Instant Pot Paella Made In Just 30 Minutes

This Instant Pot Paella is filled with shrimp, mussels, rice, veggies, and loaded with flavorful seasonings. And it's got to be the quickest and easiest paella you can make - all it takes is 30 minutes to whip up.

THE BEST QUICK & EASY PAELLA RECIPE

If you've ever made paella before, then you know it's a recipe that typically takes hours to prepare. I mean, classic paella - made in a paella pan - can take 2-3 hours to marinate, prep, and cook before serving. 

However, this Instant Pot recipe takes just a fraction of the time! 

And the process of making this seafood pressure cooker paella is super simple too. All you really have to do is add everything to the Instant Pot and then let it take care of the rest.

How easy is that?!

Plus, this recipe uses all fresh ingredients that create a flavor-filled dish like no other. Seriously, once you taste this paella, you'll want to make it on a weekly basis.

Yeah, it's that good.

So, if you like easy seafood recipes, and you like things with flavor, you're going to love this recipe! 

By the way, if you want some more instant pot recipes, you have to try this sushi rice and sausage and peppers next.

INGREDIENTS 

Ok, so as I just mentioned, this Instant Pot paella recipe uses all fresh, natural ingredients, making it a healthy and delicious dish. 

Now, don't be intimidated by the number of ingredients - most of them are spices and seasonings that you probably already have in your pantry! 

Check out everything you'll need: 

• 1 ½ Cups Short Grain Rice
• 3 ¼ Cups Vegetable Stock or Broth
• ¾ lb. Raw Shrimp or Prawns 
• 1 ⅛ lb. Mussels, Cleaned
• 1 Large Leek, Chopped
• ½ Red and Green Pepper, Chopped 
• 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
• ¾ cup Peas
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 3 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
• ½ Tsp Saffron
• 1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt and Pepper

And make sure to pick up some extra leeks - you can put them to good use and make this leek and feta quiche for breakfast next! 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU PUT IN PAELLA?

For this recipe, we will be making a seafood paella with mussels and shrimp. 

But there are many different things you can put in your paella if you don't like seafood. 

Instead of the mussels and shrimp, you can use chicken, chorizo, or sausage! 

And you can also use different types of rice, such as Spanish rice, to add more flavor. Or you can even use long grain, white or brown rice. 

HOW TO CLEAN MUSSELS

One thing you'll have to do before getting into making this recipe is cleaning the mussels, and it is super easy to do. 

First, unwrap the mussels to allow them to breathe, and if any are broken or open already, you'll want to throw them out. 

Next, fill a pot with clean water, add the mussels to it and let them soak for 20 minutes.

After they soak, remove the "beard" like this, then take the mussels out of the water - do not dump - rinse and dry them, and now they're ready for cooking!

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT PAELLA

Once again, making this Instant Pot paella is so easy. Just a few simple steps are all you need to follow to make it.

And in 30 minutes, you'll have about 6 servings of a seafood meal that everyone will love. 

So let's get to it and make some paella!

STEP 1: COOKING THE VEGETABLES

First, make sure your peppers and leek are chopped. 

Then, set the pressure cooker to the "saute" setting, pour in the olive oil, and add the chopped leeks and garlic. Let these ingredients simmer until they soften. 

Next, add the chopped peppers, peas, tomatoes, garlic, paprika, saffron, turmeric, and salt and pepper. 

Then let everything cook in the instant pot for a few minutes.

STEP 2: COOKING THE RICE AND SEAFOOD

Now, wash the rice - if necessary - and add it to the Instant Pot along with the vegetable broth.

Then, set the Instant Pot to the rice setting or high pressure and cook for 3 minutes. When the time is up, and the rice is done cooking, natural release for 10 minutes, then turn the knob to the venting position to release the remaining pressure.

Open the lid quickly and take the rice out, then add the seafood and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes.

When everything is finished cooking, transfer all of paella elements to a serving dish - or a paella pan - and enjoy! 

STORING YOUR SEAFOOD PAELLA

As I mentioned above, this recipe will make about 6 servings of paella, so it is perfect for a big family dinner! 

Honestly, it is so good that everyone will want seconds or even thirds, and I doubt you'll have any left. 

And no leftovers is a good thing because you'll want to plan on finishing this paella the day you make it - seafood can go bad rather quickly.

But if you do have leftovers, you can safely store them in an airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

Well, that is how to make Instant Pot paella in just 30 minutes!

As I said, this dish is packed with flavor and makes for a great family meal or summer cookout - or just a regular weeknight meal too.

Honestly, it's one of my family's favorite Instant Pot dinner recipes that I make.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this pressure cooker paella recipe as much as I/we do.

If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

MORE EASY SEAFOOD RECIPES

If you love seafood, particularly shrimp, then you have to give these recipes a try next:

• Fried Mahi-Mahi
• Sweet and Sour Shrimp
• General Tso Shrimp 
• Firecracker Shrimp
• Blackened Shrimp
• Bang Bang Shrimp

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