breakfastCosta Rican

Gallo Pinto

Name: Gallo Pinto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Costa Rican
Ingredients: 600 g Cooked rice (day-old, cold); 400 g Black beans (cooked, with liquid); 1 piece Onion; 1 piece Bell pepper; 3 cloves Garlic; 3 tbsp Salsa Lizano; 30 g Coriander; 40 ml Vegetable oil; 4 pieces Eggs (to serve); 2 pieces Plantain (to serve); To taste Salt and pepper

Gallo Pinto is a classic Costa Rican breakfast that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Cooked rice (day-old, cold), Black beans (cooked, with liquid), Onion, Bell pepper, Garlic, Salsa Lizano, Coriander, Eggs (to serve), Plantain (to serve) and Salt and pepper, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. The cooking process allows natural aromas to develop, ensuring each portion is both hearty and flavorful.

Serve hot alongside fresh bread, steamed grains, or a crisp seasonal salad for a well-rounded dining experience.

If you enjoy authentic Costa Rican cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Chorreadas.

Difficulty: easyPrep: 15 minCook: 20 minServes 4

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Ingredients

Cooked rice (day-old, cold)600 g
Black beans (cooked, with liquid)400 g
Onion1 piece
Bell pepper1 piece
Garlic3 cloves
Salsa Lizano3 tbsp
Coriander30 g
Vegetable oil40 ml
Eggs (to serve)4 pieces
Plantain (to serve)2 pieces
Salt and pepperTo taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

6 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1🍳 Fry

Fry the finely chopped onion, pepper and garlic in oil until soft, five minutes.

Step 2

Add the beans with a ladle of their liquid and warm them three minutes.

Step 3🥄 Mix

Add the cold rice and stir, breaking up lumps with a spatula.

Step 4🍳 Fry

Add the Salsa Lizano, season and fry over medium heat for seven minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5🥄 Mix

Stir in the chopped coriander and take it off the heat.

Step 6✨ Serve

Serve with fried eggs, fried plantain and, if you like, soured cream or fresh cheese.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Gallo Pinto carries a rich culinary tradition rooted in regional home cooking. Developed over generations, the recipe highlights wholesome local ingredients prepared with time-honored kitchen techniques.

Dietary Substitutions

If you need to accommodate dietary restrictions, cooked rice (day-old, cold) can be substituted with an equivalent volume of seasonal vegetables, legumes, or a protein alternative of your preference.

Chef Technique Tips

Season in stages rather than all at once at the end. Salting components as they cook draws out excess moisture, intensifies natural sugars, and builds harmonious depth of flavor throughout the dish.

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