Arroz con Gandules con Pernil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A festive Puerto Rican dish with pigeon peas, rice, and slow-roasted pork shoulder, finished with aromatic sofrito. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 70 minutes pairs cooked Pigeon peas, Rice, cubed Pork shoulder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add pork shoulder and cook until browned on all sides (8-10 minutes). Stir in sofrito and cook for 2 minutes until aromatic.
  2. Step 2: Add rice, pigeon peas, chicken stock, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
  3. Step 3: Remove pot from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then stir in chopped cilantro and epazote. Serve warm, ensuring each portion has rice, peas, and pork.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Arroz con Gandules con Pernil take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Arroz con Gandules con Pernil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked pigeon peas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Arroz con Gandules con Pernil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Arroz con Gandules con Pernil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Arroz con Gandules con Pernil?

Puerto Rican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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