This Arroz Mamposteao recipe ( “Dirty Rice” and Beans) is a delicious Puerto Rican rice dish that I have always loved. A blend of white rice, combined with stewed beans, bacon, onions, peppers and spices creating the most flavorful rice. Perfect side dish for pork chops, steak and chicken.
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Translation and Origin
On our beautiful island of Puerto Rico, rice is a staple and an absolute must. It is consumed at almost every meal without falter.
However, from all the rice dishes we have, this rice dish is by far one of my favorite of them all.
Arroz mamposteao, basically translates to stewed beans and rice mixed together.
I like to refer to it as a sort of Puerto Rican “dirty rice” dish with beans.
This iconic Puerto Rican rice dish, originated from the need and want to make a different dish with the leftover white rice and red stewed beans from the night before.
How is Arroz Mamposteao Normally Prepared
However, although it is common practice to use leftover rice and beans, this rice has become so popular that restaurants throughout the island will purposefully make white rice and stewed beans just to make arroz mamposteao for their patrons.
And sometimes I do the same when I don’t have leftover rice and red beans. 🙂 I just love the flavor.
The rice and beans are combined with Puerto Rican spices and the flavor and texture of the beans and rice are then taken to another level while still being moist and creamy.
All Puerto Rican homes and chefs have their own way of making arroz mamposteao. But certain ingredients are universal.
Of course the rice and beans as well as garlic, onions and peppers. But traditionally you will add pieces of either chopped ham, chorizo or bacon. Sometimes you will even see ripe plantain pieces mixed in with the rice.
I made my rice with bacon, peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro and scallions.
Traditionally you will already have homemade Puertorican stewed beans, however if you are not in the mood to make the beans a good flavored can of already seasoned red beans will work. WARNING: These will not produce the same flavor in the rice but will work in a jam. But keep in mind, nothing beats a good pot of homemade Puertorican beans. (You can usually find premade seasoned canned red beans in the Latin section of your supermarket) However, I will also include a recipe for “habichuelas guisadas” (stewed beans).
How to Make Arroz Mamposteao
Start with sauteing bacon cut into small pieces in a skillet.
Then add the peppers and onion and saute for a few minutes. Add the chopped garlic, soy sauce and stir and saute all together until onions are translucent.
Have the rice and beans ready.
Add the beans to the pepper, onion, garlic, soy sauce and bacon mixture. Stir.
Add the white rice.
Stir rice and beans well until you no longer see white rice. Cook for about 7-10 minutes.
Top with chopped scallions and cilantro. Stir well.
Rice is ready. Serve with more chopped scallions and cilantro.
What to Serve Arroz Mamposteao With
Rice can be accompanied with grilled steak, chicken, fried pork chops etc and avocado slices. Enjoy!
For more delicious rice dishes, you may also like:
I have included a “quick” sofrito recipe below for this arroz mamposteao recipe, however, for a full detailed sofrito recipe you may want to check out my Puerto Rican sofrito recipe.
And for another delicious Latin dish you may also enjoy this Cuban dish.
Arroz Mamposteao
Ingredients
Arroz Mamposteao
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup of Puertorican stewed red beans (recipe below) or a good can of seasoned beans such as Goya found in the International aisle of supermarket , see notes below
- 1 green or red bell pepper chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 3-5 slices of bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3-4 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves chopped (more for topping)
- 2 scallions thinly sliced (more for topping)
Quick Homemade Habichuelas Guisadas or Puertorican Stewed Beans
- 1 15 ounce red or pink beans I like the Goya brand found usually in the Latin section of supermarket
- 1 1/4 can full of water (use the same can that beans came in)
- 4 ounce tomato sauce any tomato sauce works but I use the Goya brand
- 1/2 a green pepper chopped
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro
- 1-2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1-2 heaping tablespoons of sofrito *see notes below for finding a prepared version in supermarket or follow my "quick sofrito" recipe below
- half a packet of Sazón with (Coriander and Annatto) Culantro and Achoite found in International/Latin aisle of supermarket
- half a packet of ham flavor (if you have ham steak, even better, cut into small pieces) I like the Goya jamón (ham)
- 1 tbsp oil
- salt to taste
For a "QUICK" Sofrito recipe
- 1 green bell pepper rinsed, seeds removed and cut in quarters
- 1/2 onion quartered
- 1 roma tomato rinsed and quartered
- 5 garlic cloves peeled
- 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp oil
Instructions
For a "QUICK" Sofrito recipe
- Add all ingredients to a chopper or blender and blend until smooth.
