Instant Pot Mexican Rice with Corn, vibrant colors, close-up shot

Rice dishes

instant pot mexican rice with corn

By Carla Hernandez

Published: 19 Mar 2025

This recipe is my go-to for a quick and easy side dish, especially when I'm short on time. It's ridiculously simple, using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, the Instant Pot makes it a breeze! I was once invited to a potluck and completely forgot to make a side dish. I frantically made this in 20 minutes and everyone loved it. True story!
A close-up shot of the finished Instant Pot Mexican Rice with Corn, garnished with cilantro and lime
One of my friends, Maria, told me her secret to amazing Mexican rice was to always rinse the rice really well to remove the excess starch. And honestly, she was right! It really does make a difference in texture. This recipe is unbelievably easy, even my little brother can make it!
Overhead shot of the Instant Pot with the ingredients added

Required Equipments

  • 6-quart Instant Pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Rice cooker (optional)
  • Fork

Instant-Pot-Mexican-Rice-with-Corn

This recipe for Instant Pot Mexican Rice with Corn is super easy, quick, and delicious! Perfect as a side dish or a base for your favorite Mexican-inspired meals.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time:

🍽 Ingredients

đź“– Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice: Give your 1 cup of rice a good rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents clumping. Don't skip this step; it really makes a difference!
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Set your Instant Pot to the "Sauté" function. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up. Add 1/2 cup of chopped onion and 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until softened. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the pot to get all that delicious flavor!
  3. Add the remaining ingredients: Stir in 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Give everything a good stir. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, remember salt is your friend but can also be your foe!
  4. Add the rice and corn: Add the rinsed rice and 1/2 cup of frozen corn to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
  5. Pressure cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to "Sealing." Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the timer for 12 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Fluff and serve: Once the pressure is fully released, carefully open the lid. Use a fork to fluff the rice. If it's too wet, cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Garnish and enjoy!: You can garnish it with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or a dollop of sour cream or crema fresca. Serve hot and enjoy your flavorful Mexican rice!

đź“ť Notes

  • For spicier rice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Adjust the amount of chicken broth for desired consistency. For extra moist rice, add a bit more broth.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables, such as diced tomatoes or zucchini

🍎 Nutrition

Calories: 250 kcal

Protein: 6 g

Fat: 4 g

Carbohydrates: 45 g

Fiber: 2 g

Calcium: 20 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

The simplest things in life are often the most satisfying, and this Instant Pot Mexican rice is proof of that.

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