Do you normally make Spanish Rice out of a box?  Let me tell you, you don’t have to!  I just love the way this Instant Pot Spanish Rice turned out! It’s so much better than the boxed variety!

In fact, EVERY time, I’ve tried cooking rice in the Instant Pot, I’ve been pleased with the outcome.

It always seems to cook perfectly.  And it tastes just as good as one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants does.  I even used brown rice and didn’t notice the difference.

On this particular night, I had already put Mexican Chicken in my other Instant Pot and I had really wanted to have a good side dish to serve with it.  I decided that making Instant Pot Spanish Rice was the perfect answer!

It doesn’t take many steps to get the perfect texture of rice.

Instant Pot Spanish Rice Recipe

First, I start out sautéing the onion and garlic.  Just push the Sauté button, pour in some olive oil and then your onions & garlic.  Cook until they are starting to become transparent and soft.

Next, rinse your rice and then add it to the Instant Pot along with the stewed tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin and chili powder.  Rinsing the rice will help it not stick to the bottom.  

Replace the lid.  Close the valve and then set the timer for 22 minutes on manual or pressure cook (depending on your Instant Pot).  If you’re using white rice, only cook it for 8 minutes.

After the timer has beeped, let it sit for 5-10 more minutes before releasing the pressure and then opening the lid.

When you do open the lid, there will be some liquid on top.  This is totally normal.  Just stir that back into the rice and it will be perfect!

Top it with a little bit of fresh or dried Cilantro and enjoy!

** Please keep in mind that your elevation can play a role in how long you cook your rice.  When I shared the Instant Pot Chicken & Rice recipe, I found that those in higher elevations had a harder time with their rice sticking and/or burning.  You may need to adjust your cook times, if you are higher elevation.  We are only 700 feet above sea level and this is what worked for me.

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To cook this recipe, I used the 6 quart 7 in 1 Instant Pot.

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Do you normally make Spanish Rice out of a box?  Let me tell you, you don't have to!  I just love the way this Instant Pot Spanish Rice turned out! It's so much better than the boxed variety!  And tastes like restaurant quality, too!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time22 mins

Course: Instant Pot

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6

Author: Sarah

Ingredients

• 3  Tablespoons  olive oil
• 1  cup  chopped yellow onion
• 2  cups  long grain brown rice
• 2  teaspoons of minced garlic in a jar
• 1 cup stewed or crushed tomatoes
• 2 1/2  cups  chicken broth
• 1/2  teaspoon  cumin
• 1/2  teaspoon  chili powder 
• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro optional

Instructions

• Start by sautéing the onion and garlic.  Push the Sauté button, pour in some olive oil and then your onions & garlic.  Cook until they are starting to become transparent and soft.
• Next, rinse your rice and then add it to the Instant Pot along with the stewed tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin and chili powder.  Rinsing the rice will help it not stick to the bottom.  
• Replace the lid.  Close the valve and set the timer for 22 minutes on manual or pressure cook (depending on your Instant Pot).  If you're using white rice, only cook it for 8 minutes.
• After the timer has beeped, let it sit for 5-10 more minutes before releasing the pressure and then opening the lid.
• When you do open the lid, there will be some liquid on top.  This is totally normal.  Just stir that back into the rice and it will be perfect!
• Top it with a little bit of fresh or dried Cilantro and enjoy!

Notes

• Elevation matters.  If you are in a higher elevation, you may want to adjust your cook time.
• Please be sure to rinse your rice to prevent sticking and/or scorching.