Brown rice is cooked with onions, garlic and tomatoes making a tasty side dish for a variety of meals. Serve this easy and tasty rice side dish with all your favorite Tex Mex foods such as fajitas, enchiladas, tacos and more. This easy brown rice recipe cooks in the Instant Pot with excellent results and for mostly hands-free cooking.
Prep Time 8 minutesminutes
Cook Time 17 minutesminutes
Pressurize and Depressurize Instant Pot 30 minutesminutes
Set the Instant Pot on the high saute setting. Add the oil and heat for a minute or two.
Add the onion and cook until slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the rice and cook until the rice is fully coated in oil and slightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the water and tomato with juice to the pot and stir to combine.
Lock the lid in place and close the pressure valve. Set the pressure cooker on high to cook for 17 minutes.
When the cooking time is finished, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release completely (about 20 minutes). Use a spoon or towel to move the pressure valve to open there is steam released when you move it.
Carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot and add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in the cilantro and serve up with lime wedges and a garnish of cilantro.
Stove Top Instructions
**Cooking on the stove requires an increase of water from 1 cup to 1 ½ cups.
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Add the brown rice to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Add 1 ½ cups water and tomato to the pot. Cover with a tight fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cilantro and serve up with lime wedges and a garnish of cilantro.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips for Spanish Rice in Instant Pot:Don't drain the liquid from the canned tomatoes. The liquid is included to help cook the rice.Keep an eye on the time when it’s depressurizing and remove the lid as soon as it is finished. This process generally takes 15-20 minutes. The rice continues cooking while the lid is in place so it can get overly mushy if left too long.Don’t skip adding the cilantro and lime at the end. It adds a depth of flavor to the final dish.For a firmer rice, cook the same amount of time, but use the quick release method for opening the Instant Pot after it’s finished cooking. Just be sure to read the safety instructions and prevent burns.If you cook this recipe with white rice instead of brown rice, be sure to check the timing for cooking white rice and reduce the cook time.If you decide to cook Instant Pot spanish rice on the stove instead, be sure to increase the amount of water added to the pot. Cooking on the stove requires 1 ½ cups of water versus the 1 cup when making in the Instant Pot.