Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans)

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

A traditional Puerto Rican side dish featuring fragrant rice, pinto beans, and coconut milk. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 65 minutes pairs long grain rice, (15 oz) pinto beans, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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: 25 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a pot, sauté 1 small diced onion and 1 diced green bell pepper over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups long grain rice and 1 can pinto beans.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Season with 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender.
  4. Step 4: Fluff with a fork and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans) take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 (Rice with Pinto Beans)?

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 long grain rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans)?

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 (Rice with Pinto Beans) 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.

Is Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans) vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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