Gallo Pinto Recipe: Costa Rican Beans and Rice Classic 2026

Gallo pinto is the beloved beans-and-rice dish that shows up on breakfast tables across Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Its name comes from the speckled look of white rice mixed with black or red beans, which is said to resemble the mottled feathers of a painted rooster. Simple ingredients and a fragrant sofrito turn this everyday combination into something truly satisfying.

The real magic of gallo pinto lies not in the ingredients but in the preparation and that savory base of onion, pepper, garlic and cumin. It is a classic breakfast dish, often served alongside fried eggs, fresh cheese, ripe or green plantain, sour cream, corn tortillas or a cup of black coffee.

Ingredients for Gallo Pinto

This recipe yields 2 generous servings and comes together in about 45 minutes from start to finish.

• 1 small onion
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Half a teaspoon ground cumin
• 100 g round-grain rice
• 390 ml water (about 3 parts water to 1 part rice)
• 160 g cooked black beans
• Cilantro, to taste

How to Make Gallo Pinto Step by Step

1. Chop the Onion and Pepper

Start by finely chopping 1 small onion and 1 small red bell pepper. Set them aside for the sofrito.

2. Mince the Garlic

Peel and finely mince the 2 garlic cloves. Having everything ready will make the cooking go smoothly.

3. Make the Sofrito

Heat a large skillet and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Sauté the onion, pepper and garlic with 1 teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of ground cumin until lightly golden. Once done, transfer the sofrito to a bowl and set aside.

4. Toast the Rice

In the same skillet, toast 100 grams of round-grain rice for a couple of minutes, stirring so it browns evenly.

5. Cook the Rice

Add 390 ml of water and cook for 10 minutes over medium-high heat, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

6. Add Beans and Sofrito

When the rice is cooked, add 160 grams of cooked black beans and the reserved sofrito. Mix well and cook over medium heat for another 5 minutes so the rice finishes cooking and the flavors meld.

7. Finish with Cilantro

Stir in chopped cilantro to taste, giving the dish a fresh, bright finish.

8. Serve the Gallo Pinto

Serve this delicious gallo pinto right away, while it's hot and fragrant.

Tips for the Best Gallo Pinto

Use Day-Old Rice if You Have It

While this recipe cooks the rice from scratch, leftover chilled rice works beautifully too. It dries out slightly in the fridge, so it fries up with a better texture and doesn't turn mushy when mixed with the beans.

Don't Skip the Sofrito

The sofrito is where all the flavor comes from. Take a few extra minutes to let the onion, pepper and garlic get lightly golden before you set it aside — that caramelization is what makes gallo pinto taste authentic.

Serve It the Traditional Way

Gallo pinto is a breakfast staple, so pair it with fried eggs, fresh cheese, ripe or green plantain, sour cream, corn tortillas or a strong cup of black coffee. Any of these sides turn it into a complete, hearty Central American meal.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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