Authentic Puerto Rican Rice Recipe: Arroz con Gandules

Looking for a comforting, flavorful dish that brings the vibrant taste of Puerto Rico right to your table? Arroz con gandules is one of the most beloved Puerto Rican rice recipes, and it’s perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or a cozy weeknight meal.

It’s packed with flavor from sofrito, sazon, and tomato sauce, and loaded with gandules (also known as pigeon peas). You’ll find this dish at just about every Puerto Rican holiday celebration, but you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy it.

If you’ve never made this dish before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every step. Once you try it, you’ll see why so many Puerto Rican families consider it a staple at their dinner table. The great thing about this dish is that it's a one-pot meal, so cleanup is easy and it feeds a crowd.

It’s also incredibly versatile and can be paired with so many delicious sides and proteins. Traditionally, arroz con gandules is served alongside pernil (roast pork), pasteles, or a simple avocado salad. It also works great as a meal prep rice recipe you can enjoy all week.

What is Arroz con Gandules?

Arroz con gandules is Puerto Rico’s national dish, and for good reason. It combines rice with pigeon peas, sofrito, sazon, tomato sauce, and sometimes meat. In many Puerto Rican households, it’s cooked in a caldero, a thick-bottomed pot that helps develop flavor and cook the rice evenly.

This dish dates back hundreds of years and is deeply rooted in Puerto Rican culture. Gandules, or pigeon peas, were brought to the Caribbean by Spanish settlers and enslaved Africans from West Africa, where the legume originated.

Over time, Puerto Ricans blended Spanish, African, and Taino (indigenous Caribbean) influences to create this flavorful and unique dish.

Arroz con gandules is especially popular during the Christmas season and large family gatherings, but many people make it year-round. It’s comforting, hearty, and incredibly flavorful—thanks to a combination of herbs, spices, and love passed down from generation to generation.

Ingredients To Make This Puerto Rican Rice Recipe

This is a dish that’s full of flavor, and each ingredient plays an important role. Let’s go over what you’ll need and what each ingredient brings to the table.

White Rice – A staple in Puerto Rican cuisine, long-grain rice is typically used. It becomes fluffy and soaks up the flavorful broth and spices.

Sofrito – This is the base of the dish, made from blended peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. It gives the rice its signature aroma and depth.

Gandules (Pigeon Peas) – These small legumes add protein and a slightly nutty taste. You’ll usually find them canned in the international or Latin food aisle.

Sazon – A packet of this Puerto Rican seasoning mix adds color and flavor. It usually includes annatto, garlic, cumin, and coriander.

Tomato Sauce – Helps build a rich, savory base when combined with the sofrito and sazon.

Chicken Broth – Adds moisture and enhances the flavor of the rice as it cooks. Some people use water, but broth gives it that extra layer of richness.

Olive Oil – Used to sauté the sofrito and spices, adding smoothness and helping everything blend together.

Olives – Green olives give a slightly salty, tangy bite that balances out the rice perfectly.

Salt and Pepper – These finish the dish and allow you to season it to your taste.

How to Make Easy Arroz con Gandules

Making arroz con gandules is easier than you think, even if it’s your first time. It’s a one-pot dish that just requires a little layering of flavors and some patience. Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Prepare Your Pot

Start by heating a large heavy-bottomed pot or caldero over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it warm up.

2. Build the Flavor Base

Once the oil is hot, stir in the sofrito, tomato sauce, and sazon. Cook everything for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes fragrant. This step helps release all the flavor from the seasonings and gives your rice a rich base.

3. Add the Rest of the Ingredients

Next, pour in the chicken broth, gandules (drained), olives, and rinsed rice. Stir everything together well to combine and ensure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.

4. Bring to a Boil

Turn up the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This is important to start the cooking process for the rice.

5. Reduce and Cover

Once you see bubbles and the broth is lightly boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook undisturbed for about 15–20 minutes. Don’t be tempted to stir too much—rice cooks best when left alone.

6. Stir and Let It Rest

Halfway through cooking, you can give the rice a gentle stir to prevent sticking. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the lid on. Let the rice rest for 7–10 minutes so it finishes steaming and becomes fluffy.

7. Fluff and Serve

Use a fork to fluff the rice gently. This helps separate the grains and makes it light and airy. Serve warm with your favorite Puerto Rican dishes.

Tips For Making Puerto Rican Rice Recipe

Here are a few helpful tips that will make your arroz con gandules come out just right:

• Use a caldero or heavy-bottomed pot – It distributes heat more evenly and prevents burning.
• Don’t over-stir the rice while it’s cooking – It needs time to steam undisturbed.
• Rinse your rice – This helps remove extra starch and keeps the grains from clumping.
• Let the rice rest – Don’t skip this step! It’s the key to fluffy, perfectly cooked rice.
• Adjust seasoning at the end – Taste and add salt or pepper after cooking if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of rice works best for arroz con gandules?

Long-grain white rice is ideal for this recipe. It cooks up fluffy and doesn’t clump together like short-grain rice. If you use brown rice, keep in mind it will require more liquid and a longer cooking time.

Can I use dried gandules instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to cook them ahead of time since they take much longer than rice to soften. Using canned gandules makes this recipe much faster and easier, especially if it’s your first time making it.

Can I make arroz con gandules vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You’ll still get a delicious, rich flavor thanks to the sofrito, sazon, and tomato sauce.

Why is my rice mushy or undercooked?

Mushy rice usually means you added too much liquid or stirred too often during cooking. Undercooked rice might need more time or a bit more broth. Every stove is different, so adjustments might be needed.

Have you tried arroz con gandules? Then, make sure to rate and review this recipe. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you and if it became a new family favorite.

If you're short on time or just want to try a quicker method, check out our top-rated recipe: Arroz con Gandules Instant Pot Recipe. It’s a game-changer when you need a delicious meal fast!