If you’re looking for something new and vibrant with full of flavors to spice up your ordinary meal routine or if you want to give something nutritious in your kids lunch-box, then my Quick and Easy Way Mexican Green Rice aka Arroz Verde is just what you need! This recipe is made in Instant Pot In less than 15 minutes and is naturally gluten-free and Vegan.
Green Rice is also known as Cilantro Rice is a Mexican side dish full of flavors, vibrant green color, and richness. It which pairs nicely with any main Mexican dish or you can have it on its own!
By now you know that I am obsessed with my instant pot :). You can make everything in it and in SO LESS TIME.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot – pressure cooker yet, BELIEVE me, you need to buy one. Check Out my all Vegetarian Instant Pot Recipes so far I have shared here on the blog.
I love making rice dishes in my Instant Pot.
So far I have made
And now this – Green Rice!
Now I can’t say if this recipe is anything close to authentic or not but it’s pretty good with so many flavors.
Mexican Cilantro Rice is cooked in Poblano Peppers, Green Onion, Spinach, garlic and Cilantro based green paste.
Why I love this Green Rice so much?
Because –
- It’s nutritious
- So Fresh,
- Vibrant
- So delicious
- So Beautiful
- Perfect as a side with any main dish
- Perfect for Kids lunch-box
What to serve with Arroz Verde?
Easy cilantro rice or green rice or Arroz Verde whatever you want to call it is so super simple to make. It’s a perfect side dish with your –
- Enchiladas
- Green Mexican Casserole
- Instant Pot Mexican Lasagna
- Adding in Burritos
A Perfect filling meal!
Ingredients To Make Arroz Verde (Green Rice)
So to make this Instant Pot Rice recipe, you will need –
- Long Grain Rice
- Poblano Peppers – A Key Ingredient
- Green Onions
- Cilantro
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Serrano Pepper (Optional)
- Corn
- Salt
- Oil
- Lime Or Lemon Juice
- Vegetable stock or water
Please read some important tips and notes before you make this recipe –
- Since the Serrano Peppers cooks with the rice, the heat really mellows the spiciness. But still, if you think you won’t be able to handle the spice or making it for small kids, you may completely skip it.
- Use the freshest cilantro and spinach you can find. It makes a big difference in taste. Before blending, discard any sprigs that are pale and yellowish in color or have black spots.
- I love green onion in this green rice. It gives very nice flavors and aroma. But you may use any onions of your choice.
- Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove the starch.
- You can also make this rice without soaking. In that case, increase the cooking time and set the IP on 7 minutes under high pressure. But I would recommend you to first soak the rice. By soaking, the rice becomes fluffy and light.
- Sautéing rice in oil is an important step to build flavor and get the proper texture. So don’t skip that step. Stir the rice to coat with oil. Keep stirring for about 30 to 60 seconds until the rice just begins to turn golden and become fragrant. Don’t let the rice burn. Make sure you stir it continuously.
- You can even make this with brown rice ( but the cooking time will change significantly ).
- Rice to Liquid (Water+Green Paste) ratio is very important while making rice in Instant Pot. Please add the exact amount of Green paste and water mentioned in the recipe. Because I have tried multiple times with different ratio and this proportion is perfect.
- If you don’t have Instant Pot, you can make this in a regular pan too. I will share both the ways in the recipe card.
Which Rice Is Best for Arroz Verde?
Authentic Mexican Green Rice or Arroz Verde is prepared by using Morelos Rice. But I couldn’t find them in my local grocery store. So I have used Basmati rice.
I love using long grain rice! It gets fluffy and does not get sticky like some of the short-grained rice.
How to make Instant Pot Arroz Verde (Green Rice)?
Here is a step by step process of making Green Rice in Instant Pot –
Wash and soak the rice in a bowl for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, take Poblano Peppers, Spinach, Cilantro, Green Onions, Garlic and Serrano chilies in a blender. Add ¼ cup of water, blend them in a blender or in a food processor and make a paste. It’s okay to leave it just a little chunky.
Now drain all the water from rice.
Heat oil in Instant Pot on a Normal saute mode.
Add Drained rice. Saute for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring continuously.
Now add Prepared green paste and saute for few seconds.
Add water, salt, and corn.
Cover the IP, vent valve on sealing position.
Press the manual/pressure button, set it for 5 minutes under high pressure.
Once cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally. This will take about 20 minutes.
Now Open the Instant Pot and carefully fluff the rice with a fork.
Add Lime or Lemon Juice and mix.
Take Instant Pot Mexican Rice in a serving bowl, sprinkle some green onion greens and grab a spoon and eat on its own or serve this Mexican side dish with any Mexican main dishes.
