Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas is more than just a comforting dish; it’s a vibrant representation of Puerto Rican culinary tradition. The secret lies in the combination of tender rice and hearty gandules, enhanced by the warm, savory notes of spices and sofrito. This dish often graces tables during family gatherings, holiday feasts, or even for a cozy weeknight dinner. I can still recall the first time I tasted it at a friend’s family celebration—every bite resonated with depth, embodying flavors that felt like home.

Reasons to try it

There are plenty of reasons to make this Puerto Rican delight! For one, it’s a budget-friendly meal that packs a ton of flavor without splurging. It’s also a fantastic dish for feeding a crowd, as it brings out the joy of communal dining. Ideal for those busy weeknights or even a festive brunch, Arroz Con Gandules easily pleases even the pickiest eaters, thanks to its comforting flavors.

"This recipe is a game-changer! The pigeon peas add such a unique flavor and texture—my family can’t get enough!"

Preparing Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas Recipe

Making Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas involves a few straightforward steps. You start by frying your chosen meat — if you’re using it — then combine it with flavorful ingredients like sofrito, olives, and seasonings. Following that, the rinsed rice is added and cooked to perfection. These simple yet effective processes meld together to create a dish that’s truly satisfying.

What you’ll need

Here’s what you’ll need to make Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas:

4 slices bacon or ham (optional)
2 tablespoons oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, or achiote oil)
1 cup canned gandules (pigeon peas), or frozen, drained
¾ cup tomato sauce
½ cup green olives, sliced or whole (or capers)
¼ cup sofrito (thawed if using store-bought frozen sofrito)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
½ packet Sazon con culantro y achiote (or 1 tsp homemade sazon seasoning)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
3 ½ cups water or chicken broth
2 ½ cups Arroz Rico (medium grain white rice), rinsed

(Feel free to substitute the ingredients based on your pantry or dietary needs; for instance, olives could be swapped with capers for a more briny flavor.)

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