If you’ve ever been to any Puerto Rican gathering, whether it be a birthday party, wedding, baby shower, Christmas, Thanksgiving, church get together or any other occasion, the Arroz con Gandules is guaranteed to be there! After all, it’s Puerto Rico’s national dish. This is why in my family we call it “party rice”. This deliciously seasoned and beautiful bright yellow rice will have your taste buds having a party in your mouth and wondering “how in the world could someone make rice taste this good?”
Why will you 100% love this rice recipe?
- It’s easy, simple and takes very little time to make! This is important if you are a busy mom trying to put dinner together quickly.
- It’s a crowd pleaser! I have never had anyone not like this rice! My kids sometimes just eat this arroz con gandules just by itself. When I’ve made it for potlucks at work or any other gathering, there are always compliments coming left and right. You can’t go wrong with it!
- It’s authentic! Why go out and spend a lot of money eating at a restaurant? Why not bring the Puerto Rican cuisine to your home?
- It’s downright delicious! There’s no arguing with this one. Who doesn’t enjoy delicious mouthwatering food?
Let’s get to making this Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules!
You are going to see just how simple and easy it is to make this Puerto Rican classic, Arroz con Gandules. Now, I want to be very clear here, everyone has their very own way of making this dish, so there is no one “right” way to make it. You put 100 different Puerto Rican cooks in one room and ask them to create this dish and chances are that you’ll get 100 variations. Though there are so many ways to make it, there are several ingredients that are must haves!
Some Essential Ingredients
- gandules– In English these are called pigeon peas, why that name I have no idea lol! These can typically be found in the International or hispanic section of your local grocery store.
- rice- long or medium grains will work (my personal preference is the Goya medium grain)
- sofrito– a cooking based made with cilantro, peppers, onions and garlic.
- meat– any of the following will work: ham, kielbasa, chorizo or hotdogs. If you are a vegetarian you can omit this.
Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules
Equipment
- pot with lid
- 1 knife
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 4 cups Medium Grain rice (I like to use Goya)
- 4 cups Water
- 1 can Gandules (pigeon peas)
- 2 packets Sazon w achiote
- 1 cup ham or kielbasa
- 1 tbsp adobo
- 3 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp sofrito or recaito
- 1 packet Goya ham flavor
- 1 tbsp olives (optional)
Instructions
- Turn on burner at a medium high heat.
- Sautee sofrito and meat in oil.
- Add the 4 cups of rice and mix.
- Add the 4 cups of water and mix.
- Add Sazon, ham flavor, adobo and mix.
- Let rice come to a complete boil and then add the gandules and mix well.
- Let the rice continue to simmer in medium high heat until the liquid mostly evaporates. (it should take 3-5 minutes)
- Lower hear to LOW and mix once again. Cover with lid.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes in LOW heat.
- Uncover, fluff, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
How can you serve Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules?
Arroz con Gandules can be enjoyed on it’s own or paired perfectly with a side of:
- pernil (roasted pork)
- fried chicken
- fried pork chops
- tostones or maduros (fried plantains)
- fresh side salda
- potato salad
Now it’s your turn to give this a try!
I always love hearing from you so make sure to let me know in the comments below how yours turns out 🙂
💖Yessi
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