I’m pretty sure this is my new favorite rice dish, and I am going to make it over and over and over again this summer!!
Go ahead, try something new! Your family is going to LOVE IT.
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Green Rice / Arroz Verde
Ingredients
- 1 cup - Basmati rice
- 2 - Poblano Peppers 150 grams
- 1 cup - Spinach Full Packed
- 1 cup - Cilantro Full Packed cup
- 2 stalks - Green Onion
- 2 cloves - Garlic
- ½ - Serrano Chili
- ½ cup - Corn
- 1 cup + ¼ cup - Water
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon - Oil
Instructions
In instant Pot
- Wash and soak the rice in a bowl for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take Poblano Peppers, Spinach, Cilantro, Green Onions, Garlic and Serrano chilies in a blender. Add ¼ cup of water, blend them in a blender or in a food processor and make a paste. It’s okay to leave it just a little chunky. I got 1 ¼ cup puree from this much ingredients. Keep this aside.
- Now drain all the water from rice.
- Heat oil in Instant Pot on a Normal saute mode.
- Add Drained rice. Saute for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring continuously.
- Now add Prepared green paste and saute for few seconds.
- Add remaining 1 cup of water, salt and corn.
- Cover the IP, vent valve on sealing position.
- Press the manual/pressure button, set it for 5 minutes under high pressure.
- Once cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally. This will take about 20 minutes.
- Now Open the Instant Pot and carefully fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add Lime or Lemon Juice and mix.
In Regular Pan
- Wash and soak the rice in a bowl for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take Poblano Peppers, Spinach, Cilantro, Green Onions, Garlic and Serrano chilies in a blender. Add ¼ cup of water, blend them in a blender or in a food processor and make a paste. It’s okay to leave it just a little chunky. I got 1 ¼ cup puree from this much ingredients. Keep this aside.
- Now drain all the water from rice.
- Heat oil in a pan on a medium to high heat.
- Add Drained rice. Saute for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring continuously.
- Now add Prepared green paste and saute for few seconds.
- Add 1 ½ cup of water, salt, and corn.
- Cover the pan and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes on a medium to high heat. Check the water after 8 minutes. Add more if required.
- Check its doneness by pressing the rice.
- Switch of the flame.
- Now Open the pan and carefully fluff the rice with a fork.
- Add Lime or Lemon Juice and mix.
Video
Notes
- Since the Serrano Peppers cooks with the rice, the heat really mellows the spiciness. But still, if you think you won't be able to handle the spice or making it for small kids, you may completely skip it.
- Use the freshest cilantro and spinach you can find. It makes a big difference in taste. Before blending, discard any sprigs that are pale and yellowish in color or have black spots.
- I love green onion in this green rice. It gives very nice flavors and aroma. But you may use any onions of your choice.
- Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove the starch.
- You can also make this rice without soaking. In that case, increase the cooking time and set the IP on 7 minutes under high pressure. But I would recommend you to first soak the rice. By soaking, the rice becomes fluffy and light.
- Sautéing rice in oil is an important step to build flavor and get the proper texture. So don't skip that step. Stir the rice to coat with oil. Keep stirring for about 30 to 60 seconds until the rice just begins to turn golden and become fragrant. Don’t let the rice burn. Make sure you stir it continuously.
- You can even make this with brown rice ( but the cooking time will change significantly ).
- Rice to Liquid (Water+Green Paste) ratio is very important while making rice in Instant Pot. Please add the exact amount of Green paste and water mentioned in the recipe. I have tried multiple times with different ratio and this proportion works perfect.
Nutrition
Warm Regards,
Dhwani.
Tried this recipe with little modification…used sona masoori rice mixed with quinoa. very refreshing and awesome taste .. thanks for the recipe dhwani!
Hi Preeti!
Thanks for your valuable feedback. I am so happy to know that you liked this recipe. <3
Hi Dhwani. Love all your Mexican recipes. I have a quick question. Can I make more gravy and freeze it for later use?
Hi Zeenal,
Glad to know that you liked my recipes. Yes, you can make more puree and freeze it in an airtight container up to a month. 🙂
Hello! Can this recipe made without onion and garlic. If yes then does the rice and water ratio Change without onion and garlic?
Thanks
Hi Sonia!
Yes, you can make this without onion and garlic, without changing rice n water ratio. Hope this helps. 😊
My husband and I unfortunately carry that pesky “cilantro tastes like soap” gene, but this looks soooo good. Often I will substitute curley parsley in recipes that call for cilantro. Do you think this would taste good, although admittedly different, if I used parsley instead?
Hi Susan,
Yes, it will taste good with Parsley. I would use Flat parsley. 🙂
Hi! Can I use Jasmine rice instead of Basmati? Thank you
No. You can not.