This simple rice cooker Mexican Rice is so easy and flavorful. It makes for a perfect side dish. Whole Food Plant Based, oil free, refined sugar free, no processed ingredients to minimally processed ingredients, and gluten free!
Hi there! Ameera here!
This Mexican rice is so good, and super easy. You just pop everything into a rice cooker (or similar device), set it, and forget it. We call it restaurante style rice as it duplicates the simplicity of Mexican-Spanish rice that you find in a restaurant; light and fluffy grains of seasoned perfection. We absolutely love it.
Mexican Rice – Spanish Rice – Which is it?
Whether you call it Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice, I have found that in most cases they are used interchangeably. I just call it “yummy”!
Fail proof you say?
This simple recipe is quick to make in a pinch along with the Spicy Black Beans for our delicious Quesadillas. Because you use a rice cooker, it is assembled in less than 5 minutes, and then you are on to do other things until your rice cooker beeps when it is done.
A great Mexican rice should be flavorful and fluffy enough to eat straight from the rice cooker and this one is exactly that. It truly is a pot of goodness. We love stuffing it in burritos as well as topping it on our Salsa Veggie Bowl.
Mom and Katie
Mom and Katie are Southwestern food fanatics. They love anything with a Southwestern flair. The Whole Food Plant Based lifestyle really lends itself to making amazing Southwestern style foods as you can easily.
Robin here!
It’s true. I typically love any Southwestern dish. Canton used to have an awesome Mexican restaurant (not authentic) where I loved to have my birthday dinners until they closed several years ago. I admit, I love the Americanized Mexican restaurants as much as the authentic Mexican restaurants.
Bottomless Pit
TP used to get so mad whenever we went to Mexican restaurants as he said he could never get full. I think it was all in his head, as he would consume huge quantities of chips and salsa while waiting for his dinner. He would also order tons of food so I have no clue how he could leave still hungry. Geez man, where do you put it all?
Products used in this recipe
- Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
Mexican Rice
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 - 6 Serves 1x
- Category: Side
- Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Description
This simple steam cooker Mexican Rice is so easy and flavorful. It makes for a perfect side dish to accompany all your Southwestern dishes. Whole Food Plant Based, oil free, refined sugar free, no processed ingredients to minimally processed ingredients, and gluten free!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup rices – uncooked, rinsed and drained (rice of your choice, we have found that Della Light Brown Basmati works really well)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup vegetable broth (we used Pacific Organic Vegetable Broth)
- Pinch dried jalapeño pepper flakes* or 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded, cut in rings
Optional toppings:
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeño
Instructions
- Combine the dry spices in a small bowl, stir to incorporate. Set aside.
- Combine tomato sauce, water and vegetable broth together. Set aside.
- Rinse and drain 1 1/2 cups of rice, then place in a rice cooker.
- Combine the dry spices to the liquids and mix well to incorporate, then add to the rice cooker, gently stir. Stir in the jalapeño.
- Set the rice cooker to the appropriate setting.
- When the rice is done, transfer to a serving bowl, fluff with a fork.
- Enjoy as a delicious side dish or incorporate into your favorite Southwestern dishes.
Notes
* Dried Jalapeño Flakes: We love Penzeys dried jalapeño flakes. They pack a really nice punch of heat without adding a ton of heat.
Storage: Cool to warm, place in glass/plastic storage and refrigerate. Use within 7 days.
Yum! So I had this with your spicy black beans, steamed cauliflower and your southwestern dressing.
This rice is so good! Wow!
Hi there Sandra 🙂
Awesome-sauce!!! We are beyond thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this rice with our Spicy Black Beans, steamed cauliflower, and our Southwestern Dressing. It sounds like an awesome dinner combo – Mmmmm! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome feedback and for taking the time to write.
-Ameera and Robin 🙂
Can this be cooked in an instant pot? If so is there any changes in liquid?
Hi there Paula 🙂
Thank you so much for reaching out to us. We have not tried cooking this recipe in an instant pot. Unfortunately, we do not have any adjustments or timing/settings for you. If you give it a try, we’d love to know how it goes.
-Ameera and Robin 🙂
I made this in an instant pot. The liquid (water +broth) was about right, but I used about 2 Tbsp of tomato paste instead of the sauce. I put it on high for 30 minutes and it turned out great. I also toasted the rice with the spices first on the saute setting, which I thought gave it a richer flavor.
Hi there K.C.,
We are happy that you were successful using and IP. Thank you so much.
-Ameera and Robin