Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, some of my fondest memories revolve around the kitchen. It was a place filled with warmth and the irresistible aroma of homemade meals simmering on the stove. Among the many dishes that I recall my mother making, one stands out as a true comfort food staple is habichuelas guisadas, or Puerto Rican beans. In this blog post, I will be sharing with you my very simple recipe for this Puerto Rican classic.
What type of beans can be used for this Puerto Rican Beans recipe?
I typically use the beans that are already canned. If you like to prepare your own, you are welcome to use them too!
For this recipe, you can use small red beans, kidney beans, pink beans, or even black beans! I prefer to use the Goya brand, but I sometimes use store-brand beans as well. What ‘s truly going to bring out the great flavor in the beans will be the mixture of ingredients that we will add to them.
What ingredients are going to be use to make Puerto Rican Beans?
- beans
- meat- ham, kielbasa, hot dogs, sausage
- sofrito- a blend of pepper, onions, garlic, cilantro & recao (when avilable). You can find this in the freezer section at the grocery store or you can easily make this at home. Check out how I make mine here ➡️ Sofrito Recipe. You can use sofrito on EVERYTHING you cook!
- Sazon
- Tomato
- Potato, Butternut Squash or Pumpkin
Puerto Rican Style Red Beans
Print Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Sauce Pan
- 1 Large mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 can red beans
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbs sofrito
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup diced potato or butternut squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Adobo
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 packet Sazon
- 1/4 tsp oregano
Instructions
- Place sauce pan on medium to medium high heat.
- First, add olive oil and ham. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
- Next, add sofrito, garlic, tomato sauce and give everything a mix.
- Next, add oregano, adobo and Sazon and mix everything well again.
- Once the base is done, add the can of beans and water and mix well.
- Finally, add potatoes or butternut squash. (olives)
- Let beans come to a boil. Once they begin boiling let them simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. (mix occasional)
- After 10 minutes have gone by, give one final mixing, place lid on the pot and bring burner down to a low heat.
- Let the beans cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Once the final 10 minutes are up the beans are ready to be served!
Video
Notes
- You may use small red beans, kidney beans or pink beans.
- You can use your meat of choice- ham, kielbasa, sausage or hot dogs.
- If you want to make it vegetarian, simply leave out the meat.
- You may add green olives if you like them.
- Left overs can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.
How to serve Puerto Rican Beans
The beauty of this dish is that it’s so versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. I love to serve Puerto Rican beans over white rice. However, I also like to serve it over arroz con pollo, white rice, or just yellow rice. I also like to add a side of tostones, maduros. For meat, I like to serve it with some fried pork chops, roasted pork, or baked chicken.
Embracing our roots!
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to lose sight of the things that truly matter—the simple pleasures, the flavors that transport us back to our roots. For me, habichuelas guisadas are more than just a recipe, they are a connection to my past and a celebration of my culture. So the next time you’re craving a taste of a comforting meal, why not whip up a batch of Puerto Rican style beans and savor the flavors of tradition? Trust me, your taste buds will thank you. ¡Buen provecho!
💖 Yessi
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