Instant Pot Spanish Rice (no chopping!)

Spanish rice is quick and easy to make because it can be prepared and cooked in the Instant Pot.  The rice is seasoned with spices which means there's no chopping involved making it even easier!   For a filling side, add your favorite bean or frozen vegetables to this Instant Pot Spanish rice!

As a teen, my favorite Mexican eatery was a little taco joint near the house.  They had the best Spanish rice! I would always order a double side of the rice to have enough to take home.

Since the Spanish rice was so good, I wanted to recreate it in the Instant Pot.  And it had to be just as tasty and flavorful as the restaurant's version.

This recipe nails it! It's just as DELICIOUS as I remember!

How to make Instant Pot Spanish Rice

This Spanish rice is super easy to prepare in the Instant Pot.  In fact, it’s my favorite way to make rice!   But I've also include stovetop instructions if you don't own an Instant Pot.

• To start, you’ll want to have everything close by. Gather and measure all the ingredients, then set them aside. 
• Add the oil to the inner pot, then press the sauté feature on the Instant Pot.  Once the oil is melted add in the rice and 1 teaspoon onion granules. Stir constantly.  The onion will brown fast which will add flavor to the rice.  Continue to sauté until the rice begins to brown as well.
• Press the cancel button on the Instant Pot, then mix in the tomato sauce, seasonings, and water.
• Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual/pressure cook for 10 minutes, at high pressure. Allow for natural pressure release.  

Note: Some of the greens and tomato sauce will have set on top. Give the rice a stir to mix everything back together.  If the rice is a bit too sticky leave the lid open to allow the steam to continue to escape.  Otherwise, it’s ready to eat!

Avoid the burn message on newer Instant Pot models

To avoid the burn message, add the water and seasonings to the inner pot with the sauteed rice. Mix it all together. 

If you don't want to chance receiving the burn warning, cook the rice in the water and seasonings only.  Mix in the tomato sauce once the rice has finished cooking. 

If you want to cook everything together, slowly add the tomato sauce into the pot after the rice has been mixed with the water and seasonings.  DON'T mix in the tomato sauce.   You want the water to remain at the bottom of the pot. A thicker liquid can set off the burn message.

How can I tell if my Instant Pot is a newer model?

If your IP has a pressure cook button (instead of the manual button) you have a newer model.  Newer models have a sensitive sensor and are more likely to give the burn message.

Now dig-in and imagine yourself sitting in that small darkened restaurant with Mariachi music softly playing in the background.  That’s the feeling this rice will give you!

Enjoy a Mexican-inspired vegan dinner tonight and pair this Instant Pot Spanish rice with one of these recipes:

Jackfruit tamales

Black bean enchiladas

Vegan tacos with cilantro lime sauce 

Chickpea soft tacos

We'd love to hear from you!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card and share your thoughts in the comments below.  Also, if you snap a photo be sure to share it with us! We love to see your creations! You can find us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

Continue to Content

Recipe

Instant Pot Spanish Rice

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Instant Pot Spanish Rice is seasoned with spices so there's no chopping involved!   Enjoy this ‘Restaurant-Style’ rice alongside tonight's dinner!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 and ½ cups organic white basmati rice
• 2 Tablespoons refined coconut oil
• 2 and ¼ cups water (for a softer rice use 2 ⅓ cups)
• 1 can (8oz) organic tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Seasonings

• 1 and ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• 1 and ½ teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions

1. Start by mixing the seasonings in a small bowl and gathering the remaining ingredients. You’ll want to have all the ingredients nearby.
2. Add the oil to your Instant Pot and set it to sauté.
3. Once the oil is heated, add in the rice and one teaspoon of onion granules. Sauté until the rice begins to brown, frequently stir the rice to keep it from burning.
4. Once the rice has browned a bit carefully mix in the remaining ingredients– seasonings, tomato sauce, and water.
5. Now press manual on the Instant Pot and set it for 10 minutes on high pressure. Once the rice is fully cooked, allow the Instant-Pot to naturally release pressure.
6. Carefully open the lid and give the rice a mix before serving.

Enjoy!

Stove Top Instructions

1. Start by mixing the seasonings in a small bowl and gathering the remaining ingredients. You’ll want to have everything within reach.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Once the oil is heated, add in the rice and one teaspoon of onion granules. Sauté until the rice begins to brown, frequently stir the rice to keep it from burning.
4. Once the rice has browned a bit carefully mix in the remaining ingredients– seasonings, tomato sauce, and water.
5. Reduce the heat, cover and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed.
6. Once the liquid has been absorbed, carefully open the lid and give the rice a mix before serving.

Enjoy!

Notes

*Generously measure the seasonings for extra flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 51Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**