Soy-Free Arroz con Gandules

Bring the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to your kitchen with this Soy-Free Arroz con Gandules—a savory rice dish that's brimming with warmth and complexity. A fragrant blend of achiote, garlic, and seasoned broth infuses every grain of perfectly cooked long-grain white rice, while tender pigeon peas and briny green olives add layers of texture and flavor. This version uses soy-free sazon seasoning, making it an inclusive option for those with dietary restrictions. With a medley of fresh cilantro, red bell pepper, and a hint of tomato paste for depth, this one-pot wonder is a satisfying centerpiece for any family dinner or festive gathering. Ready in under an hour, it’s a simple yet stunning dish that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, plantains, or a crisp green salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 15 oz pigeon peas (gandules), canned
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup white onion, finely diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 packet sazon seasoning (without soy)
• 1 teaspoon achiote powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 cup green olives with pimentos, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the onions and red bell pepper to the pot and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and chopped cilantro, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste, sazon seasoning, achiote powder, and bay leaf, stirring to combine all the ingredients.

Step 6

Drain and rinse the pigeon peas, then add them to the pot along with the sliced green olives.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a slight simmer.

Step 8

Add the rice to the pot, stirring well to ensure the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid.

Step 9

Turn the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 25-30 minutes without stirring, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 10

Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and garnish with additional chopped cilantro if desired before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1815.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1267.7

Total Fat 66.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7744.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.3g
Protein 22.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 179.9mg	0%
Iron 10.8mg	0%
Potassium 1197.7mg	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: 46.7%

Protein: 7.1%

Carbs: 46.2%