Vegetarian Arroz con Gandules

Bright, bold, and bursting with island flavor, Vegetarian Arroz con Gandules is a hearty Puerto Rican-inspired classic that's perfect for plant-based eaters and food lovers alike. This vibrant rice dish features creamy pigeon peas (gandules) paired with aromatic seasonings like sazón, adobo, and thyme, all cooked together with plump bell peppers, fragrant garlic, and a hint of tomato sauce for extra richness. Made with long-grain white rice simmered to perfection in savory vegetable broth, this one-pot wonder is as comforting as it is flavorful. Garnished with fresh cilantro, it’s a simple yet wholesome meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Whether you're new to Puerto Rican cuisine or a long-time fan, this vegetarian twist on a Caribbean classic delivers authentic taste in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 15 ounces canned gandules (pigeon peas), drained and rinsed
• 1 sazón seasoning packet
• 2 teaspoons adobo seasoning
• 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
• 2 bay leaves
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper, and sauté until the onion is translucent and the peppers are tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the tomato sauce and vegetable broth, mixing well. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 4

Rinse the rice in cold water to remove excess starch, then add it to the pot along with the gandules (pigeon peas), sazón, adobo seasoning, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Step 6

Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and become more flavorful.

Step 7

Discard the bay leaves. Fluff the rice with a fork, then mix in the chopped cilantro.

Step 8

Serve hot and enjoy this delicious vegetarian version of Arroz con Gandules!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2029.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1740.8

Total Fat 59.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4165.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 259.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.7g	0%
Total Sugars 28.4g
Protein 50.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 388.3mg	0%
Iron 18.6mg	0%
Potassium 3087.4mg	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: 30.0%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 58.5%