps the rice absorb the flavor better.
• Yellow Onion. Yellow onions are a bit sharp and pungent when they’re raw, but add a subtle sweetness when cooked, adding depth to the flavor of the Spanish Mexican rice recipe. White onions work, too.
• Canned Tomatoes. Use almost any type of canned tomatoes, except tomato sauce (this often triggers a burn notice on the Instant Pot). I typically have canned diced tomatoes on hand, but whatever you have in your pantry, or whatever you find on sale, will work.
• Homemade Taco Seasoning. Here is how to make taco seasoning, and you can adjust the spice level to your liking.
• Frozen Vegetables. I use a blend of carrots, peas, corn, and green beans for my easy Spanish rice because that’s what the Mexican restaurants serve, but feel free to finish any lingering open bags in the freezer. A “Mexican” blend of green bell pepper and onion is good too!

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HOW TO MAKE SPANISH RICE IN THE INSTANT POT

Step 1: Place uncooked rice, water, or Chicken Stock, butter, salt, onion, tomatoes, and Homemade Taco Seasoning in the Instant Pot and stir gently.

Step 2: Lock the lid, seal the valve, and cook Spanish rice on high pressure for 22 minutes for brown rice, or 3 minutes for white rice.

Step 3: When the timer goes off, use the quick-release method.

Step 4: Next, stir in the frozen vegetables and lock the lid. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes. The vegetables will cook in the residual heat.

Step 5: Finally, season with salt if desired, and fluff the rice with a fork. Spanish rice tastes great the day it’s made, but it’s also delicious as leftovers!

Store any leftover Spanish rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze in a freezer bag for 4-6 months. You may need to add a Tablespoon of water when reheating if the rice seems dry.

HOW TO MAKE SPANISH RICE ON THE STOVETOP

If you have rice already cooked and stored in the freezer (which means you’re already following Crumbs’ tips for batch cooking), you can absolutely use it for making homemade Spanish rice! Just follow these stovetop instructions.

Step 1. Start with 4 cups of cooked brown or white rice in a large stockpot.

Step 2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.

Step 3. Finally, bring to a boil and then turn the heat down. Simmer over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed and the vegetables are cooked through, for about 10-15 minutes.

TIPS FOR MAKING SPANISH RICE

• Make your own taco seasoning! You have wiggle room with the rice, canned tomatoes, and veggies… But PLEASE, do NOT use store-bought taco seasoning. Homemade seasoning is cheaper, healthier, and tastes way better. You probably already have chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried oregano on hand.
• This recipe is entirely gluten-free, as long as you make your own Taco Seasoning, since store-bought seasoning blends often have gluten as a filler. You’ll also want to be sure that your rice hasn’t been processed in a facility that processes gluten.
• For a simple meal, use this basic Spanish rice recipe as a base and add some protein. Chicken, chorizo, or beans make great add-ins for a delicious, budget-friendly, well-rounded meal. Don’t forget all the yummy toppings for an amazing taco bowl.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH EASY SPANISH RICE RECIPE

I serve Spanish rice alongside one of my favorite proteins, along with ALL the taco fixings. Try these taco night favorites:

• Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde Sauce
• Slow Cooker Carnitas
• Ground Beef Taco Meat
• Crockpot Refried Beans
• Homemade Corn Tortillas
• Homemade Flour Tortillas
• Simple Guacamole
• Homemade Salsa
• Lime Crema

MACRO-FRIENDLY SPANISH RICE MEXICAN RICE

Since the calories for this Spanish rice recipe come mostly from carbohydrates, you can make it fit your daily macro or nutrition goals by adding protein and produce.

• Shredded Chicken
• Sausage links or chorizo
• Spicy Citrus Black Beans
• Instant Pot Steamed Shrimp
• Slow Cooker Chicken Taco filling

To keep carbs in check, serve yourself a small portion of Spanish rice, or add it to a big bowl of shredded lettuce along with your favorite toppings for a yummy taco salad.

What about fat? Sour cream, cheese, and avocado will all add healthy fats to your plate. On the flip side, if you need a lower-fat meal, salsas and seasoned vegetables provide plenty of flavor, so you won’t be missing out if you need to skip the higher-fat condiments!

HOMEMADE RECIPE OF SPANISH RICE FAQS

MORE EASY INSTANT POT RECIPES

• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Sweet Potatoes
• Whole Chicken
• Barbecue Chicken
• Korean Beef
• Instant Pot Beans

WATCH HOW TO MAKE EASY INSTANT POT SPANISH RICE