Instant Pot Mexican Rice

Name: Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 21 min
Ingredients: 1 cup long grain rice; 1 cup chicken stock (✅); 15 ounces tomato sauce (✅); 14.5 ounces lime and cilantro style diced tomatoes (✅); 1/2 medium lime, juiced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cumin (✅); 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

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Instant pot Mexican rice is an easy way to get this delicious side dish made quickly. Made with long grain rice, seasoned diced tomatoes, seasonings, and fresh lime juice.

Cooked under pressure for only 6 minutes before naturally released for 10 minutes, this rice will be ready to serve before you know it. Our homemade Mexican rice does not disappoint!

This Instant pot rice recipe is the perfect side dish to any Mexican-inspired meal just like Taco Dip with Ground Beef, Canned Corn Salad and Crockpot Refried Beans.

You may never go back to stove top rice after making this instant pot rice. It is quick and easy without compromising on texture or flavor.

This hands-off cooking method allows you to dump in the ingredients then leave to simmer. The end result is fluffy rice that is perfect for a side dish.

Serve with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and so much more! You’ll find family favorite recipes below to consider making with this rice recipe.

If on the search for more dinner ideas, we have you covered with Chili Lasagna, Stuffed Pepper Soup with Sausage, Baked Chicken Ziti Casserole and Gluten-Free Shepards Pie.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 cup long grain rice
1 cup chicken stock ✅
15 ounces tomato sauce ✅
14.5 ounces lime and cilantro style diced tomatoes ✅
1/2 medium lime, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin ✅
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Make

Rinse the rice under running water for at least 2 minutes. This helps prevent the rice from being gummy after cooking.

Blend the ingredients

Add the rice to the instant pot. Add the chicken stock, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Cover and turn the valve to sealing.

Cook

Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the time is up set a timer for 10 minutes and let the instant pot do a natural release.

Once the 10 minutes is up turn the valve to venting to release the rest of the pressure.

Add the cilantro

Add the cilantro to the rice and gently stir. Serve hot.

tomatoes and broth simmering in instant pot

Serving Suggestions

This easy Mexican rice is the best at the bottom of burrito bowls, served alongside tacos or with enchiladas. The traditional flavors shine to create a delicious side dish that the whole family will love.

We pulled together this list of Mexican favorites to inspire you to serve our restaurant-style Mexican rice with any (or all) of these recipes!

If you are lucky enough to have leftover rice, save it for your next meal or easily turn it into a rice bowl. It can be topped with beans or shredded chicken and corn, salsa, avocado, cheese or sour cream.

Tips and Substitutions

Use beef broth or water instead of chicken broth for cooking. Turn vegetarian by swapping with vegetable broth.
Do not turn on the “Keep Warm” function with rice, immediately remove from heat once pressure is released to prevent mushy rice.
Fluff the rice with a fork instead of stirring.
If there is extra moisture in the Instant pot after cooking, remove the insert and let sit uncovered for 5-10 minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate.
Top with shredded cheese before serving.
Stir in fresh chopped jalapenos or minced jarred jalapenos for a spicy version.
Add in chopped green, yellow, red and/or orange bell peppers for a nutrient and color boost.

Storing Instant Pot Mexican Rice

In the fridge: Store rice for up to 5 days in the fridge in a covered container.

In the freezer: Place cooled rice onto a baking sheet to freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once frozen, the rice can be added to a container, Ziploc bag or stasher bag to freeze for up to 3 months.

For best results, thaw rice in the fridge overnight and reheat the next day.

In the pantry (dry): Store dry long-grain rice in a cool dark place for a few months or up to a year if sealed tightly. Dry rice can be added to an airtight container once the seal is broken to extend its shelf life.

Reheating Instructions

Microwave: Add rice to a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water to rehydrate the rice. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain the moisture and microwave in 30-second increments. Stir in-between until rice is hot.

Stovetop: Place rice in a covered pot over low to medium heat to reheat until hot (approximately 3-5 minutes for thawed and 7-10 minutes for frozen). Add a splash of water to the bottom of the pot to prevent the rice from burning. Stir occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to soak the rice?

If desired, you can soak for up to 10 minutes then proceed with the recipe. However, soaking the rice is not required but it helps prevent sticky rice after cooking.

Rice to water ratio

1 cup of long grain rice to 1 cup liquid when the other ingredients like the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and lime juice are added. The liquid from these ingredients is necessary to cook the rice and prevent the burn message on the instant pot.

Why is the rice still hard?

If the rice is still hard after cooking, there was likely not enough liquid in the instant pot. You can troubleshoot by finishing the rice on the stovetop or adding additional water and putting it back under pressure for a minute or two.

Do you adjust the cooking time if making a double batch?

Nope! Simply adjust the rice-to-water ratio and keep the cooking time as written. This is another reason we love using the instant pot as it makes meal prep even easier.

How to make nonsticky Mexican rice in instant pot?

Rinsing the rice prior to pressure cooking is the best way to keep the rice from being sticky. It removes any excess starch from the rice.

Can you use the quick release function?

For this recipe, you will want to use the quick-release function to fully cook the rice. There are two pressure-releasing functions with an Instant pot – natural and quick release. Natural is letting the pressure release from the pot on its own. Quick is a manual release of pressure by turning the valve to venting. Read each Instant pot recipe to see which release function is needed for perfectly cooked rice.

How To Cook Rice in Instant Pot

There are multiple rice varieties that can be cooked in the Instant Pot either on the manual or Instant Pot rice setting. Learn how to make rice in an Instant pot to then use as side dish or in a recipe.

Sushi Rice

The instant pot makes it quick and simple to prep rice for sushi. It is made with 3 ingredients in under 25 minutes then can be used to make homemade sushi, poke bowls, buddha bowls and more.

Wild Rice

Typically known for its long cooking time, this is a pressure cooker rice that can now be made quickly and easily.

Jasmine Rice

Similar to this basmati rice recipe, jasmine rice can be made in a few steps. Turns out light and fluffy too.

Long Grain White Rice

Simply add the rice and water, cover, and cook for just 8 minutes before using a fork to fluff and serve.

Basmati Rice

Basmati rice is a long grain aromatic rice that can be made with no soaking required in half the time in the Instant Pot.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Read the package of rice to ensure you are cooking with a long grain rice such as basmati or jasmine and not a short grain rice.
Rinse the rice prior to cooking for more fluffy rice.
Use a fork to fluff the rice after cooking. Stirring with a spoon can cause the rice to become mushy.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Chicken A La King (Instant Pot + Stovetop)
Frozen Chicken Instant Pot Roundup
Instant Pot Apple Cake
Instant Pot Chili Mac
Sweet Potatoes In Instant Pot
Quinoa Instant Pot

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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