Name: Puerto Rican Habichuelas
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp oil; 2 heaping tbsp frozen sofrito; 1 tsp minced garlic; 5 tbsp roasted garlic tomato paste; 1 can, 29 oz, kidney, red, or pink beans, mostly drained but not rinsed; 1½ cups water; 1 packet Sazón with Coriander and Annatto; 1 packet Goya Jamón ham flavored seasoning; 1 tsp Adobo; ¼ tsp dried oregano; ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 4 to 5 green olives, whole, for flavor; 1 bay leaf; Choose one:; ½ lb potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks; ½ lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks; ½ lb pumpkin or calabaza, peeled and cut into large chunks

What you need

1 tbsp oil
2 heaping tbsp frozen sofrito
1 tsp minced garlic
5 tbsp roasted garlic tomato paste
1 can, 29 oz, kidney, red, or pink beans, mostly drained but not rinsed
1½ cups water
1 packet Sazón with Coriander and Annatto
1 packet Goya Jamón ham flavored seasoning
1 tsp Adobo
¼ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp ground black pepper
4 to 5 green olives, whole, for flavor
1 bay leaf
OPTIONAL VEGETABLE
Choose one:
½ lb potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
OR
½ lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
OR
½ lb pumpkin or calabaza, peeled and cut into large chunks

Cooking timeline

0:00
Cook the Sofrito
Heat the oil in a medium caldero over medium heat. Add the frozen sofrito and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring as it melts and allowing some of the extra moisture to cook off.
0:04
Add the Garlic
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
0:05
Cook the Tomato Paste
Add the roasted garlic tomato paste and stir it into the sofrito and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute.
0:06
Add the Beans
Add the mostly drained beans and stir them into the tomato mixture.
0:07
Build the Broth
Add the water, Sazón, Goya Jamón seasoning, Adobo, oregano, black pepper, green olives, and bay leaf. Stir well until everything is evenly combined.
0:09
Add Potatoes, Optional
If using regular potatoes, add them now.
0:10
Taste and Adjust
Taste the broth. If making the beans without vegetables, season it the way you want the finished beans to taste. If adding potatoes, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin, the broth can taste slightly more seasoned because the vegetables will absorb some of the flavor.
0:11
Bring to a Boil
Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat.
0:13
Start the Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally.
0:18
Add Sweet Potatoes, Optional
If using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, add them now.
0:22
Add Pumpkin, Optional
If using pumpkin or calabaza instead, add it now. Stir gently so the pieces stay intact.
0:35
Check the Beans
If making the beans without vegetables, they may be ready around this point once the broth has reduced to your liking. If using sweet potatoes or pumpkin, check that the pieces are tender.
0:40
Check Potatoes
If using regular potatoes, continue simmering until they are fork tender. Depending on the size of the chunks, this may take about 40 to 45 minutes total.
0:42
Adjust the Consistency
If the beans become thicker than you like, stir in 2 tbsp water at a time until the broth reaches your preferred consistency.
0:45
Finish
Remove the bay leaf. Taste one final time and add a little more Adobo only if needed.

Trust Me on This: Leave the beans simple for a brothier pot, or add potatoes, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin for a heartier version. Add softer vegetables later so they do not overcook.

Hi, I’m Mia Oku!

The favorites we keep making

Puerto Rican Habichuelas

What you need

Cooking timeline

Flavorful Pantry Staples

Grocery List

Produce

Meat + Seafood

Dairy + Eggs

Pantry + Canned Goods

Spices + Sauces

Frozen

Bread + Grains

Other

What should I cook next?

Your next favorite belongs here.