If you’ve ever tasted Puerto Rican food, you know how flavorful and vibrant the dishes are. One of the staple is Puerto Rican rice, known as “Arroz con Gandules.” This savory rice dish is typically made with pigeon peas, sofrito, and a variety of seasonings. Together, these ingredients create an amazing flavor! I previously shared with you how to make Puerto Rican rice on the stove top. Today, I’m going to share with you how to make it using an Instant Pot!
You are going to see how easy it is to make this rice in the Instant Pot without sacrificing any of the authentic taste.
What is Puerto Rican Rice?
Puerto Rican rice, or Arroz con Gandules, is more than just a side dish, it’s a centerpiece of any Puerto Rican celebration. This dish combines medium-grain rice with pigeon peas (gandules), a mix of sofrito (a blend of aromatic vegetables), and a variety of seasonings like sazón and adobo. The result is a flavorful, aromatic rice dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Why Use an Instant Pot?
What can I say, I think the Instant Pot is just amazing! It’s a multi-cooker that can speed up cooking times while preserving the flavors and textures of traditional recipes. For Puerto Rican rice, the Instant Pot helps achieve the perfect consistency and flavor with less effort when compared to stove-top methods. (in my opinion)
Puerto Rican Rice Instat Pot Recipe
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Equipment
- Instant Pot
- mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 3 tsp adobo
- 1/2 cup ham, kielbasa, or sausage chopped
- 2 packets Sazon
- 1 packet Goya Ham flavoring
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp sofrito
- 1 can Goya Gandules (pigeon peas) drained
- 3 cups long grain rice
- 3 cups water + gandules liquid (total)
- 2 tbsp olives optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and add the oil. Once heated, add the diced ham (or meat of choice) if you’re using it. Sauté until it’s lightly browned.
- Seasoning Base: Add the sofrito to the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes until it becomes fragrant. Then, add the garlic, sazón packets, ham flavor packet, and adobo seasoning and stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Incorporate Rice & Water: Add the rice to the pot, stirring it with the sofrito and seasonings so that each grain is well-coated. Then, pour in the water and mix well.
- Add Pigeon Peas: Stir in the drained pigeon peas. If you’re adding olives, mix them in at this stage as well.
- Cook in the Instant Pot: Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure the valve is sealed. Select the "rice" button on the Instant Pot and let it cook.
- Allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release for 10 minutes and then release the remaining pressure.
- Fluff and Serve: Carefully open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- add olives or capers if you like them
- use your favorite type of meat
- serve with peril, tostones, potato salad, or fresh salad
- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
What can I serve with this Puerto Rican rice?
- Pernil
- Tostones
- Potato Salad
- Fresh Salad
- Fried or Baked chicken
- Fried Pork Chops
- Avocado
Why make this Puerto Rican Rice Instant Pot Recipe?
Making Puerto Rican rice in the Instant Pot is a simple and efficient way to enjoy a traditional dish with minimal effort. Whether you’re new to Puerto Rican cuisine or looking for a quicker method to prepare your favorite dish, this recipe delivers authentic flavors suing this kitchen must have. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your Instant Pot, and get ready to savor the delicious taste of Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules!
