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Puerto Rican Beans

Puerto Rican Beans (Habichuelas Guisadas)

Puerto Rican beans or habichuelas guisadas are stewed beans cooked in a savory broth made with sofrito and tomato sauce. They are the perfect compliment to white rice and are enjoyed in all parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. 
5 from 19 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can beans, drained & rinsed 15.5 oz can
  • 1/4 cup sofrito
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon sub vegetable bouillon, for vegan
  • 1 tsp adobo
  • 1 tsp sazon
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/8 tsp ground oregano
  • 1/2 onion optional
  • 1 tbsp pimento stuffed olives optional
  • 1/8 tsp sugar optional
  • 1/2 potato or calabaza, diced optional
  • cilantro sprigs optional
  • diced ham optional

Instructions
 

  • Add sofrito to a pot over medium high heat. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. If using diced ham, add it now and cook with the sofrito.
  • Add tomato sauce, beans, olives, water, chicken bouillon, seasonings and stir to combine.
  • Add onion, potatoes or calabaza, cilantro (if using) and bring to a boil.
  • Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until beans are tender and the broth has thickened.
  • Once beans are cooked, remove onion and cilantro sprigs. Serve and enjoy!
  • TIP: if your bean broth is too thin, take a small scoop of beans and mash them in a bowl. Add the bean paste to the broth and stir until well combined. This will thicken the broth nicely.

Video

Notes

Tips:

  1. If your bean broth is too thin, take a small scoop of beans from the pot and mash them in a bowl. Add the bean paste to the broth and stir until well combined. This will thicken the broth nicely.
  2. If your bean broth is too thick, add a splash of water and stir until well combined. Adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  3. If your beans are too salty, add water. If this thins out the broth too much follow step 1.
  4. If your beans are too bland, add adobo and/or other seasonings as necessary. Adding seasoning little by little is key! Fixing bland beans is easier than fixing salty beans.