Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Igor · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

Highly nutritious and healthy, these Costa Rican Rice and Beans (Gallo Pinto) make a great side or a stand-alone dish. Pre-cooked rice and beans are refried with veggies and spices!

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (1)

If you are following my blog closely, you must have noticed that there are few types of dishes that keep popping up again and again. The first one is pancakes (I can't live without them) and the second one is rice and beans. That's right. I am a huge fan of this side dish and I make it quite often to accompany meat dishes.

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (2)

One of the main reasons why I love beans, particularly black ones, is the high content of protein and fiber they have. I am trying to get fit lately (hitting a gym, watching what I eat) so every single day I need to consume big amounts of protein for muscles to grow. Even if you are not into sports, black beans have tons of health benefits so it's always a nice idea to consume them.

For the blog, I have already made Jamaican Rice and Peas (it's actually beans, but they call them peas) and Cuban Black Beans and Rice. Carribean region always delivers when we are talking about the beans!

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (3)

Today, though, I want to talk about the country which is not considered to be Caribbean but... It's not too far away. Costa Rica! These guys also have their own version of rice and beans, called Gallo Pinto. It's regarded as their national dish. Actually, their neighboring country Nicaragua also considers Gallo Pinto as their traditional food. There are even disputes between these two countries about where this flavorful dish originated.

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (4)

Now the fun part. Do you know what does Gallo Pinto mean in Spanish? Any guesses? You've disappointed me, guys. The answer was so obvious. Of course it means "spotted rooster", ha! It's believed that the dish got this name because of its colorful appearance: black or red beans mixed with rice, bell pepper, and cilantro.

So what's Gallo Pinto about? It's a mix of pre-cooked rice and beans, that are "refried" with various veggies and spices. Usually, these Costa Rican rice and beans are served with tortilla, scrambled or fried sunny side up eggs, fried plantains, cheese, avocados, or a mix of exotic fruit.

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (5)

Gallo Pinto can be eaten any time of the day. It is perfect for breakfast and lunch, or as a side dish for dinner. I usually have it alongside meat dishes and it's so much better than simple rice or pasta. There is nothing more to say. I highly recommend you to try this fantastic meal! Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (6)

Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (7)

Gallo Pinto Recipe - (Costa Rican Rice and Beans)

CookingTheGlobe

This rice and beans dish comes from Costa Rica and it's highly nutritious. Perfect as a side or a stand-alone dish!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 small onion , finely diced
  • 1 red bell pepper , seeded, finely diced
  • 2 cups cooked rice (I used brown rice)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups cooked black or red beans
  • ½ cup bean cooking liquid or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup finely chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to sizzle. Add the onion and bell pepper, and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.

  • Add the rice and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the cumin, beans, bean-cooking liquid, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, but the mixture is moist, for 10-15 minutes. Don't forget to stir. If the mixture is too dry, add a little bit more cooking liquid.

  • Stir in the cilantro and turn off the heat. Serve with tortilla, fried eggs, avocado, fried plantains, exotic fruit, or cheese. Enjoy!

Notes

1. The ratio of uncooked to cooked rice is about 1:3.
2. To get 2 cups of cooked beans you need about 6 oz. (170g) of dry ones.
Adapted from Viva Vegan!: 200 Authentic and Fabulous Recipes for Latin Food Lovers by Terry Hope Romero

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Igor

      Rice and beans is my favorite side dish ever. So many good recipes!

      Reply

  1. Elizabeth

    Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (8)
    Oh wow! I LOVE the look of this dish! I bet it tastes amazing, and full of so much goodness too!

    Reply

    • Igor

      The flavor is really fantastic, Elizabeth!

      Reply

  2. Dahn @savor the Best

    Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (9)
    Looks delicious, I love rice and beans and you have really added a lot of flavor with this recipe

    Reply

    • Igor

      Thanks, Dahn!

      Reply

  3. sue | theviewfromgreatisland

    I love being introduced to a new food culture, I'm going to try this asap, with lots of hot sauce 😉

    Reply

    • Igor

      You will love it, Sue!

      Reply

  4. Lisa | Garlic + Zest

    Pass a plate to me! That looks so good! Pure comfort food!

    Reply

    • Igor

      Yup, it's pure goodness, Lisa 😉

      Reply

  5. Linda @ Your Daily Food Choices

    Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (10)
    We love eating rice dishes for breakfast. They help add excitement and flavor. Your dish is so colorful and well seasoned. Looks amazing!

    Reply

    • Igor

      I am really happy you liked it, Linda!

      Reply

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Gallo Pinto Recipe (Costa Rican Rice And Beans) - Cooking The Globe (2024)

FAQs

What is Gallo Pinto called in Costa Rica? ›

“Gallo Pinto literally translates as 'spotted rooster' but is the name given to Costa Rica's ubiquitous national dish of rice and beans. The name most likely originates from the speckled appearance of the black beans against the white rice.”

