Puerto Rican Rice

Experience the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine with this irresistible Puerto Rican Rice, a classic dish brimming with authentic Caribbean flair. Made with long-grain white rice, aromatic sofrito, and seasoned to perfection with sazón, adobo, cumin, and oregano, this recipe delivers a rich, savory flavor in every bite. Pigeon peas (gandules) and pimento-stuffed green olives add bursts of texture and briny notes, while a simmer in chicken broth or water ensures tender, fluffy rice with just the right amount of moisture. This one-pot wonder, ready in under an hour, is perfect as a hearty side dish or a crowd-pleasing star of your next meal. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a touch of brightness and serve warm for a taste of Puerto Rico's culinary heritage. Whether you're cooking for family or entertaining guests, this dish will quickly become a favorite! Keywords: Puerto Rican Rice, arroz con gandules, authentic Puerto Rican recipe, Caribbean rice dish, sofrito rice recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.25 cup sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
• 0.25 cup tomato sauce
• 1 packet sazón with annatto
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 15-ounce can pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed
• 3 cups water or chicken broth
• 0.25 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or caldero, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the sofrito and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato sauce, sazón packet, adobo seasoning, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 5

Add the pigeon peas and mix well to coat them with the seasoning mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the water or chicken broth, salt, and green olives. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, carefully add the rinsed rice, stirring gently to distribute it evenly in the pot.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it cook undisturbed for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender, and the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking the rice.

Step 10

Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1772.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1353.6

Total Fat 45.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4811.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 201.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.7g	0%
Total Sugars 15.7g
Protein 36.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 271.0mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 1571.9mg	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: 30.2%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 59.2%