Puerto Rican Arroz Con Gandules(Rice With Pigeon Peas)
Puerto Rican Arroz Con Gandules is a flavorful rice dish with pigeon peas, chorizo, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for family gatherings or festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 cups white rice ⓘ
- 5 cups water ⓘ
- 1 can gandules verdes (pigeon peas) ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small medium onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 small green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 5 small sweet peppers, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 packet sazon seasoning ⓘ
- 8 reco leaves, chopped with stems removed ⓘ
- 2 or 3 chorizo sausage, sliced ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons stuffed green olives
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sofrito or recaito
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or rice pot, heat the vegetable oil.
- When the oil is hot, sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent.
- Add chopped green pepper, sweet peppers, chopped reco leaves, and sliced chorizo. Sauté until chorizo is browned.
- Add stuffed green olives, chopped garlic, sofrito or recaito, sazon seasoning, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Add rinsed white rice and water to the pot.
- Season with black pepper, oregano, and salt if desired.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed, about 25-30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider using homemade sofrito instead of store-bought. If you can't find gandules verdes, you can substitute with canned black-eyed peas or kidney beans. Adjust the amount of sazon seasoning to your taste, and feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat. If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the chorizo and add more vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Arroz Con Gandules with a side of fried plantains or a fresh salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Spicy Salami for those looking to add a kick. Garnish with fresh cilantro or avocado slices for added freshness. This dish is perfect for family gatherings or as a comforting weeknight dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Arroz Con Gandules in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to prevent drying out and microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You can also reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding water as needed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Puerto Rican Arroz Con Gandules(Rice With Pigeon Peas) contains roughly 1032 calories, with 29g protein, 172g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (268% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1554mg per serving (68% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio. Brown rice typically requires more water and a longer cooking time, about 40-45 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook.
What can I substitute for chorizo?
If you're looking for a substitute for chorizo, smoked sausage or even a plant-based sausage can work well. For a milder flavor, you can use turkey sausage or omit the meat altogether for a vegetarian option.
Is there a way to make this dish spicier?
Absolutely! You can add diced jalapeños or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during the sautéing process. Additionally, using a spicy chorizo or adding a splash of hot sauce before serving can enhance the heat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).