This is a quick, easy, minimal ingredient Instant Pot Mexican Rice recipe. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, which makes it great for a weeknight side! Perfect addition to taco’s, enchilada’s, etc. While you are prepping your other dishes, just put this in the Instant Pot and let it do it’s thing.
For this recipe, I use a medium salsa which creates a nice flavorful blend. However, if you like a little more spice, then use a salsa that is labeled Hot.
Jump to RecipeIngredients
- White Rice
- Onions – chopped
- Green pepper – chopped
- Garlic – minced
- Olive oil
- Salsa – 15-16 oz. jar
- Water
- Cilantro (optional)
Tips
To make this dish even quicker – dice onions and green pepper in advance.
Use a salsa that is more liquidly. This will help keep the rice from sticking and browning at the bottom of the pot. I’ve made the mistake of using a thicker salsa when developing this recipe and I would have a layer of slightly burnt rice at the bottom. If you are unable to find a thinner salsa then I would recommend adding an additional 1/2 cup of water. This will help prevent sticking.
How to make Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Start by setting Instant Pot to sauté, add olive oil, then onions and green pepper. Sauté 1-2 minutes or until onions are slightly translucent. Then add garlic and sauté 10-20 seconds. Turn off sauté mode. Add water, rice and salsa to pot. Give a good stir. Then place cover on instant pot, turn knob to seal, and set on manual mode for 5 minutes. Let natural release for 10 minutes and then quick release. Serve in your favorite dish! Sprinkle with some chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Stove-top Method
If you do not have an Instant Pot, this can easily be made on the stovetop by using a medium pot and heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and green pepper, sauté 2 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add garlic and sauté about 10-20 seconds (until aromatic). Then add rice, water, salsa and bring to a boil. Turn down to simmer for about 15-20minutes. Check and stir rice frequently to make sure it does not stick to the bottom. Add additional water is necessary to prevent sticking until the rice is cook.
The dish is super versatile and a staple for all Mexican dishes in our house. We serve as a side with tacos, or in enchiladas, burritos and burrito bowls. It pairs very well with our Mexican Bean Casserole.
I hope you love this quick and easy Mexican Rice recipe as much as we do! Please feel free to leave a comment 👇.
This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen.
Instant Pot Mexican Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- ½ Cup Onion chopped
- ¼ Cup Green pepper, chopped chopped
- 3 Garlic, cloves minced
- 1½ Cups Uncooked rice
- 1¾ Cup Water
- 15-16 oz Salsa, 15 oz. jar (2 cups)
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- Set Instapot to sauté – add oil, once heated add onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until onion begins to softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Turn sauté function off.
- Add water, rice and salsa to pot.
- Close lid. Make sure sealer is set to position to seal. Set manual to 5 minutes, then let naturally release for 10 minutes. Release pressure and open lid. Optional – Add salt to taste and serve!
- Enjoy!
