Sazón Puerto Rican Rice and Beans
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico with my family's cherished Sazón Rice and Beans recipe, straight from Aguada. This dish is a culinary staple in our household, blending red kidney or pink beans with aromatic sofrito and savory spices. It's a comforting meal that not only satisfies the palate but also evokes the warmth of home cooking. Whether enjoyed as a main or a side, this easy recipe lets you experience the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine without the hassle of making everything from scratch. Perfect for a family dinner, it serves 4 or 2 for those with larger appetites. ¡Buen provecho!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Red kidney beans or pink beans
1 (16 ounce) can (drained)
Adobo seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (n/a)
Salt pork or Canadian bacon
1 slice (cubed)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (n/a)
Sazón con azafrán seasoning
1 (5 g) packet (n/a)
Sofrito sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons (n/a)
White rice
1 1/2 cups (uncooked)
Instructions
1
Start by rinsing the uncooked white rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then set aside.
2
In a medium saucepan, cook the white rice according to the package instructions (5-minute rice works well). Once cooked, drain any excess water and set aside.
3
Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over low-medium heat.
4
Add the cubed salt pork or Canadian bacon to the oil and sauté until it begins to sizzle and render its fat.
5
Stir in the garlic powder and adobo seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
6
Next, add the sofrito sauce and the Sazón con azafrán seasoning, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
7
Drain most of the liquid from the red kidney or pink beans, leaving just a small amount to help create a flavorful sauce, then add the beans to the saucepan.
8
Gently fold in the cooked rice and mix everything thoroughly to ensure the rice is well-coated with the sofrito and beans.
9
Allow the dish to heat through for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot, ideally paired with pork chops or your favorite protein.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sazón Puerto Rican Rice and Beans?
It is a traditional family dish from Aguada, Puerto Rico, made with red kidney or pink beans, aromatic sofrito, and savory spices.
Where does this specific recipe originate?
This cherished family recipe comes from Aguada, Puerto Rico.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe serves 4 people normally, or 2 people with larger appetites.
What types of beans can be used in this recipe?
You can use either one 16-ounce can of red kidney beans or pink beans.
What kind of rice is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of uncooked white rice; 5-minute rice works particularly well.
Is this a difficult dish to prepare?
No, it is an easy recipe designed to provide the essence of Puerto Rican cuisine without the hassle of starting every component from scratch.
What meat is used for flavoring the base?
One slice of salt pork or Canadian bacon, cubed, is used to render fat and add savory flavor.
How much sofrito sauce is required?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of sofrito sauce.
What specific Sazón seasoning is used?
The recipe calls for one 5-gram packet of Sazón con azafrán seasoning.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, while the original recipe uses salt pork or bacon, it is tagged as having a vegetarian option if those are omitted.
Should the white rice be rinsed before cooking?
Yes, you should rinse the uncooked white rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
What is the primary oil used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used for the base of the dish.
How much Adobo seasoning should I add?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of Adobo seasoning.
How much garlic powder is used in the dish?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Should I completely drain the canned beans?
No, you should drain most of the liquid but leave a small amount to help create a flavorful sauce.
What heat level should I use for sautéing the meat?
The vegetable oil and meat should be heated over low-medium heat.
How long should the rice and beans simmer together?
After mixing, allow the dish to heat through for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
It is ideally paired with pork chops or your favorite protein.
Is this dish considered a main or a side?
This dish is versatile and can be enjoyed as either a main course or a side dish.
What does 'Buen provecho' mean?
It is a traditional Spanish phrase meaning 'enjoy your meal' or 'bon appétit'.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
The recipe consists of 8 main ingredients.
What is the preparation method for the meat?
The salt pork or Canadian bacon should be cubed before being added to the pan.
When do you add the sofrito sauce?
Sofrito is added after sautéing the meat and seasonings (garlic and adobo) until fragrant.
Does this recipe use saffron?
Yes, it uses Sazón con azafrán, which is a seasoning blend that includes saffron.
What type of cuisine is this dish?
It is classified as Puerto Rican and Latin cuisine.
Can I use dry beans instead of canned?
While the recipe specifies a 16-ounce can for convenience, you could use cooked dry beans as long as you retain a bit of liquid.
Is this a budget-friendly meal?
Yes, it is tagged as an affordable meal, making it great for family dinners.
Should the rice be cooked separately?
Yes, the rice should be cooked according to its package instructions first, and then folded into the bean mixture.
What is the role of the vegetable oil?
The vegetable oil is used to sauté the meat and seasonings to build the flavor base.
Why is this dish called 'comfort food'?
It is considered comfort food because it is a hearty, traditional recipe that evokes the warmth of home cooking.