Overhead shot of a bowl full of Spanish Rice topped with cilantro

Instant Pot Spanish Rice

This instant pot-friendly recipe comes together in just 25 minutes and stars U.S.-grown white long grain rice. The flavorful Spanish rice is a perfect side dish to any meal!

This recipe comes to us from our friend @TheAlmondEater in partnership with USA Rice and The FeedFeed.

  • Servings
    8
  • Prep Time
    5 min
  • Cook Time
    20 min
  • Total Time
    25 min

Ingredients

  • 1½ cup white long grain rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1¼ cup canned tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions

For Instant Pot:

  • Pour rice into a mesh sieve and rinse for 10 seconds.
  • Add oil, butter, rice, and garlic to your Instant Pot and press "sauté". Sauté for 1 minute.
  • Add chili powder, cumin, salt, broth, and tomato sauce and stir. Place lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the knob on top is set in the "seal" position. Pressure cook rice for 4 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the pressure and removing the lid.
  • Fluff rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro.

For Stove Top: 

  • Pour rice into a mesh sieve and rinse for 10 seconds.
  • Add oil and butter to a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat. Once melted, add the rice and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  • Then, add chili powder, cumin, salt, broth, and tomato sauce and stir. Increase heat to high and bring rice to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and place a lid on the pot. Simmer for 12-14 minutes or until the rice has absorbed the liquid.
  • Remove the lid, fluff rice with a fork and stir in the cilantro.

Recipe Notes

Substitutions: Butter - can omit the butter and just use 3 tablespoons oil instead; Broth - chicken or vegetable will work

Make sure to use canned tomato sauce (not jarred) and try to find one that has other spices in it, like garlic and/or onion

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories 197
  • Total Fat 7g
  • Saturated Fat 2g
  • Cholesterol 8mg
  • Sodium 614mg
  • Carbohydrates 31g
  • Dietary Fiber 1g
  • Sugar 2g
  • Protein 3g