Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Beans)

5 from 6 votes

Puerto Rican Habichuelas Guisadas: Savory stewed beans simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, a delicious staple in Puerto Rican cuisine.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Servings:

Calories: 124kcal

2 15.5 oz cans red or pink beans undrained
4 cups (approx) water I just fill the cans with water to measure
4 ounces tomato sauce or 1 heaping teaspoon of tomato paste
½ cup ham steak cubed or smoked kielbasa or whole ham hock
1 packet ham bouillon optional
¼ cup tocino (pork fat) if you cannot find it is okay
½ pound potatoes 1 cup potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
⅓ cup onions chopped
½ cup cubanelle or green, red bell pepper chopped
2-3 tablespoon pimiento stuffed olives
2 tablespoon sofrito
2 capful white or apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoon garlic puree or 4 cloves garlic finely chopped or thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro optional if you don't like cilantro
¼ teaspoon oregano
1 packet Sazón with Coriander and Annatto (Culantro y Achoite) found in the Latin section
½ teaspoon Adobo found in the Latin section
2 tablespoon oil
salt to taste

Add the oil to a pot or saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add the tocino (pork fat) and ham and cook until slightly browned.
Add the sofrito and stir. Cook for about a minute.
Add the pepper and onions and cook until the onions are slightly translucent.
Add the garlic and stir.
Add the beans (do not undrain the liquid in the can).
Add tomato sauce (or paste), olives, vinegar, spices, water and stir.
Add the potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the fresh cilantro and cook for 25-30 minutes. The beans are done.

Recipe Notes:

Sofrito is very easy to make and once you make a batch, you will have it ready for many other Puerto Rican meals. However, in a pinch, simply add extra peppers to the beans.