Puerto Rico Style Rice
A fragrant rice dish with coconut milk, vegetables, and a hint of saffron for a flavorful side or main course. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs rice, coconut milk, small, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, diced carrots
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/4 tsp saffron
- 2 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until golden. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1/4 tsp saffron and 1 cup coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, then stir in 2 cups rice, 1/2 cup peas, and 1/2 cup diced carrots. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 3: Fluff the rice with a fork and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Puerto Rico Style Rice 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 Puerto Rico Style Rice?
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 rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Puerto Rico Style Rice?
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 Rico Style Rice 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 Puerto Rico Style Rice 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
