Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

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

A vibrant one-pot dish featuring fluffy rice cooked with tender pigeon peas and aromatic sofrito, served with crispy fried plantains for a classic Puerto Rican meal. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs rinsed dried pigeon peas, long-grain white rice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 45 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup rinsed dried pigeon peas, 1 cup long-grain white rice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 medium onion finely diced, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 green bell pepper finely diced, and 1 small tomato finely diced. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning, 1 bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  3. Step 3: Remove bay leaf, fluff rice with a fork, and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately with 1/2 cup fried plantains on the side for a crispy contrast.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and Beans take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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 Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and 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 rinsed dried pigeon peas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and 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 Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and 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.

What goes well with Popular's Puerto Rican Rice and Beans?

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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