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Gallo Pinto

A traditional Costa Rican dish — Gallo Pinto, literally ‘painted rooster,’ is the soul of the Tico breakfast table.

⏱ 10 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 BreakfastCategory
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A traditional Costa Rican dish — Gallo Pinto, literally ‘painted rooster,’ is the soul of the Tico breakfast table. Day-old rice and black beans are fried together with onion, sweet pepper, and Costa Rica’s beloved lizano-style sauce until fragrant and slightly toasted. Served with sour cream, fried eggs, and corn tortillas, it is the meal that powers pura vida mornings.

Master the rice and you master the dish: How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper until soft, about four minutes.
  2. Add the beans with their broth and simmer for three to four minutes, mashing them lightly with a spoon.
  3. Stir in the rice, coating every grain with the bean mixture, and cook for five to seven minutes, stirring often, until the rice is tinted and starts to crisp.
  4. Season with the lizano-style sauce and salt, then fold in the chopped culantro and cook one minute more.
  5. Serve hot with natilla, fried eggs, and warm corn tortillas on the side.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Day-old rice works best because it stays separate and absorbs the bean flavor without turning mushy. No lizano-style sauce on hand? Whisk one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce with a pinch of cumin and a pinch of sugar as a close stand-in.

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Recipe details

Prep10 min
Cook15 min
Servings4
CategoryBreakfast
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →