What To Serve With Arroz Con Gandules? 10 Best Side Dishes

Not sure what to serve with Arroz Con Gandules?

This guide has you covered!

Arroz con gandules is a classic Puerto Rican dish of rice, pigeon peas, and pork.

It’s filled with flavor and goodness, but it needs the perfect accompaniments to make it into a complete meal.

That’s why I’ve gathered ten fantastic side dishes that are guaranteed to pair well with this beloved main.

From tenderly cooked vegetables to crunchy salads, there’s something for everyone in this selection.

These sides are not only delicious, but they also bring unique flavors and textures that will take your arroz con gandules from good to great!

So get ready as we explore the best accompaniments for this scrumptious dish.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes With Arroz Con Gandules?

• Variety: Serving side dishes with arroz con gandules adds variety to the meal, allowing guests to choose from a range of flavors and textures.
• Balance: Side dishes can help balance out the flavor profile of arroz con gandules by adding complementary ingredients such as vegetables or fruits that provide sweetness or acidity.
• Nutrition: Adding side dishes to your arroz con gandules provides an opportunity for you to include more nutritious options in your meal, such as leafy greens, legumes, and whole grains.
• Color: Side dishes can add color and visual appeal to your plate, making it look more appetizing and inviting for guests.
• Portion Control: Serving side dishes with arroz con gandules allows you to control portion sizes so that everyone gets enough food without feeling overly full afterwards!

What To Serve With Arroz Con Gandules? 10 Best Side Dishes

Arroz con Gandules is a delicious traditional Puerto Rican dish. But what should you serve with it?

Here are ten side dishes that will go perfectly with Arroz con Gandules, offering complementary flavors and textures:

1. Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)

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For a sweet finish to your Puerto Rican dinner, why not try making maduros?

These fried sweet plantains have an irresistible caramelized sweetness on the outside and a creamy texture underneath.

Pair them with some traditional arroz con gandules and you have a delicious meal!

2. Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

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Take arroz con gandules up a notch with an essential Puerto Rican side dish: golden fried tostones.

These crunchy, savory flattened green plantains pair perfectly with the rice and beans dish, or that delicious roasted pork you can create for a weekend meal.

You can find pre-made frozen slices at many Latin supermarkets or just slice them yourself!

In either case, coat in crispy Panko crumbs and fry until they’re light and golden — so good!

3. Tomato Avocado Salad

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Turn one of Puerto Rico’s favorite dishes into a delicious summertime meal by pairing it with an easy tomato and avocado salad.

This flavor-packed, nutrient-rich veggie side dish comes together in minutes with just diced tomatoes, ripe avocados cubes, onion slices, a touch of oil and vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice, garlic powder and some herbs.

Mix it all up for a healthy vegan side that goes with everything – arroz con gandules included!

4. Garlic Mashed Yuca Root

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Move beyond the ordinary mashed potatoes and try something a little bit different.

This delicious garlic mashed yuca root is creamy, savory and wonderfully fragrant – plus it’s full of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

To really bring out the flavor, you can add freshly-squeezed lime juice before serving as a simple side dish for grilled steak or roast chicken.

5. Crispy Sauteed Potatoes

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A proper side dish is essential for arroz con gandules — and we take things up a notch by transforming potatoes into crispy, golden brown delights.

These tasty potatoes hold their shape after pan-frying due to the unique way they’re prepared: First parboil and then cooling them overnight so they become extra firm before sautéing in butter.

Paired with a simple sprinkling of garlic and oregano, these sautéed potatoes will be the star of any Arroz con Gandule plate!

6. Grilled Vegetables

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If you’re looking for a flavorful side dish to go with your favorite main course, I know you’ll love grilled vegetables.

Choose seasonal vegetables like red peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms; they will retain their juiciness and pick up those delicious char marks on the grill grates.

Toss them in some good-quality olive oil to prevent sticking, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until fork-tender.

Serve these tantalizing veggies alongside pork chops or salmon fillets for a wonderful meal!

Read Also: What To Serve With Roasted Vegetables – 10 Best Side Dishes

7. Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

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Spice up Arroz con Gandules with a side of baked sweet potato wedges.

These seasoned wedges are the perfect accompaniment to this classic Puerto Rican dish.

Slice each potato into equal sections and toss in olive oil, sea salt, and smoked paprika for an extra kick of flavor.

Roast them in the oven until they’re crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, then serve while still hot and watch as your dinner guests rave about these delicious spuds.

Read Also: What To Eat With Potato Wedges? 10 Best Side Dishes

8. Refried Beans

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One of my go-to side dishes? Refried beans.

The canned variety is an easy option, but why not whip up a batch from scratch?

This recipe works with any type of bean—pintos, black beans, or cannellinis are all great options.

Top them off with some diced onion and cilantro — or get creative and throw in some cooked bacon or jalapeno peppers!

Read Also: What To Serve With Refried Beans? 15 Best Side Dishes

9. Tropical Fruit Salad

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A tropical fruit salad can turn an ordinary arroz con gandules dinner into an extra special night.

Toss together a few types of brightly-colored fruits such as pineapple, papaya, mangoes, and kiwi for a healthy accompaniment with your meal.

A simple squeeze of lemon juice and some crunchy pistachios will take it up a notch or two.

Read Also: What To Serve With Fruit Salad – 13 Best Side Dishes

10. Cuban Yuca con Mojo (Yuca with Garlic Sauce)

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Spice up your plate with Cuban Yuca con Mojo, a delicious combination of fried cassava and aromatic garlic sauce.

Kicked up with fresh lime juice, cumin and deepened with olive oil, this dish is amazing served simply on the side with things like Arroz con Gandules or grilled chicken thighs.

For an irresistible appetizer, turn these golden yuca wedges into little tacos, topped off with creamy mojo sauce.

Conclusion

In conclusion, arroz con gandules is a flavorful and traditional dish that can be served with a variety of delicious side dishes.

The best side dishes to serve with arroz con gandules are maduros (fried sweet plantains), tostones (fried green plantains), avocado salad, mashed yuca, cubed fried potatoes, grilled vegetables, baked sweet potato wedges, refried beans, tropical fruit salad, and boiled yuca with mojo.

These sides are all easy to prepare and will make your arroz con gandules dinner even more delicious and memorable.

So, the next time you make arroz con gandules, don’t forget to whip up some of these sides to accompany it.