Puerto Rican Rice Recipe
Make Puerto Rican Rice Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Sofrito & aromatics
Rice & liquid
Add-ins & finishing
Method
Sofrito & aromatics
- 1
Heat oils
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven set over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until shimmering but not smoking (about 1–2 minutes).
- 2
Cook sofrito
Add 1 cup sofrito to the hot oil and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sofrito is fragrant and has reduced slightly, about 3–4 minutes.
- 3
Season sofrito
Stir in 1 teaspoon adobo (or garlic/onion/salt mixture), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for another 1 minute to bloom the spices.
Rice & liquid
- 4
Toast rice
Add 2 cups rinsed long-grain white rice to the pot. Stir to coat the rice in the sofrito and oil, and cook, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until the rice is slightly translucent at the edges and lightly toasted. This helps develop flavor and prevents clumping.
- 5
Add tomato and liquids
Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 cups water, and 1 cup chicken stock. Stir gently to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Taste the liquid for seasoning and add the 1.5 teaspoons salt, adjusting if your stock is very salty.
- 6
Bring to a simmer
Increase heat to high and bring the pot to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low so the surface of the liquid is just simmering.
- 7
Cover and cook
Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook undisturbed on low heat for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to maintain steam.
Add-ins & finishing
- 8
Rest
Remove the pot from the heat and keep it covered. Let the rice rest for 5–10 minutes to finish steaming and settle.
- 9
Fluff and add extras
Remove the bay leaf. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice. If using, stir in 1 cup frozen peas (they will warm from the residual heat), 8 chopped green olives, 1 tablespoon capers, and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or culantro. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- 10
Serve
Transfer the rice to a serving bowl or platter. Puerto Rican rice pairs well with stewed meats, beans, or plantains. Serve hot.