This Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Ground Turkey is an easy one-pot dinner made with tender rice, seasoned ground turkey, bell peppers, onions, and tomato sauce. Everything cooks together in the pressure cooker for a hearty, flavorful meal with minimal cleanup.
This dish is inspired by the Spanish rice my mom made when I was growing up. One night, I didn’t have tomato sauce in the pantry, so I used a jar of spaghetti sauce instead. It turned out so good that I’ve been making my own version that way ever since!
Why I Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
- Spaghetti Sauce: A 28-ounce jar adds rich tomato flavor and seasoning to the rice.
- Onion: Adds savory flavor as it cooks with the ground turkey.
- Bell Peppers: Use three peppers in any combination of colors for sweetness and flavor.
- Ground Turkey: Makes this a hearty, filling dish. Ground beef works just as well.
- Garlic: Adds extra flavor to the meat and vegetables.
- Chili Powder: Gives the rice a warm, mildly spicy flavor.
- Rice: Use uncooked long-grain white rice for the best Instant Pot results.
- Water: Provides the liquid needed to cook the rice under pressure.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Ground Turkey
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the chopped onions and bell peppers and cook for 2–3 minutes, until they begin to soften.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Turkey
Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Stir in the minced garlic and chili powder, cooking for another 30 seconds.
Step 3: Add the Rice and Sauce
Pour in the 2 cups of water and scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits. Add the uncooked rice and gently press it into the liquid. Pour the spaghetti sauce evenly over the top. Do not stir.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
Step 5: Fluff and Serve
Stir the rice and meat mixture together, then fluff gently with a fork. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips I Found Helpful
- Use Long-Grain White Rice: It works best for this Instant Pot method. Avoid instant rice.
- Scrape the Bottom: After browning the turkey, scrape up any browned bits to help prevent a burn warning.
- Don’t Stir the Sauce: Pour the spaghetti sauce over the rice and leave it on top before pressure cooking.
- Switch the Meat: Ground beef works just as well as ground turkey.
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Refrigerate promptly after cooking.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze cooled portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until steaming hot.
More Instant Pot Recipes I Love
Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Ground Turkey
Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Ground Turkey is an easy one-pot dinner made with ground turkey, tender rice, bell peppers, and spaghetti sauce. A hearty, budget-friendly meal with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 (28-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers, diced
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- Shredded cheddar cheese, optional, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the diced onion and bell peppers and cook for 2–3 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in the garlic and chili powder and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the water and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
- Add the uncooked rice and gently press it into the water. Pour the spaghetti sauce evenly over the rice. Do not stir.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on Low Pressure for 12 minutes, followed by a quick release.
- Open the lid and gently stir the rice and turkey mixture together. Fluff with a fork and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions, if desired.
Notes
Use regular long-grain white rice, not instant rice.
Pour the spaghetti sauce over the rice without stirring to help prevent a burn warning.
Ground beef can be substituted for ground turkey.
Refrigerate leftovers promptly in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 461Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 208mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 25g
Should the rice be cooked? I keep getting the water message.