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    Home » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    Published: May 13, 2025 by Marlena Luna · This post may contain affiliate links. · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin SaveSaved!

    This Instant Pot Spanish rice recipe saves time with no chopping required, making preparation quick, easy, and hassle-free. The Instant Pot seals in the flavors while delivering perfectly fluffy rice—no stirring and no stove watching needed.

    A gray serving bowl with Spanish rice with two lime wedges.

    If you're looking for an easy and delicious side dish for Taco Tuesday, this Spanish rice recipe is for you. It's made with a blend of seasonings and spices, giving it a bold flavor with minimal prep work.

    Thanks to the Instant Pot, it comes together quickly and consistently, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Pair it with your favorite vegan tacos, enchiladas, or burritos for a complete and satisfying meal.

    It’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

    Ingredients Needed

    These are the ingredients needed to make this Spanish rice recipe. Nothing fancy!

    Rice, water, and spices in separate bowls.

    Ingredients Notes and Substitutions

    • White rice – I used jasmine rice, but feel free to use any white rice you have.
    • Tomato sauce – This adds a tomato flavor to the rice.
    • Oil – I used coconut oil for this recipe, but any neutral oil for sautéing will work.
    • Herbs and seasonings – Since this recipe is minimal prep, salt, dried cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika are used to enhance the flavor of the rice. I used pink Himalayan salt, but any type you have will work. The dried cilantro can be replaced with fresh, while the remaining seasonings are essential for bringing out the rice's full flavor potential.

    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! 

    To start, you’ll want to have everything close by. Gather and measure all the ingredients, then set them aside. 

    Stovetop instructions are included in the recipe card.

    Rice sautéd in the Instant Pot.

    Add the oil to your Instant Pot, then press the sauté feature. Once the oil is melted, add the rice and sauté until it begins to brown (pictured above). Towards the end of sautéing, add in 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
    Watch closely and stir frequently because the onion will brown quickly.

    Rice, tomato sauce, water, and spices in an Instant Pot.

    Press the cancel button on the Instant Pot, then mix in the tomato sauce, seasonings, and water.

    Spanish rice in the Instant Pot right after cooking.

    Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual/pressure cook for 10 minutes, at high pressure. After cooking, allow it to release pressure naturally. Carefully open the lid. It should look similar to the image above.

    Seasoned rice in the Instant Pot.

    Use a fork to "fluff" the rice before serving.

    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!

    Looking down on Spanish rice topped with green onions.

    Serving Ideas

    To give your rice more flavor, use the Instant Pot's sauté feature to sauté diced bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, or minced garlic.

    Drain a can of diced tomatoes and toss them in. Or dice a few fresh tomatoes.

    Add frozen, canned, or fresh corn or peas before cooking, or beans for protein after the rice is cooked.

    Chop fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or oregano.

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

    • Vegan Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce
    • Chickpea Soft Tacos
    • Black Bean Enchiladas
    A bowl of Mexican rice with lime wedges and fresh cilantro.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What type of rice is best for making Spanish rice in the Instant Pot?

    White rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice are the best options for this recipe. I have not tested this recipe with brown rice, but it can be used, however, it will require a longer cook time and more liquid.

    Do I need to rinse the rice before cooking?

    I’m usually in a hurry, so I often skip rinsing the rice. If you choose to rinse it, be sure to dry it thoroughly. Excess water can throw off the rice-to-liquid ratio.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    If you enjoyed this vegan 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, share it with us! We love to see your creations!! You can find us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.

    Or, get the links to new recipes delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.  

    See ya there!

    Recipe

    A serving bowl of Mexican rice with two lime wedges.

    Instant Pot Spanish Rice

    prep time: 10 minutes minutes
    cook time: 20 minutes minutes
    total time: 30 minutes minutes
    servings: 8 servings
    Instant Pot Spanish Rice is packed with bold flavor from a blend of spices—no chopping required! Serve up this easy, restaurant-style side dish with tonight’s dinner for a delicious meal.
    4.75 stars (28 reviews)
    Print Pin SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    For the Rice

    • 1 ½ cups jasmine rice, or basmati rice
    • 2 Tablespoons refined coconut oil
    • 2 ¼ cups water, for a drier rice use 1 and ¾ cups
    • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder

    Seasonings

    • 1 ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Start by mixing the seasonings in a small bowl and gathering the remaining ingredients. You’ll want to have all the ingredients nearby.
    • Add the oil to your Instant Pot and set it to sauté.
    • 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.
    • Once the rice has browned a bit, carefully mix in the remaining ingredients– seasonings, tomato sauce, and water.
    • 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.
    • Carefully open the lid and give the rice a mix before serving.

    Stove Top Instructions

    • Start by mixing the seasonings in a small bowl and gathering the remaining ingredients. You’ll want to have everything within reach.
    • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • 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.
    • Once the rice has browned a bit carefully mix in the remaining ingredients– seasonings, tomato sauce, and water.
    • Reduce the heat, cover and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed.
    • Once the liquid has been absorbed, carefully open the lid and give the rice a mix before serving.

    Notes

    Tip: Generously measure the seasonings for extra flavor.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 140mg | Sugar: 1g

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

    course: Instant Pot
    cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
    author: Marlena Luna
    Did you make this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

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    This recipe was originally published in March of 2017. It has since been updated with new photos and more detailed information.

    Where You Get Your Protein is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Where You Get Your Protein will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost to you.

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    Comments

      4.75 from 28 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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    1. Kasia

      August 17, 2024 at 8:22 am

      Do you think I could cook it on the delayed start setting? Prep everything early morning, then set the delayed start for 3h, so that it’s ready in time for lunch. Or would you recommend cooking it right away and just leaving it on the “keep warm” setting for a few hours? Which option would be better? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Marlena Luna

        August 17, 2024 at 4:34 pm

        I would cook the rice and then leave it on the keep-warm setting. Also, I suggest using 1 and 3/4 cups to 2 cups of water.

        Reply
    2. Tatiana

      September 22, 2019 at 8:16 am

      Wow! This rice is amazing! I made it in my IP and at first I thought it was too mushy, but after tasting it, it was perfect. Will definitely be my go-to rice. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Where you get your protein

        September 25, 2019 at 4:03 pm

        Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it after all, Tatiana.

        Reply
    3. Michelle

      February 02, 2019 at 8:02 am

      What do you mean by onion granules? Is that the dried diced onions or the ground onion powder? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Where you get your protein

        February 02, 2019 at 3:21 pm

        Hi Michelle! Onion granules are more of a "salt" consistency rather than a powder. But onion powder will work just the same! Enjoy! :)

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Marlena the recipe creator behind Where You Get Your Protein! I love spending time in the kitchen cookin’ up delicious vegan comfort foods! Most of the ingredients I use are easy-to-find or pantry staples. Stick around and enjoy some amazing vegan food!

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