This cheesy Cotija Rice recipe is warmth and comfort. I’m disclosing that because I know the push for weekly rice is real in life for many; so a variation helps. This rice is family-friendly, gluten-free and can be made in an instant pot or on your stovetop.
I should have shared this recipe sooner but I’m happy to share it now. Expect a combo that goes together nicely with a variety of favorite weekday eats.
If you like rice, comfort, and savory cotija, try it. You may likely already have the 5 ingredients needed to make it.
What is Cotija [Rice]?
Cotija is a milk cheese. It’s savory with a distinct taste and the fresher it is the better. This rice and cheese reminds me a lot of parmesan rice, only it’s not, it is COTIJA RICE! I love rice and Mexican cotija cheese, both staple foods for me and maybe for you too.
This style rice I started making back when I wanted a few reminiscent flavors with the additional use of this grain.
My play on this rice is fun, it came to me when I’d make Traditional Morisqueta at my dads special request. It’s become my Mexican -inspired alternate to Mexican favorites like arroz blanco and yellow rice.
Mexican street corn has also inspired my flavored pots of rice. Make this recipe exactly as is but also add corn (fresh or frozen is fine). Once cooked, top with a lil squeeze of mayo, chili powder, lime and you got some elote rice as gusto. But really, it turns out almost risotto-like, if I had to compare it to a texture.
Ingredients
Grocery Quick List: rice, water or broth of choice, butter or oil, salt, and cotija cheese.
- water or broth
- rice
- garlic clove
- butter or oil
- cotija, grated
optional ingredient: corn, fresh or frozen
Ingredient Notes / Variations
Rice – long grain and short grain are the most frequent I go for. It’s easy to work with this type of rice grain in combination with cheese.
Salt and seasonings – you’ll be DIYing for healthier homemade approach. If you use a popular bouillon check the label, that’ll tell you if your recipe will remain gluten free. Otherwise, give my rice a try and stick to the recipe. 🙂
Fresh Garlic, Onion, or both – use garlic for sure, I don’t mince it when using the instant pot for this rice. For stove top cooking, I mince 1 clove. Onion (out habit to use but do not need it in making this rice). It’s entirely up to you, if you do decide to use onion, do 1/4 small/medium onion. Remove both once cooked and compost or dispose.
Oil or butter – for extra toasty rice use oil to fry the rice, for buttery rice use butter. The butter one will be richer in flavor and if it contains salt, avoid adding additional salt since the cheese you’ll add-in later is already salted. Ghee butter may also be used to make this!
Grated Cotija (rayado) – purchase it grated or grate by hand. It’s easy to buy a small portion by asking your cheese seller to give you the portion you need (i.e. 1/2 cup, 1 cup, etc).
Substitutions: If you don’t have cotija, you’re making parmesan rice. It’s technically a cheese substitute but to really taste the rice, I definitely recommend picking up queso cotija not to be mistaken with queso fresco.
Erika’s Favorite ingredient swap:
If I have cauliflower available I use that as a swap to rice grain. Rice the cauliflower for best texture, saute until soft, let cool, and then toss with cheese mixed in. I’ll share my recipe for that if you’re interested in learning the full process and all my tips. Just let me know in the comment section below. 🙂
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the rice first, then cheese it up:
- Gather all ingredients and rinse the rice (optional).
- Add the oil first, heat, and toast the rice for a couple minutes.
- Combine ingredients in pot, except for the grated cotija, adding the cheese will be the last step.
Set cook timer as a friendly reminder and let the instant do its thing. See photos of steps below.
A printer-friendly recipe card with instructions to make this rice is at the bottom of this post.
Ways to Eat [Cotija Rice]
Side salads with homemade croutons are automatic with rice dishes. Here’s a few of my favorite mains to any of our rice recipes.
Ways to Flip Leftover Rice for Meals
Use leftovers in making the following flavorful meals
- Filling for Mulitas doradas
- Burritos / bowls (if you like rice in them)
- Side dish to Shrimp (garlic shrimp)
- Side dish to Guisado de Papa (for veggie meals)
Some foods go with cheeses while others are preferential. These are my recommendations. I’ll update this list as I remember more.
Pro Tips / Receta Notes
Recipe yield: 3 cups cooked rice, 6 – 1/2 cup servings
Storage: Eat fresh for best taste. Store in a food-safe container with a lid. Properly stored rice will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Reheating: It taste best reheated when the rice is steamed. Or stove heated with a spoonful of water on low temp.
PLEASE STAR RATE THIS Cotija Rice. YOUR VOTE HELPS LatinasQueComen reach comida-makers. THANK YOU!
Follow & Share LatinasQueComen
Cotija Rice Recipe (with Garlic and Butter)
DESCRIPTION
Equipment
- Instant pot or pan
- Knife
- Bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Tablespoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice
- 2 tsp Butter ghee or oil as substitute
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup broth of choice chicken or vegetable, low salt
- 1 garlic clove split, whole or minced (see notes)
- 1 tsp sea salt or .5 tsp for light salt
- 3 tbsp grated Cotija Cheese
- optional: fresh or frozen corn
Instructions
To make the cheesy cotija rice
- Gather ingredients and rinse the rice. Drain any water.
- Turn Instant Pot on to saute on medium setting and butter, once melted, quickly add the rice and stir it in frequently so it begins to coat and toast.
- Turn saute setting to off.
- Add remaining ingredients, Except the Cotija, to the pot (the cotija will be the last step).
- Mix well and turn manual setting to ON for 6 minutes (disable the “Keep Warm” button).
- Cover and lock instant pot lid and seal venting. Set timer.
- Once timer sounds off allow natural release for 3-5 minutes then safely manually release pressure.
- Once pressure valve drops. Carefully and with a towel remove lid and cover top of pot with kitchen towel. Let cool for 10 minutes. Break up the rice, and sprinkle in Cotija Cheese, fluff gently a few times.
- Tip: It’s optional to remove the inner pot from the unit, just be careful when removing. I find hat removing it is helpful with speedying up the cool time process.
Notes
For all the helpful tips and recipe details visit the post by searching Cotija Rice Recipe on the LatinasQueComen website.
Nutrition
Equipment
- Bowl
- Tablespoon
- Instant pot or large pan
- Mixing Spoon
More Favorite Recipes For Dinner…
Try these too! They were created with the same amount of love.