Arroz a la jardinera is a delicious way to make garden rice that is not only easy to make but is super flavorful.
In Latin cuisine, there are many delicious recipe versions of an Arroz A la Jardinera.
Depending on the country arroz a la jardinera is made with a variety of vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn and different spices.
In Puerto Rican Cuisine we make it with adobo seasoning for flavor and sazon to add color.We even add more vegetables by adding sofrito which is a blended mixture of onions, peppers, garlic, and recao.
This is a good recipe to serve with fried chicken, a fried pork chop, or even boiled pork chops and a Puerto Rican green salad.
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Ingredients
All the ingredients mentioned here you can either get the recipe here in the blog or buy it in your local supermarket or a Latin grocery store.
- Oil- I used vegetable oil but you can substitute it for achiote oil and it will give the dish a soft smokey flavor and a nice color to the rice.
- Veggies- As for vegetables, you can use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables.
- I added carrots, peas, and corn which is pretty standard in in vegetable rice. But you can add many other veggies you like as long as they are vegetables that don’t get mushy quickly.
- Sofrito- The sofrito is one of the base flavors in this veggie rice that gives it that Caribbean taste.
- Tomato sauce- I used tomato sauce but tomato paste can also be used. Use half of what the recipe calls for the tomato sauce.
- Seasonings- This recipe has sazón which gives it a delicious flavor and a nice golden yellow color. I also added adobo all-purpose seasoning.
- Chicken bouillon- I used chicken bouillon but you can use any flavor you like. You can substitute for chicken or vegetable stock.
- Water- I use water to dilute the chicken bouillon. If you are using stock don’t add the water.
- Rice- I used medium-grain rice for this recipe which is the most commonly used in Puerto Rican cooking.
Variations
Change up the veggies to get different versions of this garden rice. My grandma used to make it and add green beans or beets on the side after it was cooked.
How to Make Arroz A la Jardinera
- Step 1: Chop the carrots to about 1-inch cubes and chop any other veggies you like to add. You can avoid this step by using a can of mixed vegetables.
- Step 2: In a large caldero add the oil, vegetables, tomato sauce, sofrito, and seasonings. Saute for 2 minutes over high heat to release all the aromas in the sofrito.
📓 Note: If you wonder if you need a special pot, the answer is no. I use a caldero which is the pot traditionally used for rice making in Puerto Rican cuisine. But in reality, any pot with a lid will do and must be big enough for the recipe.
- Step 3: Add the water or stock and wait for it to boil.
- Step 4: Add the rice, stir, and put the lid on. Cook for 10 minutes or until the majority of the liquid has evaporated.
- Step 5: Now fluff the rice. I like to separate the rice from the walls of the pot and make a dome in the middle. Cover and finish cooking for 20 minutes.
- Step 6: After the 20 minutes have passed you can serve immediately.
📓 Note: This rice is made on the stovetop but can easily be made in a rice cooker. You just have to follow the white rice instructions. You will also need to add less water.
Recipe Tips
- For an added layer of flavor and freshness, I love to squeeze a small lemon wedge over the rice. It can also be a lime. Trust me on this one that that hint of lemon makes the rice better.
What goes well with vegetable rice?
If meat is what you like to have with rice, chicharron the pollo will go well with this rice. You can also make some guineitos en escabeche on the side or a yuca en escabeche.
Storing
Store this rice in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Keep in your fridge for no more than 3 days and 3 months in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best vegetables for garden rice are the ones that usually hold up well. Like corn, carrots and peas. Other good alternatives are beans, celery, and mushrooms.
You can reheat rice on a stovetop over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Add one tablespoon of water to add moisture and create vapor. Or you can just put your rice on a plate and heat it in the microwave. Give it 30 seconds each time.
💬 Did you make this Arroz a la jardinera recipe? Please leave a star rating, comment, or question below. I read all the comments and appreciate all the feedback. Thank You!
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Arroz A La Jardinera (Garden Rice)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup carrots cubed
- ½ cup peas
- ½ cup corn
- 2 tablespoons sofrito
- 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon sazon
- 1 tablespoon adobo
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups medium grain rice
Instructions
- Peel and cut the carrot into 1-inch cubes. If you using canned vegetables skip this step.
- In a large pot over high heat add the oil, vegetables, sofrito, tomato sauce, sazon, adobo, and chicken bouillon and cook for 2 minutes. Stir constantly.
- Add the water and once it starts boiling add the rice. Stir, cover, and cook for 10 minutes or until all the water has evaporated.
- Fluff the rice. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy.
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