Puerto Rican Rice & Beans with Sofrito (Arroz con Gandules)

Name: Puerto Rican Rice & Beans with Sofrito (Arroz con Gandules)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp achiote oil or olive oil; 4 tbsp sofrito*; 30 oz (2 cans) gandules (with the liquid); ½ cup tomato purée; ½ cup pimento olives, halved; 1 tsp sazon seasoning*; 3 tsp adobo seasoning*; 2 cups water; 2 cups white rice (medium grain), rinsed; optional: cilantro to garnish

by Salima Benkhalti on Mar 9, 2021 (updated May 28, 2024)

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Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 13 reviews

This family recipe for Puerto Rican-style rice and beans (famously known as Arroz con Gandules) is full of authentic flavors, and easy to make. Made on the stovetop in one pot, it’s ready within 30 minutes! Perfect for serving with chicken, pork, or as a stand-alone meal.

If you’re looking for more Traditional Puerto Rican recipes, a cozy pot of arroz con gandules is a good place to start. This staple of our cuisine is extremely popular, for good reason! We serve this classic one pot dish with almost anything savory.

It’s loaded with island flavors similar to my mom’s Arroz con Pollo, but comes together in even less time!

If you’re looking to put together a really special Puerto Rican meal, serve this rice dish with meat stuffed Pasteles and finish the night with my mom’s classic Flan recipe for dessert.

Matrimonio (“the marriage”)

This dish is a staple in many Latin cultures around the world, often referred to as matrimonio (which means, the marriage) for how well they pair together.

Not only are these Puerto Rican rice and beans super affordable, with the right ingredients, they are a truly satisfying and flavor packed meal.

Another commonly used name for this version of rice and beans is Arroz con Gandules (rice with ganduels.)

ingredients to make Puerto Rican rice & beans

What are Gandules?

Gandules (also known as Pigeon Peas) are round beans with a rich creamy flavor. They are a shade of bright green when fresh but come in a beige/brown/green color when canned.

You can find gandules used in many rice dishes and soups across the Caribbean. Buy gandules online or ask about them at your local grocery store.

Keep reading for a tip on how to use dry gandules in this recipe.

How to make Arroz con Gandules

sofrito and achiote oil in a pot — In a heavy bottomed pot heat the achiote oil (or olive oil) over medium high heat. Toss in the sofrito and cook until the onions are translucent. Remember you can use homemade or store bought sofrito.

arroz con gandules in a pot — In a heavy bottomed pot heat the achiote oil (or olive oil) over medium high heat. Toss in the sofrito and cook until the onions are translucent. Remember you can use homemade or store bought sofrito.

Dry beans?: if using dry gandules, cover with water and a sprinkle of salt the night before and soak. Add the liquid to the pot with the gandules.

boiling broth in a pot — Turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Once the liquid begins to rapidly boil, add the rice, stirring and returning to a boil before covering and lowering heat to a low simmer.

Leftovers?: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag and microwave in 1 minute intervals until warm and fluffy when ready to serve.

Sofrito

Sofrito is a magical mixture used in Puerto Rican cuisine as a base to many dishes. It’s primary purpose is to add flavor but it also helps develop .

Sofrito is usually made with a mix of onion, peppers, culantro or cilantro, recao and a few other ingredients. It comes together in under 5 minutes and can sit in your fridge for a week or in the freezer for months and be used as a starter or substitute for onions and garlic in so many dishes.

Make it from scratch, substitute it with 1 minced yellow onion, 1 minced bell pepper, ½ cup minced cilantro, and 4 cloves minced garlic or buy a can of store bought sofrito.