Long considered one of the world’s most eco-friendly destinations, Costa Rica is also known for its delicious tropical cuisine. After all, who doesn’t love fried plantains, crispy yucca fritters, fresh coconut shrimp, or the country’s staple dish — Gallo pinto?
During a recent visit to the country, we enjoyed a variety of delicious Costa Rican dishes in La Fortuna, which sits at the base of Arenal Volcano. However, one of our favorite meals was the Gallo Pinto at Hotel Mountain Paradise, served for breakfast with scrambled eggs, fried plantains, Portuguese sausage links and halloumi or quest blanco cheese.
Today we are making Gallo Pinto, a medley of cooked white rice, black beans, and Salsa Lizano, the country’s signature hot sauce. You’ll find this dish served at most Costa Rican restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Translated from Spanish, the term means “spotted rooster.”
A traditional Gallo Pinto breakfast is usually served with eggs, fried cheese and a Portuguese style sausage. It’s absolutely amazing served with a hot cup of Costa Rican coffee!
Like this recipe? Check out my traditional Hawaiian breakfast here or try a traditional Costa Rican Gallo of picadillo de arracache.
Gallo Pinto from Costa Rica
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups canned black beans with liquid
- 1/4 cup Salsa Lizano plus more for topping
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Gallo Pinto Breakfast Additions:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Portuguese Sausage Links
- Halloumi or Queso Blanco cheese
- Corn tortillas
- Fried plantains
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet. Saute 1 small chopped onion with 1 chopped bell pepper until softened. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and saute another minute.
- Add 2 cups cooked canned black beans with their liquid, and 1/4 cup Salsa Lizano, and 3 cups of cooked white rice. Stir about 3-5 minutes until most liquid is absorbed, but rice is still moist.
- Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Season to taste with extra Salsa Lizano!
- Serve the Gallo pinto with scrambled eggs, 2 links Portuguese sausage, a wedge of fried white cheese such as queso blanco or halloumi, 1 warmed corn tortilla and 2-3 fried plantains. Pura Vida!
- Note: Salsa Lizano is essential to this dish. It’s available on Amazon or at your local Latin markets, such as Vallarta.
