Instant Pot Spanish Rice
Instant Pot Spanish Rice is the perfect weeknight side dish for easy meals. Quick, easy, flavorful and ready in under 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Spanish rice is the easy side dish your weeknight dinners need. This recipe is packed with flavor and made with pantry staples PLUS it comes together in less than 30 minutes thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. Whether you’re serving tacos or enchiladas, or just need a simple side dish for your favorite protein, this Instant Pot Spanish Rice is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Olive oil. Avocado oil is a good substitute.
- Onion. Other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, corn and peas can be added but I prefer keeping it simple.
- Long grain rice. I like using white rice like Jasmine rice or Basmati rice. Brown rice can be used but will require significantly longer cooking time.
- Tomato paste.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Canned chopped tomatoes.
- Fresh jalapeño.
- Herbs and spices: dried oregano, salt and black pepper. For more flavor I like adding a teaspoon of taco seasoning. Other spices like cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, etc. can be added too if you don’t have taco seasoning on hand.
- Chicken broth/chicken stock. Substitute with vegetable stock or water for a vegetarian version.
How to make Instant Pot Spanish Rice
- Sauté: Turn on the sauté function of your Instant Pot. Add the olive oil, onion, jalapeño and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until softened.
- Add rice and flavor: Stir in the rice and tomato paste then add the chopped tomatoes, stock and seasonings.
- Pressure cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on the rice function for 4 minutes.
- Natural release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10-12 minutes.
- Fluff and serve: Open the lid then fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with chopped cilantro/fresh coriander (optional) and serve.
Storing and reheating
The rice can be made and kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Transfer to a microwave-safe container and reheat for 1-2 minutes until hot throughout before serving.
What to serve with Instant Pot Spanish Rice
This recipe is the perfect side dish for dishes like tacos, fajitas, burritos and enchiladas. We also love using it as a base for a rice bowl topped with shredded chicken, pico de Gallo and avocado salsa.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 jalapeño finely chopped (remove seeds if you prefer it milder)
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- pinch of black pepper
- chopped cilantro/fresh coriander for serving
Instructions
- Turn on the sauté function of your Instant Pot.
- Add the olive oil, onion, jalapeño and garlic. If using other vegetables like bell pepper, etc. you'll add those here and sauté with the onions.
- Sauté for a few minutes until softened.
- Stir in the rice and tomato paste then add the chopped tomatoes, stock and seasonings.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on the rice function for 4 minutes.
- Open the valve to release then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10-12 minutes.
- Open the lid then fluff the rice with a fork.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro/fresh coriander (optional) and serve.