There’s nothing like a pot of Arroz con Gandules simmering on the stove.
This classic Boricua dish brings warmth, tradition, and sabor to any family gathering — especially during the holidays.
Simple enough for any home cook, and full of the flavor our abuelas taught us. 💛✨
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) gandules (drained)
- 1 tbsp olive oil+1 tablespoon Chef Sharon Michelle’s No Soy Basura Achiote Oil
- 3 tbsp Chef Sharon Michelle’s No Soy Basura Sofrito (turmeric-infused optional!)
- 3 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 packet Natural Chicken Bouillon(Caldo de Pollo)
- 1–2 tbsp capers (optional)
- A handful of Spanish olives
- 1–2 cups smoked ham (optional)
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro
- 1 Plantain Leaf to cover the rice while cooking so grabs a delicious flavor
- Add lastly Roasted Red Peppers
Instructions (Chef Sharon Michelle x Chef Savory Method)
1️⃣ Build your flavor base
Heat the olive oil and/or Aceite Achiote in a medium or large caldero.
Add the sofrito and garlic and cook until fragrant — this is the heart of the dish.
Add ham (if using) and sauté for a minute or two.
2️⃣ Add your seasonings
Stir in packet Natural Chicken Bouillon(Caldo de Pollo), olives, capers, and the bay leaf.
Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
3️⃣ Add rice & gandules
Pour in the rice and drained gandules.
Stir so every grain gets coated in that beautiful red-gold base.
4️⃣ Add liquid
Add 3 cups of water or broth.
Taste the liquid — if it tastes perfect now, the rice will taste perfect later.
Adjust salt if needed.
5️⃣ Cook
Bring the pot to a boil.
Once boiling, lower the heat, cover, and let cook for 20–25 minutes.
No stirring.
6️⃣ Fluff & serve
Turn off the heat, keep covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Serve with LOVE💖🛖🌴
🔥 Chef Sharon Michelle’s Mystery Sofrito Moment
“Use sofrito — whichever one you have at home.
But listen…
if you ever taste my sofrito,
you’ll understand why this arroz con gandules has its own reputation.It’s the Chef Sharon Michelle blend…
the one with that secret glow.Pero shhh…
todavía no es el momento de revelarlo. 😉✨”
💛 Best Served With:
- Pernil
- Tostones
- Ensalada de coditos
- Or with a big spoon straight from the pot 😌
Chef Sharon Michelle
Publisher, Macaroni KID South Lake☀️Celebration🎉WDW🏰SW Orlando🌍Universal
Founder, No Soy Basura ™🌴🥥 + Tu Casa Es Mi Casa ™
✨ Sprinkling joy, culture, and community—one event at a time