- To preserve, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator if using in the next few weeks.Otherwise freeze in ice cube trays and then place in a freezer bag after frozen. No need to thaw out before use.
Quick Homemade Habichuelas Guisadas or Puertorican Stewed Beans
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of oil. Saute onions and peppers for a few minutes until onions start to turn translucent. Add sofrito and saute for about 2 minutes.
- Add beans, garlic, ham bouillon (or if using ham steak saute for a few minutes), sazón, water and tomato sauce. Let cook for 15 minutes. Add cilantro and salt to taste. Cook for another 15 minutes. Done.
Arroz Mamposteao
- In a skillet over medium heat, saute the bacon until golden brown. Drain some of the excess fat out of the pan but keep some in for flavor.
- Add peppers and onions and saute until onions are translucent. Add garlic and saute for a minute. Add soy sauce. Stir.
- Add a cup of the cooked habichuelas guisadas (or seasoned can version). Stir and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add rice and stir rice and beans together until no white grains are seen. Add scallions and cilantro and mix. Cook for 10 minutes. Done.
- Serve with extra scallions and cilantro on top.Serve with fried or baked pork chops, grilled steak, chicken or whatever cut of met your heart desires.
Notes
Nutrition
I loooove making Rice and Beans so this “dirty” rice sounds delicious! I can’t wait to make this!
Let me know how much you love it Liz! 🙂
I love all of these ingredients! This looks like the perfect side for ANY meal!
It sure it!!
What a flavoursome rice side dish – I think I could eat this as a main by itself! So quick too!
Thank you! I certainly have had it as a main course! 🙂
This looks to die for! I’m always looking for more ways to enjoy rice!
Thank you Cliona! Think you would love this!
This sounds so delicious — I can think of dozens of things I’d like to serve with it. I love a side dish that’s packed with so many different fresh flavors. And I’d actually even have it as a main course!
Thank you Valentina! Yep, I’ve actually had it as a main course!
I am always, always up for beans and rice! Love the use of fresh ingredients too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Me too! 🙂
This looks so packed with flavor, I can see why you might make the beans and rice just to make this!
Yes Caroline!
This recipe looks so good! It looks and sounds like it’s filled with a ton of flavor!
Thank you! It is Shanika! So good!
This looks out of this world delicious! Love that it can be paired with a different variety of proteins!
Thank you Taylor!
MUST TRY!! This was beyond delicious !!! My husband is Puerto Rican. So much flavor with left over beans! I love it and will make it more! Thanks for the recipe!
You made my evening Mai! Thank you so much for such a sweet compliment! Love that you guys loved it! Thank you! 🥰
Made this last night and it was delicious. Thank you for all the work you do. To make a long story short, I’m half PR (dad is from Camuy) and have always wanted to cook authentic PR food for my family. I have fond memories of eating many of these dishes when visiting my dads side of the family. Now I can bring a little bit of PR into my home 🥳🥰 Gracias!
Hello Chelsea! Thank you so much for your kind words! It warms my heart to know that in a small way I have been able to help you bring a little bit of our delicious food into your home! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed this dish, it’s one of my favorites. Love arroz mamposteao! By the way, your dad is from Camuy and I am from Lajas, both on the same side of the island! Appreciate you dearly foodie amiga, gracias! 🥰