Mexican Rice - Instant Pot | Stove (Tex-Mex Style)
Soft, fluffy and full of flavor, this easy pressure cooker or stove-top recipe for restaurant-style Mexican Rice will become your go-to side dish for Tex-Mex Night!
Rinse Rice: Using a wide sieve, rinse the rice 2-3 times until water runs clear. Let is soak in fresh water till you chop and prep the other ingredients. After that, drain the rice and keep aside.
Instant Pot Method
Saute: Turn on Instant Pot on Saute high mode. When it displays 'hot', add garlic, onions, peppers, corn, drained rice and seasoning to the pot. Saute everything for 2 minutes.
Pressure Cook: Add water and salsa to the pot. Stir everything and close the lid. Turn off Saute mode. Cook on Pressure cook/Manual for 6 mins.
NPR 5, then QR: After cooking, wait 5 minutes and then release the pressure manually. If using DUO model, turn the knob to 'Venting' position, if using ULTRA model, simply push down the pressure valve.
Fluff Rice and garnish: Open the lid after the pin drops. Using a fork, gently fluff the rice. Garnish with cilantro and fresh lime juice and enjoy with your favorite entree.
Stove-Top Instructions
Heat a sauce pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add oil, garlic, onions, peppers, corn, drained rice and seasoning. Saute for around 2 minutes.
Then, add water and salsa. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
Once done, open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork, and place the lid back. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and fresh lime juice and enjoy with your favorite entree.
Video
Notes
Estimated Time includes roughly 10 mins for pressure build-up.
Cook time = Time to set for pressure cooking.
This recipe has been tested in a 3qt and 6qt Instant Pot. If making this in an 8Qt size, adjust the water quantity to meet the minimum requirement.
Rinse the rice: Whenever I use long grain white rice, I always rinse it 2-3 times, until the water runs clear. What that does is remove the extra starch coating the rice kernels. This prevents the rice from being sticky and they turn out fluffy.
Adding paprika and salsa: Using these two ingredients gives this dish its iconic reddish-orange color. Salsa adds a spiced tomato flavor to the rice, which compliments any dish you pair it with.
Saute the rice: I always saute the rice with aromatics for a couple of minutes before adding water. Sautéing brings out the nutty flavor of rice and when you toast it with aromatics, it blends all the flavors really well. It also makes the end texture fluffy.
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates. If you are following any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.