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
- 2 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
Instant Pot Paella | The Best Seafood Paella
This Instant Pot Paella is as authentic as it gets. It is filled with shrimp, mussels, rice, veggies, and loaded with flavorful seasonings. And it is the quickest and easiest seafood paella you can make. It'll only take about 30 minutes and is perfect for a big family dinner or summertime cookout!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients
1 ½ Cups (300g) Short Grain Rice
2 Cups Vegetable Stock or Broth
¾ lb. (350g) Raw Shrimps or Prawns
1 ⅛ lb. (500g) Mussels, Cleaned
1 Large Leek, Chopped
½ Red and Green Pepper, Chopped
1 cup (200g) Diced Tomatoes
¾ cup (100g) Peas
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Cloves of Garlic
1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
½ Tsp Saffron
1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to "brown" setting, pour in the olive oil, and add leeks and garlic. Simmer until softened.
- Add diced peppers, peas, tomatoes, spices, salt and pepper to the pot. Cook for a few minutes.
- Add vegetable broth and the washed rice Set the Instant Pot to the rice setting or high pressure and cook for 3 minutes.
- When the time is up, natural release for 10 minutes, then turn the knob to the venting position to release the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and take the rice out, then add the shrimp and mussels and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes.
- When it is cooked, transfer the rice to a serving dish and arrange the mussels and shrimp on top. Enjoy.
Notes
The scale up function does not change the gram measurements.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 435
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 51
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: instant pot paella, instant pot paella recipe, seafood paella, seafood paella recipe, paella, paella recipe, paella instant pot, instant pot paella shrimp, instant pot seafood paella recipe, instant pot shrimp paella recipe, how to make instant pot paella, how to make paella in instant pot, seafood paella recipe authentic, seafood paella recipe instant pot, paella recipe easy, easy paella recipe, paella recipe best
Aggie
This was delicious! Easiest paella I have ever made too.
★★★★★
Margaret
Just incredible. Favorite paella I've ever had!
★★★★★
Margaret P
Hands down the best paella that I have made. Very easy and delicious!!
★★★★★
Gale
The paella was so darn good. Never thought of making it in the instant pot but I came across this recipe and my family loved it!!
★★★★★
Katrina F
Really love this seafood dish! I will make it again for dinner, everybody really enjoyed it.
★★★★★
Harlene
Will be making this again it was top end paella.
★★★★★
Rhonda
True southern paella, delicious in every way!
★★★★★
Ruth
The paella come out truly delicious!
★★★★★
Serena
Fastest paella I have ever made. Tasted perfect too. I suggest making this.
★★★★★
Terry
My favorite paella I have had (at a restaurant or homemade).
★★★★★
Regan
My goodness this was delicious. All the flavors I'm looking for in paella!
★★★★★
Eliza
I used cauliflower rice to keep this lower in carbs and it was delicious!!
★★★★★
Devin
My favorite seafood recipe that I have ever made at home. My family loved this.
★★★★★
Jonathan
10/10 delicious
★★★★★
Rita
Can’t wait to try this! One question though, if I wanted to add chicken to this, when do I add it? Do I add it to the broth with the rice or at the end with the shrimp?
Thanks!
Brendan Cunningham
Hi Rita! I would cook the chicken separate and then add it in at the end before serving.
Jennifer
Ridiculous how good this was, will be making it again for sure!
★★★★★
Lauren P.
I added some sausage instead of the mussels and it was fantastic!!
★★★★★
Margaret L.
The very best homemade paella that I have had.
★★★★★
Jess
Super recipe!!
★★★★★
Charolett
Loved!
★★★★★
Larry
I don't like mussels so I used the shrimp. The paella was very very good. Probably best I have had.
★★★★★
John
One of the better paellas that I have had in recent memory.
★★★★★
Trent
It really is the best, thoroughly enjoyed this.
★★★★★
Haley
My favorite and I mean favorite paella that I have tried it was awesome
★★★★★
Betty
Very and I'm talking very good paella.
★★★★★
Rebecca
Simply delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Nancy
I am planning to make this next week for early Mother's Day get-together. There will be 11 adults & 3 children. If I double the ingredients, will the IP be able to accommodate?
Brendan Cunningham
It depends on the size of your instant pot but it should be able to!
Jenn
Could you turn on the saute feature at the end to crisp the bottom layer of the rice like traditional paella? This sounds delicious but I really want that crunchy part too!
Brendan Cunningham
Yes for sure!
Matthew
I was short on time so I threw the mussels and shrimp in with the rice and cooked for 10 minutes with a 15 minute natural release and it came out perfect.
★★★★★