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Classic Creamy Arroz con Gandules Recipe Easy Homemade Puerto Rican Style

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A comforting and creamy Puerto Rican rice dish made with pigeon peas, sofrito, and coconut milk. Perfect for family gatherings and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups medium-grain rice
  • 1 can (15 oz) gandules (pigeon peas), drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup sofrito
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 packet sazón seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup green olives with pimentos, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sofrito and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Stir in tomato sauce, sazón seasoning, adobo seasoning, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  4. Add drained and rinsed gandules to the pot and cook for 2 minutes to warm through.
  5. Add the rinsed rice, stirring well to coat each grain with the sofrito mixture. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes.
  6. Slowly pour in coconut milk and chicken broth (or water). Stir gently to combine. Add chopped green olives if using.
  7. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover tightly and simmer for 25-30 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Check if the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender after 25 minutes; cook an additional 5 minutes if needed.
  9. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.
  10. Remove the bay leaf, taste, and adjust salt and pepper before serving.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during simmering to keep steam trapped for creamy rice. Rinsing rice removes excess starch and prevents gumminess. The crispy layer at the bottom (socarrat) is a flavor bonus but avoid burning. Use vegetable broth and omit olives for a vegan version. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: arroz con gandules, Puerto Rican rice, pigeon peas, creamy rice, sofrito, coconut milk, easy Puerto Rican recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/classic-creamy-arroz-con-gandules-recipe-easy-homemade-puerto-rican-style/