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puerto rican rice and beans

(5 ratings)
cookie23 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
rosa rivera
@cookie23
bronx, NY

This is a traditional dish all Puerto Ricans can relate to. It's very good and flavorful. It can be eaten with pork chops, fried chicken, or any other meat.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These Puerto Rican rice and beans take a little TLC to prepare. The final result, though, is worth every minute. Onion, peppers, and an assortment of seasonings add tons of flavor that the rice just soaks up. Rich with flavor, olives add a little salt to the dish. We cubed a ham steak cubed for testing. But if you have leftover smoked ham from the holidays, this is a great way to use the extras. Very hearty from the ham, you could enjoy these rice and beans as a meal itself. This makes a lot, so it's perfect if you're feeding a large family.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(5 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For puerto rican rice and beans

  • 1/2 c
    boneless smoked ham
  • 1 md
    onion
  • 1 sm
    green pepper
  • 1 sm
    red bell pepper
  • 3 clove
    garlic
  • 1 bunch
    cilantro leaves
  • 1/3 c
    corn oil for cooking
  • 1 can
    tomato sauce (8 oz)
  • 1 qt
    chicken stock
  • 2
    bouillon cubes chicken flavor
  • 1 c
    water
  • 1 can
    sweet pimento, chopped (4 oz)
  • 1/4 c
    pimento olives
  • 2 can
    pink beans or small red beans (15.5 oz each)
  • 1 1/4 Tbsp
    Goya Adobo powder with pepper
  • 2 pkg
    Sazon Goya Seasoning Culantro Y Achiote
  • 3 c
    long grain rice, uncooked

How To Make puerto rican rice and beans

Test Kitchen Tips
Make sure to use a large pot when making this recipe. At the very end, the liquid was absorbed but our rice wasn't quite done yet. So, we added an extra 1/2 cup of water.
  • Cutting ham into cubes.
    1
    First, cut in cubes the smoked ham.
  • Chopping onion, red and green pepper, garlic, and cilantro.
    2
    Put aside chopped onion, red and green pepper, minced garlic, and cilantro.
  • Browning ham. Ready to add onions, peppers, garlic, and cilantro.
    3
    In a cast iron pot (about 4 quarts), put oil. When hot, put in ham and let cook for 3 minutes. Then add onions, peppers, garlic, and cilantro.
  • Tomato sauce, chicken stock, water, bouillon, pimentos, olives, and beans added to pot.
    4
    When tender, add tomato sauce, chicken stock, water, and bouillon. Then add pimentos, olives, and 2 cans of pink or red beans.
  • Adding seasonings to the pot.
    5
    Add Adobo and Sazon seasoning.
  • Stirring in rice.
    6
    Stir in rice.
  • Simmering rice and beans on low heat.
    7
    Cook on low heat, covered tight or put aluminum first and cover, and let cook for 30 minutes.
  • Stirring the rice and beans as it cooks.
    8
    When liquid is absorbed take a large spoon for moving the rice around and do it a few times. Then cover and cook for another 30 minutes. You will be smelling the aroma of your rice. Uncover and stir again and taste the rice to see if the grain is fully cooked. If so, cover shut the stove and now you are ready to enjoy your delicious Puerto Rican rice and beans. You could make pork chops or chicken and salad on the side. You won't regret doing this dish, bon appetite. Serves 8 or more depending on how you serve.
  • Puerto Rican Rice and Beans in a bowl.
    9
    This dish goes well with my flan as a dessert. Whatever you serve it with - enjoy my authentic Puerto Rican rice and beans!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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