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

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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.

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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