4.9 from 144 votes
Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Beans and Rice)
Traditionally served with breakfast alongside fried or scrambled eggs, Gallo Pinto is a hearty and delicious traditional Costa Rican dish. It’s a cinch to prepare, too!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Calories: 165 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Breakfast
Cuisine:
Costa Rican
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons light-tasting oil (vegetable, mild olive, canola)
- 1 red bell pepper , chopped
- 1 small yellow onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 cups cooked black beans , in 3/4 cup reserved cooking liquid*
- 1/4 cup salsa lizano **
- 3 cups cooked rice , preferably, day-old and refrigerated
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sauté chopped bell pepper and onions until peppers are soft and onions are translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add black beans, reserved cooking liquid, and Salsa Lizano, stirring to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened and little bit of the liquid is evaporated. Gently stir in cooked rice and cook until heated through and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in chopped cilantro. Season to taste with additional Salsa Lizano, if desired, and serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Low-sodium canned beans in their liquid can be substituted here if time is of the essence. But, if you do have the time to soak and cook beans from dried, the flavor and texture will be a big reward!
- **Salsa Lizano is essential to this dish. It's available in some Latin markets, much to my pleasant surprise, in the International aisle at my local grocery store, and can be ordered online. The sauce is also offered in a light version with 25% less sodium, marked "Suave." Salsa Lizano Light can also be ordered online.
- If you're watching sodium intake for a medical concern, we recommend consulting with your physician or dietician for guidance. Our nutritional calculations are provided as a courtesy through online databases and are only estimates. We cannot advise on medical matters.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.125recipe
Calories
165kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Sodium
352mg
(15%)
Potassium
210mg
(6%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
502IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
22mg
(24%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8to 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 165
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.125recipe | |
| Calories | 165kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Sodium | 352mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 210mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 502IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.