Go Back
Print

Brown Mexican Rice

Instant Pot Brown Mexican Rice
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword Mexican Rice
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 1 hour

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot
  • 1 Strainer
  • 1 Large Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Long Grain Brown Rice
  • 3 cups Chicken Stock
  • 14 oz Chopped Tomatoes -- recommend Pomi
  • 4 tbsp Garlic -- minced
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Better Than Bouillon Roast Chicken -- low sodium
  • 1 large White Onion -- finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Kosher Salt -- to taste
  • 1 tbsp Black Pepper -- to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse rice with a strainer thoroughly until stream of water is clear.
  • Add rinsed rice and chicken stock to Instant Pot liner and rest for at least an hour and no more than 6 hours. Do not turn on the Instant Pot.
  • Strain rice and keep the chicken stock.
  • Place empty insert into the Instant Pot and select Sauté. Add olive oil and when shimmering, add onions and sauté until soft and translucent (about two to three minutes). Add garlic and sauté for one minute.
  • Add rice, stir until grains are coated, and sauté for one minute.
  • Add tomatoes and sauté for one minute.
  • Add stock and better than bouillon and stir to incorporate everything.
  • Lock lid and select (Custom) Rice setting. Cook and allow pressure to naturally release.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

On my mother's side of the family, every meal had refried beans and Mexican Rice.  I remember my Tia Keta catering a wedding and the most popular dish was the beans and rice.  I am not sure if my Aunt Keta ever made made her dishes with brown rice or without lard, but I am hopeful she would approve of ours.
In San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area, there are too many great Mexican food places to list.  The place that was close to what I grew up with was La Canasta, which I have just heard closed in April 2023 after 36 years.  Uno Dos Tacos broke the mold of having great Mexican food at a very reasonable price and a good margarita.  They have branched out to a higher end Mexican food restaurants Flores.  Outside of San Francisco, there was in Belmont, CA that was known for their grilled shrimp tacos.  If you are on a road trip down 101, you have to try La Placita Mercado in Soledad, CA.  It appears they have been 'yelped' and I remember this place having 1000's of positive reviews which is now 5 reviews.
For Seattle, we have tried 10+ places and with one exception of Tacos and Beer for a few dishes, they have all fallen short.  I have heard there is some excellent food outside of Seattle proper and White Center is the place I keep hearing about.  There is an Eater Seattle taco list we have tried for three years with places that have changed, but the results are the same.  We try not to be negative, but Tacos Chukis is a place we can easily not recommend.  The struggle has been real.