This easy Mexican rice recipe is one of the most flavorful and simplest to make Instant Pot rice recipes. It is a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free side dish recipe that tastes great alongside chicken fajitas or tacos.
Absolutely in LOVE with Instant Pot Rice
When I got my Instant Pot Duo 6-quart this past Christmas I was a bit hesitant. There were A LOT of confusing buttons, and I had NO CLUE where to start.
After watching my hubby make 4 batches of bone stock, I figured it couldn’t be too complicated.
Along with this Instant Pot Orange Chicken, learning how to make Instant Pot rice was top of the to-learn list.
While perusing the button board I stumbled across a magical one… it simply said “rice.”
“WHAT?! There is a RICE button on this thing?”
After baking numerous batches of Instant Pot brown rice and Instant Pot white rice, I got a little adventurous and transformed my rice cooker Mexican rice recipe into one that will work for the Instant Pot!
Mexican Rice Recipe Judgement
Most Mexican restaurants are judged by me based on 2 key dishes:
- Their chicken and beef fajitas.
- And their Mexican rice recipe.
If one or both of these disappoints, I will probably vow to stay at home for the next few weeks and make my own Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and this Instant Pot Mexican rice recipe…
Because yes! It tastes AS GOOD as your favorite Mexican restaurant’s version!
How to Cook Mexican Rice?
Ok. So you don’t have an Instant Pot? No worries. (Although, you’re totally missing out!)
You can cook this easy Mexican rice in a rice cooker as well as on the stove.
Simply follow the measurements in the recipe below, and cook it like you cook regular rice!
Instant Pot Brown Rice + White Rice
As you will see in the Mexican rice recipe below, I use both brown and white rice.
To be honest, I have a tough time deciding whether to be a bit healthier (and go with brown) or a bit naughty (and go full on white rice), so tend to do a blend of both.
If you decide to just make Instant Pot brown rice, you can stick with the original time of 15 minutes.
However, if you want to just make Instant Pot white rice, you might want to reduce your time to 12 minutes and leave out 1/4 cup of the broth so it doesn’t get too mushy.
What Kind of Salsa should I Use?
If you are a bit of a weeny when it comes to spice, I highly recommend you use a MILD salsa.
Preferably a salsa you would enjoy eating by itself since that is where a bulk of the flavor will come from.
Also, try to choose a salsa that is in the middle as far as thickness. You don’t want one that is super runny or ultra thick.
I like to use Tostito’s chunky mild salsa (it’s not too thick!) as well as Mrs. Renfro’s mild salsa. (Please don’t buy these online! They’re crazy expensive. The links are just to show you what they look like.)
Will This Mexican Rice Freeze Well?
As a matter of fact, yes!! You can double this batch pretty easily and save a lot for later.
Be sure you seal it up tightly and let it comes to temperature in the refrigerator before heating up. Otherwise, you will have a lot of ice crystals that will make it watery.
Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice*
- 1 cup brown rice*
- 2 cups broth* chicken or vegetable, regular sodium
- 15 oz. jar salsa mild
- 2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
- ½ tsp. salt to taste
Instructions
-
Combine all ingredients in your Instant Pot. Stir until combined.
-
Place lid on and make sure the pressure release valve is set to sealed.
-
Turn the Instant Pot on the “Rice” and “More” function. Or, set rice cooker to Low pressure for 15 minutes. (See note if doing all white or all brown rice.)
-
Once the Instant Pot is done cooking the rice, let rice sit in the Instant Pot for 5 minutes. (5 minute Natural Pressure release.)
-
Release pressure valve, remove lid and stir Mexican rice. Serve rice with cilantro and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- If you decide to make Instant Pot brown rice, you can stick with the original time of 15 minutes. However, if you want to make Instant Pot white rice, you will want to reduce your time to 12 minutes and leave out ¼ cup of the broth so it doesn't get too mushy.
- Use slightly less broth if you prefer a more brown rice-like texture.
Want more recipes like this Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice Recipe?
Oven-Baked Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
How to Zest a Lemon (5 Easy Ways)
Sautéed Cabbage
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
Alfred Madrigal says
My wife and her family have been making wonderfully great Mexican rice for ever but my 12 year old son will not eat it, but he eats it from all the restaurants around town. I decided to search out a recipe that he would eat since going out is always more expensive, so I tried and tried for the last two years to produce something he will eat. I finally came across this one and combined it with a fork fluff topped of with a couple of paper towels on top to sit for 5 min.to absorb any excess moisture since restaurant rice is usually too dry for me but he loves it, and it was a super hit with the whole house especially my picky eating sun. Thank you for saving me a fortune in restaurants rice
London says
Oh I am so happy to hear this, Alfred! And funny you say this – I grew up eating at a chain Tex-Mex restaurant and this rice reminds me of their’s! I like your idea to add the paper towel – will have to try it out next time. Thanks so much for your comment and rating 🙂
Paige says
To double this recipe do Ijust double everything and use the same cooking time?
London says
Hi Paige! Yes, you can just double the recipe and it should turn out great. However, I would caution you to use an 8 qt. Instant Pot as the 6 qt. might be too full if doubled.
Nicole says
Made this tonight, pushed rice on a normal setting on my instant pot (automatically set itself to low). It cooked for 12 minutes, and the brown rice was crunchy. Sigh..
London says
Hi Nicole! So sorry your brown rice turned out crunchy. It probably has to do with the brand of brown rice you used. I tend to use Uncle Ben’s brown rice with great success in this recipe. Also, you want to make sure your pressure release valve is COMPLETELY close (so not leaking out any of the moisture during the cooking process.) Hope this will help you troubleshoot if you decide to make the recipe again. Thanks for your comment!
Nicole says
So did you use Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice?
London says
I used the REGULAR brown rice from Uncle Ben’s, not the Instant. 🙂
Jill says
Simple and delicious. Those are the type of recipes I love to cook in the IP. I sprinkled in some taco seasoning iwith everything else. It was fantastic. Thanks for posting this recipe.
London says
What a great idea, Jill! I bet the taco seasoning gave it some great flavor. Thanks so much for your comment and rating 🙂
Kaitlyn says
Is it 2 cups rice total, or just one?
London says
Hi Kaitlyn! It’s 2 cups total, or 1 cup white rice and 1 cup brown rice! You can use two cups of either but might want to adjust the liquid ratios accordingly (all white = little less broth, all brown = little more broth!)
Courtney says
Always looking for new pressure cooker recipes. This rice looks pretty easy. I can’t wait to try it!
London says
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Courtney!