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    Home >> Puerto Rican

    Puerto Rican Rice and Beans - Habichuelas Guisadas

    Modified: Oct 19, 2023 · Published: Sep 22, 2023 by Analida · • Word count:1644 words. • About 9 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    A collage of photos with text overlay showing a bowl of habichuelas guisadas or Puerto Rican stewed beans in a black bowl.

    The flavors burst from these habichuels guisadas (stewed beans) like no other bean dish I have ever tried! These can be served as a side dish with roasted pork (pernil) but they are hearty enough to make a meal out of them.

    A photo of habichuelas guisadas in a black bowl with rice and plates in the background.

    If you have ever been to a Puerto Rican or Dominican restaurant you will always find habichuelas guisadas on the menu. These don't disappoint as side dish and I always order them. These soft tender beans explode with Latin flavors are super easy to make at home too.

    One other traditional rice dish from Puerto Rico that is also a favorite of my family is arroz con gandules (pidgeon peas). Both of these rice dishes pair nicely with tostones ( fried green plantain) and bistec encebollado. You will have a full Latin meal with these on the menu!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions to Make Habichuelas Guisadas
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Puerto Rican Rice and Beans - Habichuelas Guisadas
    • Food Safety

    Ingredients

    The ingredients to make habichuelas guisadas are easily found at most grocery stores. Simple ingredients make a fantastic dish! Nothing fancy here and really easy to make. I want to clarify some details on the sofrito and recaito. Puerto Rican sofrito is a green condiment used in many dishes and consists of bell pepper, Spanish onion, aji duce peppers, garlic, cilantro and culantro or recao leaves. You place these in a blender and purée. This may be confusing but this is sold in the stores as recaito. Just remember recaito is the the same or very similar to Puerto Rican sofrito. The sofrito used in this recipe is the Spanish version sofrito sold in stores. I have a recipe to make homemade Spanish sofrito which I freeze into cubes for dishes like this. I have notes below on how to make the Puerto Rican version of sofrito below.

    A photo with text overlays showing all the ingredients to make habichuelas guisadas.
    • Beans - Use pink beans also known as habichuelas rosadas or pinto beans will work nicely also. Get the canned version to save time.
    • Ham - Any nice salty country ham will do.
    • Onion - I like Spanish onions for this dish.
    • Tomato sauce - Get a plain tomato sauce or purée.
    • Potato - I like a waxy skin potato because they hold their texture in soups and stews.
    • Olives - Get the Spanish olives with the pimento for the authentic taste.
    • Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil.
    • Spices/Herbs - Ground cumin, dried oregano leaves, garlic and bay leaves.
    • Chicken bouillon - Use one cube, any brand will work nicely.
    • Sofrito - The Spanish version sold in stores by Goya or my homemade one. (See link above.)
    • Recaito - This is also sold in stores by Goya and is similar to Puerto Rican sofrito.
    • Sazón - There are a several types offered so get the version that says "Con culantro y achiote".

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions to Make Habichuelas Guisadas

    Here are the step by step photos to make Puerto Rican stewed beans.

    Two photos showing the steps to saute the onions and adding the ingredients to make Puerto Rican stewed beans.
    • Step 1: Heat a Dutch oven or large soup pot on medium and add the olive oil, onion and garlic. Sauté on medium heat until the onion is translucent. Add the diced ham and continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes.
    • Step 2: Add the tomato sauce, sazón, cumin, recaito, sofrito, beans, oregano, bay leaves, olives, chicken bouillon and potato.
    A photo showing adding water to the pot and simmering the Puerto Rican stewed beans.
    • Step 3: Add the water and raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a low boil.
    • Step 4: Once it boils, lower the heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Add salt to taste. While the beans are simmering make the rice according to the package instructions.

    Hint: Use a fork to test when the potatoes are tender.

    Substitutions and Variations

    Here are some easy variations you can try to suit your taste or particular diet.

