Gallo Pinto

Name: Gallo Pinto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Costa Rican
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked white rice (day-old preferred); 2 cups cooked black beans with some liquid; 1 onion, finely diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp Lizano sauce; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; Salt and pepper

Gallo Pinto (GAH-yoh PEEN-toh)

Spotted Rooster Rice and Beans

⏱ Prep Time 10 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 340 kcal

Costa Rica's national breakfast of rice and black beans stir-fried together with Lizano sauce, onion, and bell pepper, served with eggs, sour cream, and tortillas.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 12.0g

Carbs 55.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large skillet rice cooker wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: flat plate

Garnishes: cilantro, lime wedge

Accompaniments: fried eggs, sour cream, corn tortillas, fried plantains

Ingredients

3 cups cooked white rice (day-old preferred)
2 cups cooked black beans with some liquid
1 onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp Lizano sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper

Instructions

1
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened, about 4 min.
2
Add black beans with a few tablespoons of their liquid. Cook 3 min, lightly mashing some beans.
3
Add rice and stir-fry vigorously, mixing beans and rice until speckled — the "spotted rooster" pattern.
4
Pour in Lizano sauce, toss to coat evenly. Cook 3 min more until slightly crispy at edges.
5
Stir in cilantro, season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with fried eggs and sour cream.

💡

Did You Know?

Both Costa Rica and Nicaragua claim gallo pinto as their national dish, sparking a friendly culinary rivalry that has never been resolved.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large skillet
rice cooker
wooden spoon

Garnishing

cilantro, lime wedge

Accompaniments

fried eggs, sour cream, corn tortillas, fried plantains

The Story Behind Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto is the undisputed heart of Costa Rican breakfast culture, eaten daily by millions from the humblest soda to five-star hotels. The name refers to the speckled appearance of white rice mixed with dark beans. Lizano sauce, a tangy bottled condiment unique to Costa Rica, is considered essential. The dish reflects the Afro-Caribbean influence on Tico cuisine through the centrality of beans and rice.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast 📜 Origins: 19th century

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