Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules

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

A classic Latin American rice dish cooked with pigeon peas, sofrito, and a blend of traditional spices for rich flavor. This latin american-inspired rice & grains ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium grain rice, drained pigeon peas (gandules), canned, sofrito for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup sofrito and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly thickened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp adobo seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for another 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups medium grain rice and 1 cup drained pigeon peas, stirring to coat the rice evenly with the sofrito mixture.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and gently fold in 2 tbsp capers and 1/4 cup sliced green olives. Let rest covered for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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-Style Arroz con Gandules?

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 medium grain rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules?

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-Style Arroz con Gandules 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.

What goes well with Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules?

Latin American rice & grains 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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