    • Veterarain - Leave out the ham and swap chicken bouillon with vegetable bouillon.
    • Spicy - Add ½ tsp of cayenne pepper to the recipe or just add your favorite hot sauce when serving.
    • Puerto Rican Sofrito - Swap the store bought recaito with the homemade Puerto Rican sofrito. Use a food processor and blend together the following into a purée: 3 green bell peppers (cored and seeded), 3 Spanish onions, 10 cloves of garlic, 1 bunch of cilantro (about 1.5 cups chopped), 12 aji dulce or cubanelle peppers (cored and seeded) and 12 leaves of culantro (also known as recao). Once you blend all these together use 2 tablespoon in the recipe and freeze the rest in ice cube trays or pack thin and flat into freezer bags so you can break off portions as needed. In some places these ingredient may be hard to find so that is why I use store bought recaito in this recipe.

    Equipment

    You really only need a few of basic items to make habichuelas guisadas. A large soup pot or Dutch oven with a lid. Be sure you have a lid so it does not reduce while you simmer. If you don't have a lid then you may have to add some water. It should have the consistency of chili. The beans will need drained and rinsed so a fine mesh colander works nice. A good cutting board and chef's knife for chopping wraps up all the equipment needed.

    Storage

    You can store the beans in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Be sure to allow the beans to completely cool before storing in the refrigerator. You can freeze this dish and it reheats nicely. Store in airtight containers for 4-6 months in your freezer. I like to use the Still Tasty site as a reference for all food storage questions.

    FAQ

    Can I freeze habichuelas guisadas?

    Yes, you can freeze this dish in airtight containers for 4-6 months.

    Are habichuelas the same as frijoles?

    Yes, the names for beans vary from place to place and the types that are most popular. In Puerto Rico most beans of any type are called habichuelas. In places like Mexico, Cuba, Colombia or Pamaná where I am from the term frijoles is used. Pinto beans are very popular in Mexico and black bean seem to be a favorite in Cuba etc. These pink beans are the most popular in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

    Can I make this dish with kidney beans?

    Yes, but the texture will not be the same. Kidney beans are larger and have a much thicker skin. The habichuelas rosadas or pink beans are small with a very thin and tender skin. Pinto beans would be a closer substitute. You can read about pink beans at Camellia.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • A photo of chuletas, black beans and rice on a white plate.
      Black Beans and Rice with Pork Chops - The Latin Meal
    • A photo of Moroccan harira soup in a ceramic bowl with spoons.
      Harira Recipe - Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup
    • A photo of misir wot red lentil stew in a black bowl with cilantro.
      Misir Wot- Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew
    • A photo of West African peanut stew in a gray ceramic bowl with rice.
      West African Peanut Stew

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with Puerto Rican rice and beans:

    • A photo of Puerto Rican slow roasted pork called pernil in a painted ceramic bowl.
      Pernil - Best Puerto Rican Slow Roasted Pork Recipe
    • A photo of ropa vieja in a striped bowl with tostones on the side.
      Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipe
    • A photo of pork carnitas tacos on a white plate.
      Best Slow Cooker Traditional Mexican Pork Carnitas
    • A photo of vaca frita on a white plate with caramelized onions and slices limes.
      Cuban Vaca Frita - Latin Style Flank Steak
    An overhead photo of Puerto Rican stewed beans with plates, spoons and a bowl of rice.

