Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables
Yellow seasoned rice cooked with a vibrant sofrito blend of peppers, onions, and garlic for a fragrant side dish. This latin american-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs long grain white rice, chicken broth, sofrito for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (blend of green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, cilantro) sofrito
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp annatto oil or ground turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup sofrito (blend of green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and cilantro) and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp annatto oil or ground turmeric to give the rice a golden color and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups long grain white rice to the pan, stirring to coat each grain with the sofrito mixture for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir once, bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Let rest covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Serve warm as a flavorful side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables?
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 white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables?
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 Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Puerto Rican Amarillo Rice with Sofrito Vegetables 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Finally found the real deal! My wife, who’s from Ponce, said it’s spot-on—no shortcuts in the sofrito.
- ★★★★★
This recipe brought back memories of my abuela's kitchen! The sofrito was perfectly balanced and the rice had that authentic amarillo glow.
- ★★★★★
Made it for my family dinner—everyone asked for seconds. The aroma alone made the whole house smell like Puerto Rico!







