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    Home » Pressure Cooker » Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    Published: Apr 22, 2022 · Modified: Sep 1, 2022 by Desarae

    Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    One of our go-to popular instant pot recipes this instant pot Mexican rice will be your new favorite quick and easy side to your taco Tuesday nights. It's the perfect sides for all things Mexican- enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, taco salad, you name it this rice is perfect!

    A big bowl of red Mexican rice with limes and cilantro as garnish

    Is this an authentic Mexican rice recipe?

    Yes, while I do not come from Mexico this  recipe comes from my dear friends grandma who makes the best Mexican rice and also was born and raised Mexico. Her secret ingredient is tomato bouillon!

    an up close shot of instant pot Mexican rice

     Important ingredients for instant pot Mexican rice

    It's a pretty simple recipe all you need is:

    1. Rice- I prefer a long grain rice.
    2. Chicken stock. You can also use vegetable to make this a vegetarian dish or water.
    3. tomato bouillon- this is the key ingredient. Instead of using tomato sauce or canned tomatoes she uses tomato bouillon. It gives you amazing flavor and color.
    4. oil - I use olive or avocado, just for sautéing onion and helping to keep the rice from getting too sticky.
    5. optional - diced onion
    ingredients of instant pot Mexican rice on a baking tray

    What is tomato bouillon?

    Tomato bouillon is dehydrated tomatoes and vegetables with a mix of salts and spices.

    PRO TIP: you can find tomato bouillon at your local grocery store in the mexican food isle. It is made by the company Knorrs. It comes in different sizes of bottles too! Check by the bouillons and spices in the Mexican food isle.

    Knorrs recently started to make a more natural line of bouillon, however the natural tomato bouillon is combined with chicken- as you can see below its slightly different in color so your rice will look more orange than red.

    showing know tomato bouillon

    How to make instant pot Mexican rice

    Step 1: Turn your pressure cooker to saute setting and add oil.

    Step 2: Add in your onions

    Step 3: cook onions until they are translucent.

    PRO TIP: Dont like onions? Skip them! (or don't have time?) I've made this recipe loads of time and just skipped the onions. It taste great with just the bouillon, but the sautéed onions do add a little extra flavor.

    three step by step photos showing adding oil, onion and cooking onion on saute setting in instant pot
    Step 4: Add the remainder of your ingredients.
    • add your rice
    • your water or broth
    • add tomato bouillon
    • stir together
    showing how to add ingredients to instant pot of Mexican rice

    Cook you Mexican rice

    Set your pressure cooker to cook on the rice setting, or cook on high for 12 minutes. You do not need to let rice natural pressure release you can immediately release all the pressure.

    Fluff rice and serve

    As the rice cooks the bouillon might settle in some places. After you remove the lid fluff the rice and stir the flavor all around.

    Serve  immediately.

    If you're looking for a main dish to accompany this delicious side, check out these Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers. They are so easy and yummy!

    large bowl of instant pot Mexican rice with two serving spoons

    Expert tips:

    Why should I use a pressure cooker to make rice?

    Using a pressure cooker for rice is great because it

    1. cooks it faster than any rice cooker I've owned
    2. replaces a rice cooker so I dont have multiple gadgets taking up space
    3. cooks faster than the stove top and has less steps.

    If I don't own an instant pot can I still use my rice cooker or stove top method?

    YES! if you dont own a pressure cooker you can cook the rice the same way you cook your plain rice but using these ingredients.

    FAQ's

    What is the difference between Spanish rice and Mexican rice?

    Not much! Different cultures put in different spices but the ultimate difference seems to be that Spanish rice is a harder, firmer rice whereas Mexican rice is softer and fluffier.

    How do I store leftover instant pot Mexican rice?

    Keep any leftover Mexican rice in and air tight container in the fridge. It will keep for 10-14 days there.

    Is this recipe Gluten-Free?

    Yes. The rice and bouillon do not contain any wheat.

    I cant find tomato bouillon what do I do?

    You can sub it for a can of tomatoes or add tomato sauce. I've included adjustments in the recipe card.

    large bowl of Mexican rice with avocados and coke

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    If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to

    large bowl of orange rice with limes and cilantro as garnish. two utensils in the bowl

    Instant Pot Mexican Rice

    This pressure cooker mexi-rice is fast, easy and the perfect side to any mexican dish.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 202kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups long grain rice
    • 3 Tablespoon Knorr tomato bouillon
    • 2 Tablespoon oil I use avocado
    • 3 cups water or broth
    • ¼ cup diced onion

    Instructions

    • Add the oil and turn the instant pot to saute setting. Add onion and cook until onions are soft and translucent. (if you dont like onions skip this step)
    • Stir all ingredients together in pressure cooker. Set to rice setting. You can quick release rice.

    Video

    Notes

    Sub for tomato bouillon:
    • Blend 2 tomatoes, boullion cube, garlic clove, and 1 ¼ cup water, onion. 
    Or you can add a can of tomatoes, or half a can of tomato sauce. Still add bouillon, garlic and onion. 
    *If you are making a larger batch of rice, or smaller here are a few notes.
    • I do 1 ½ TBS tomato bouillon for every 1 cup rice.
    • 1 TBS oil for 1 cup rice
    • and 1 ½ cups water to every 1 cup rice.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. N says

      October 25, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      Have you tried this recipe combined with your chicken burrito bowls? Just wondering if you could do this rice with the chicken ??

      Reply
      • Kadee says

        October 27, 2021 at 2:01 pm

        That would be amazing!!!

        Reply
    2. jeanie says

      April 28, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      I make this recipe weekly! I usually leave out the onions and we love it just as much. Tomato bouillon really isa game changer

      Reply
    3. shea says

      April 28, 2021 at 11:17 pm

      5 stars
      Ever since i found this recipe i cant make rice any other way. Its the best!

      Reply
    4. Erin V says

      October 16, 2018 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      Hands down my favorite rice

      Reply
    5. KaRen says

      May 02, 2018 at 7:39 pm

      5 stars
      Yum cant wait to tRy this. I have to know. Where did You get the watch band. L o v E !!

      Reply
    6. Wis says

      September 22, 2017 at 5:31 pm

      The print feature on this page prints all five page of narrative and pictures, NOT just the recipe.

      Reply
      • Desarae says

        September 25, 2017 at 3:22 pm

        I'm sorry Wis, maybe it is a setting on your computer or the internet browser you are using, for me it only prints 1 page and it only has the recipe on it.

        Reply

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