Puerto Rican Beans and Rice

Savor the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine with this hearty Puerto Rican Beans and Rice recipe! Combining tender kidney beans stewed in a rich tomato-based sauce, aromatic sofrito, and savory spices like adobo, cumin, and smoked paprika, this dish delivers a burst of Caribbean taste in every bite. With optional green olives for a tangy kick and a drizzle of chicken or vegetable broth for depth, this comforting recipe comes together in under 45 minutes. Perfectly served over fluffy white rice and topped with fresh cilantro, it’s a delicious, gluten-free, and budget-friendly meal that’s ideal for family dinners or meal prep. Dive into this classic Latin American favorite and experience a taste of Puerto Rico at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 piece small onion, diced
• 1 piece green bell pepper, diced
• 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cup sofrito (Puerto Rican cooking base)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups cooked red kidney beans (or pinto beans), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.25 cup pitted green olives (optional)
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper, and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and sofrito, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the tomato sauce, adobo seasoning, ground cumin, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Mix in the kidney beans, chicken or vegetable broth, green olives (if using), and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the beans stew for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with more adobo, salt, or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 9

Serve the stewed beans over a bed of fluffy cooked white rice, and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2036.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1819.3

Total Fat 46.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4188.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 299.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.0g	0%
Total Sugars 16.2g
Protein 52.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 346.8mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2405.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.8%

Protein: 11.5%

Carbs: 65.6%