Instant Pot Mexican “Cheesy” Rice (Dairy Free, Vegan)
This Instant Pot Mexican “Cheesy” Rice is the perfect side dish to serve along with enchiladas, tacos, or really any entree! It comes together quickly in the Instant Pot. This rice is dairy free, gluten free, and vegan!
I grew up loving the Knorr packets of Instant Mexican Rice. Unfortunately those aren’t gluten free, so I decided to create an easy Instant Pot version for the blog! This recipe is customizable, and you can use either dairy free cream cheese or regular. Either way, it’s a side dish the entire family will love! I love serving it with my Easy Grain Free Chicken & Black Bean Enchiladas!
This is the Instant Pot that I have – it is hands down the most used appliance in my house! Love it so much.
Instant Pot Mexican “Cheesy” Rice (Dairy Free, Vegan)
What You Need to Make This Instant Pot Mexican Cheesy Rice
- Rice – I use long grain white rice or jasmine rice. Please note – I have not tested this with brown rice and cannot guarantee that the cook times will work! I would stick with white to be safe.
- Canned diced tomatoes with green chiles (or just regular canned diced tomatoes and you can add in a separate 4.5 oz can of diced green chiles)
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion Powder
- Dairy Free Cream Cheese – I love Kite Hill Foods brand. You can also use the Good Foods or Siete Dairy free queso and stir that in instead! If you tolerate dairy, feel free to use regular cream cheese.
Sometimes the rice can dry out a bit once its been sitting in the pot, so if you aren’t serving it right away, feel free to add some chicken broth to it. One to two tablespoons will do the trick!
How to Make This Instant Pot Mexican Cheesy Rice
First add the rice and water to your instant pot and stir. Lock the lid, turn the vent to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes. Manually release the remaining steam.
Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the diced canned tomatoes, spices, and Kite Hill cream cheese. Stir well. Serve and enjoy!
It’s that easy!!
To make this on the stove top, simply cook 2 cups of rice per package directions, then stir in the canned diced tomatoes, spices, and dairy free cream cheese.
If you try out this Instant Pot Cheesy Rice, make sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations!
Looking for some delicious recipes to serve with this rice? Check these out!
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Instant Pot Mexican "Cheesy" Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice
- 2 ¼ cups water
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles, with juices
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt, more to taste
- 8 oz Kite Hill almond milk cream cheese, can sub regular cream cheese
Instructions
- Add the rice and water to your Instant Pot and stir. Cook on manual high pressure for 3 minutes. Let it naturally release for 10 minutes. Manually release remaining steam.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Add in the can of diced tomatoes, spices, and 8 oz of Kite Hill cream cheese. Stir well. Serve and enjoy!
- If the rice seems dry at all after sitting for a bit, you can add in 1-2 tbsp chicken broth or veggie broth and stir.
5 Comments on “Instant Pot Mexican “Cheesy” Rice (Dairy Free, Vegan)”
So good and easy to make!
So good! Full disclosure – I could only find a 10.5oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles so I used that mixed with the other ingredients and substituted the rice for 10oz of frozen cauliflower rice and it was delicious. The cream cheese/spice/tomato mix was really key in this dish coming together so the veggie substitute was just my preference. I’ll be making this again for sure!
Amazing!!! This recipe is unreal (which is not surprising)! I made this with your chicken and black bean enchiladas and it was perfection! I used long grain brown rice in the instant pot for 15 min on high pressure and then 10 mins natural release. Turned out amazing!! Your creativity in the kitchen is a gift to us all!! Loved the kite hill cream cheese!!Â
Left out the cheese and it was just as good!
Thank you for sharing. Â I was wondering if I could make it without the cream cheese.