    Puerto Rican Rice and Beans - Habichuelas Guisadas

    Stewed beans bursting with Latin flavors! Great as a side dish or make it a meal.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Puerto Rican
    Keyword: boricua food, latin food, rice and beans
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 396kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Equipment

    • 1 Dutch Oven
    • 1 colander
    • 1 Chef's knife
    • 1 Cutting board

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion chopped fine
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 12 olives Spanish
    • 8 oz tomato sauce
    • 1 packet Sazón con culantro y achiote
    • 1 tsp cumin ground
    • 2 tbsp recaito
    • 2 tbsp sofrito
    • 31 oz pink beans 2 15.5 oz cans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 tsp oregano dried
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 cube chicken bouillon
    • ½ cup ham diced
    • ½ cup potato diced
    • ⅔ cup water
    • 2 cups rice white, medium gain

    Instructions

    • Heat Dutch oven or large soup pot on medium and add the olive oil, onion and garlic.
    • Saute on medium heat until the onion is translucent.
    • Add the diced ham and continue to saute for 3-4 minutes.
    • Add the tomato sauce, sazón, cumin, recaito, sofrito, beans, oregano, bay leaves, olives, chicken bouillon, potato, and water.
    • Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a low boil.
    • Once it boils slightly lower the heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
    • Add salt to taste.
    • Make the rice according to package instructions.

    Notes

    Variations:
    Here are some easy variations you can try to suit your taste or particular diet.
    • Veterarain - Leave out the ham and swap chicken bouillon with vegetable bouillon.
    • Spicy - Add ½ tsp of cayenne pepper to the recipe or just add your favorite hot sauce when serving.
    • Puerto Rican Sofrito - Swap the store bought recaito with the homemade Puerto Rican sofrito. Use a food processor and blend together the following into a purée: 3 green bell peppers (cored and seeded), 3 Spanish onions, 10 cloves of garlic, 1 bunch of cilantro (about 1.5 cups chopped), 12 aji dulce or cubanelle peppers (cored and seeded) and 12 leaves of culantro (also known as recao). Once you blend all these together use 2 tablespoon in the recipe and freeze the rest in ice cube trays or pack thin and flat into freezer bags so you can break off portions as needed. In some places these ingredient may be hard to find so that is why I use store bought recaito in this recipe.
    FAQs
    Can I freeze habichuelas guisadas?
    Yes, you can freeze this dish in airtight containers for 4-6 months.
    Are habichuelas the same as frijoles?
    The names for beans vary from place to place and the types that are most popular. In Puerto Rico most beans of any type are called habichuelas. In places like Mexico, Cuba, Colombia or Pamaná where I am from the term frijoles is used. Pinto beans are very popular in Mexico and black bean seem to be a favorite in Cuba etc.
    Can I make this dish with kidney beans?
    Yes, but the texture will not be the same. Kidney beans are larger and have a much thicker skin. The habichuelas rosadas or pink beans are small with a very thin and tender skin. Pinto beans would be a closer substitute. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 179IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 4mg

    Food Safety

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    You might also like to try these:

    • Alcapurrias - Puerto Rican Fritters
      A photo of alcapurrias on a white plate with plates and forks in the background.
    • Bacalaitos - Puerto Rican Codfish Fritters
      An overhead photo of bacalaitos in a black bowl with a red placemat underneath.
    • Avocado, Black Beans, Queso Fresco Empanadas
      Delicious vegetarian empanadas with avocado, black beans and queso fresco. A nice crunchy Latin pastry with creamy avocado filling! Que Rico! | ethnicspoon.com
    « Bacalaitos - Puerto Rican Codfish Fritters
    Tabouleh Recipe - Middle Eastern Parsley Salad »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole

      September 22, 2023 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe! My family loved it and it is going on our regular menu rotation!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 24, 2023 at 7:14 am

        Thanks Nicole! I am so glad you liked the recipe!

        Reply
    2. Amy Liu Dong

      October 08, 2023 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      It’s so easy to do and it looks so delicious! I’d love to try making this!

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 09, 2023 at 12:45 pm

        Thanks Amy! This dish is so good! Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Jamie

      October 09, 2023 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my, this bean treat looks incredibly delicious! A perfect treat that everyone will gonna love and enjoy! Indeed, a perfect side dish on any given occasion!

      Reply
      • Analida

        October 10, 2023 at 7:08 am

        Thanks Jamie! This is one of our favorite bean dishes!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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