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    Home » Vegan

    Costa Rican-Style Gallo Pinto (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

    Published: Dec 28, 2020 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Kristen Wood

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    Disclaimer: You will find affiliate links for the products I use and love on this blog. I will earn from any purchases you make from these links, but it is at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!

    Gallo Pinto is a rice and beans dish with its origins in Central America. This take is inspired by my time living in Costa Rica and how I most frequently experienced this dish. It is so tasty and filling that I love to introduce it to others who may not have experienced it yet! You can also find this recipe in my book, The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

    A white plate with a mound of black beans and white rice.
    Jump to:
    • 🍚 What is Gallo Pinto?
    • 📖  A Note on Salsa Lizano
    • 🔪 How-to Make Gallo Pinto
    • 🍳 More Delicious Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Once upon a time, I spent some time living in Costa Rica and this dish left its delicious imprint on me. It is so simple, yet so flavorfully complex at the same time. Bonus: it is healthy and budget-friendly, too!

    Buy our Weekly Meal Planning Printable for $2.29. 💜


    🍚 What is Gallo Pinto?

    Gallo Pinto means "spotted rooster" in Spanish due to the speckled appearance this dish takes on. It is a traditional Central American dish with Afro-Caribbean roots. Despite slight variations by region, all versions of this dish contain rice and beans as the base.

    A white plate topped with pinto beans and rice dish on a wooden aqua background.

    📖  A Note on Salsa Lizano

    Salsa Lizano is a condiment found on nearly every table in Costa Rica. It is now easily and affordably accessible thanks to the internet, but if you would rather not go that route, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce is very similar and does the trick. Traditional Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, so make sure you purchase one labeled vegan or vegetarian. Alternatively, you can take a detour off the traditional route and enjoy this dish with any salsa or hot sauce of your choosing.

    A spoon grabbing a spoonful of gallo pinto topped with fresh cilantro leaves.

    🔪 How-to Make Gallo Pinto

    Step 1: In 2 tablespoons of oil, sauté onion, garlic and cilantro.
    Step 2: Add 1 can of black beans (liquid included) and 1/4 cup Salsa Lizano to the sautéed ingredients.
    Step 3: Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
    Step 4: Add 2 cups of cooked white rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
    Step 5: Cook for 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
    Step 6: Garnish with fresh cilantro, serve, and enjoy!

    🍳 More Delicious Recipes You Might Enjoy

    Sweet + Spicy Coconut & Peanut Sauce Fried Rice Patties (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

    Instant Pot Chipotle Peruano Beans (a.k.a. Canary or Mayocoba Beans)

    Adzuki Bean Coconut Curry (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    💭 Top Tips

    Want additional protein? This is delicious topped off with a fried egg or vegan egg.

    Want some spice? Saute some favorite chiles (peppers) alongside the garlic and onions.

    Want a touch of sweet? Serve with some sweet sauteed plantains.

    Other great additions: sour cream, guacamole, warm corn tortillas.

    A close up shot of gallo pinto topped with cilantro on a white plate.

    If you would like to try another delicious rice and beans dish, head a little further north for this delicious Morisqueta recipe from Broke Bank Vegan!

    📖 Recipe

    gallo pinto recipe on white plate topped with cilantro

    Gallo Pinto Recipe

    Gallo Pinto is a rice and beans dish with its origins in Central America. This take is inspired by my time living in Costa Rica and how I most frequently experienced this dish. It is so tasty and filling that I love to introduce it to others who may not have experienced it yet! You can also find this recipe in my book, The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Entrées, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Central American, Costa Rican, Latin American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Rice Cooking Time (if applicable): 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons oil such as avocado oil or sunflower oil
    • 1 onion (white or yellow) diced
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 15-ounce can black beans liquid included
    • 1/4 cup Salsa Lizano see notes in post for suitable replacements
    • 2 cups cooked white rice basmati or jasmine work well
    • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
    • Add the beans and Salsa Lizano to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
    • Add the cooked rice, chopped cilantro, and salt. Mix well and cook for 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
    • Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

    Notes

    This recipe and many others can be found in my cookbook, The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, available wherever books are sold!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 91IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

    Equipment

    Salsa Lizano
    White Rice
    Black Beans, Canned
    The Vegetarian Family Cookbook
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claudia Lamascolo says

      May 07, 2022 at 3:34 am

      5 stars
      The flavors were delicious and this was such a great side dish or lunch by itself, will make often

      Reply
    2. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      May 07, 2022 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      Oh that sounds so good. I have to try it.

      Reply
    3. Ieva says

      May 06, 2022 at 10:25 pm

      5 stars
      First time I made gallo pinto, and now I ask myself why. Really delicious and I love that it uses all the staple ingredients that I'd normally have in my kitchen! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    4. Anita says

      May 06, 2022 at 10:19 pm

      5 stars
      I feel like taking a vacation with each bite. It's delicious, and not too difficult to prepare.

      Reply
    5. Tara says

      May 06, 2022 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! Such a wonderful dish to hold onto your memories from Costa Rica. All of the flavors sound absolutely incredible and so easy too.

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        May 06, 2022 at 8:25 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply

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    About Kristen Wood

    Hi! I'm Kristen -- a mama, photographer, recipe developer and author of The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners and Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Everything you see here is infused with a bit of nature, magic and good health.

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