Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules and Pork
A comforting Puerto Rican rice dish featuring pigeon peas, tender pork, and sofrito-infused rice cooked to fragrant perfection. This Caribbean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs medium grain white rice, pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 medium grain white rice
- 1 can (15 oz) pigeon peas (gandules), drained and rinsed
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup sofrito
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/4 cup green olives, sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder and sauté for 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup sofrito and cook for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1 can (15 oz) drained pigeon peas, 2 tbsp capers, and 1/4 cup sliced green olives. Cook for 3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups medium grain white rice, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Stir once, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules and Pork take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 and Pork?
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 white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rican-Style Arroz con Gandules and Pork?
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 and Pork 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 and Pork?
Caribbean pork 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.
