Costa Rican Gallo Pinto

Latin American · Costa Rica

Costa Rican Gallo Pinto

The quintessential Costa Rican breakfast of seasoned rice and black beans stir-fried with sweet peppers and aromatics.

30 min Easy Serves 4$2.91 estimated
Dairy-free
Gluten-free
Halal
Vegan
Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • Rice

    300 g cooked

    $0.27
  • Black beans

    1 tin

    $1.00
  • Red onion

    1 medium

    $0.27
  • Bell pepper

    1 medium

    $0.90
  • Garlic

    3 cloves

    $0.02
  • Vegetable oil

    2 tbsp

    $0.09
  • Cumin

    1 tsp

    $0.06
  • Coriander

    1/2 bunch

    $0.30
  • Salt

    1 tsp

    $0.01

Prices are estimates from our ingredient database and vary by market.

Preparation

  1. 1

    Finely dice the red onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Finely chop the fresh coriander leaves and tender stems.

  2. 2

    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.

  3. 3

    Stir in the minced garlic and ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Pour in the black beans along with roughly 3 tablespoons of their canning liquid. Simmer for 3 minutes so the liquid absorbs the aromatics.

  5. 5

    Add the cooked rice into the pan, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon. Stir continuously for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice has evenly absorbed the bean broth and turns speckled brown.

  6. 6

    Season with salt to taste, stir in the fresh coriander, and remove from heat to serve hot.

Gallo pinto is the iconic everyday staple across Costa Rica and Nicaragua.