What is the difference between Costa Rica and Nicaragua Gallo Pinto? ›

Nevertheless, Gallo Pinto is the national dish of both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The two versions do, however, have very distinct differences. In Costa Rica (and at Bodhi Surf + Yoga), Gallo Pinto is always made with black beans while in Nicaragua it is traditionally made with red beans.

What is the national dish in Costa Rica? ›

Gallo pinto, which has a literal meaning of "spotted rooster", is the national dish of Costa Rica. It consists of rice and beans stir-fried together in a pan to create a speckled appearance.

What is the traditional dish of Nicaragua and Costa Rica and what are the ingredients? ›

Gallo pinto or gallopinto is a traditional dish from Central America. Consisting of rice and beans as a base, gallo pinto has a long history and is important to Nicaraguan and Costa Rican identities and cultures, just as rice and beans variations are equally important in many Latin American cultures as well.

How often do Costa Ricans eat gallo pinto? ›

In Costa Rica, Gallo Pinto Is Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or a Midnight Snack. Leftover rice and beans transform into a lively, soul-satisfying meal in this beloved classic.

What is the national drink of Costa Rica? ›

Guaro Sour.

You may have heard of this one as it's considered by many to be the national drink of Costa Rica. Start with Cacique Guaro (as many Costa Rican co*cktails do), a clear sugarcane liquor. Add club soda, lime juice, and a dash of sugar over ice, and it doesn't get more refreshing than this.

What are the three most famous foods in Costa Rica? ›

Costa Rica Food, An Authentic Experience

Pinto and beans are a staple of Costa Rica and common denominator among different culinary tastes in different regions of the country. As a whole, the three most famous dishes of the country are Casado, Gallo Pinto and Arroz con Pollo.

How healthy is gallo pinto? ›

As a plant-based meal, gallo pinto is extremely healthy, and provides fiber, protein, antioxidants, and lots of vitamins. Why do Costa Ricans eat gallo pinto? First, because it's their national dish! Second, the ingredients are readily sourced and inexpensive.

What is the national food of Nicaragua? ›

cuisine of Nicaragua

The country's national dish is gallo pinto (fried rice mixed with black beans and other spices).

What are 3 breakfast foods in Costa Rica? ›

Much like the casado, there are regional variations, but the staples of the meal are gallo pinto, fruit, fried plantains, eggs any style, and usually a grain like bread or corn tortilla with a spread like natilla.

What is Costa Rica's number one food? ›

You won't make it a day in Costa Rica without gallo pinto, the national dish of rice and beans, seasoned with spices, peppers, onions, and lots of cilantro. Tico-style gallo pinto is part of a very typical breakfast dish called desayuno típico.

What is the national fruit of Costa Rica? ›

Guanabana has been declared the national fruit of Costa Rica, signifying the nation's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. In addition to its cultural significance, guanabana has deep roots in Costa Rican folklore and traditional medicine.

What is El Gallo Pinto made of? ›

Family Favorite: Gallo Pinto (meaning “spotted rooster”, in spanish, because of the speckled look of the rice) is made with basic ingredients that even the pickiest eaters will love: rice, beans, diced vegetables, and salsa lizano.

What is the difference between congri and Gallo Pinto? ›

Gallo pinto is Nicaraguan, congri is Cuban. Soak the beans in a pot in cold water covered by at least three inches at least four hours. Drain the beans and place in a large pot with two quarts of water. Pin the bay leaf to the onion with the clove, and add to the beans.

What are rice and beans together called? ›

Gallopinto, the rice-and-beans combination, is known by many names across Latin America, some charming like casamiento (wedding) others rather dated and decidedly politically incorrect like moros y cristianos (Moors and Christians).

What are gallos in Costa Rica? ›

The “Gallo” or “Gallito” is a very typical meal of the Costa Rican Culinary Culture. Generally, the “Gallo” is prepared with a white or yellow corn “tortilla” (corn pancake). On this “tortilla”, we put delicious finely chopped ingredients, cheese, an egg omelette, or the favorite meat.

What is casado in Costa Rica? ›

Welcome to Costa Rica's national dish and most popular lunchtime special, the famed casado: white rice, black or red beans, cooked veggies (aka picadillo), and/or salad, plus your choice of protein (chicken, beef, fish, or eggs), usually with a side of cooked plantains.

What is the difference between Gallo Pinto and casado? ›

However, the main difference between gallo pinto and casado is that while gallo pinto is a mixture of rice and beans, the rice and beans are separate with casado. There are many different variations of casado, which may include plantain, tortillas, cabbage, cheese, and/or a choice of meat.

What is a casada? ›

casada [kaˈzadu , kaˈzada] adjective. married. bem casado happily married.

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