Arroz de Pajarito is a traditional side dish form the Caribbean coast of Colombia. This rice with ripe plantain is a wonderful recipe to served with any protein.
Arroz de Pajarito or Arroz con Plátano Maduro is a side dish popular in Colombia. It’s a very simple and easy recipe to make, perfect for accompanying all sorts of Colombian main dishes.
There are different variations of this dish, depending on the region of Colombia and the cook. My recipe is a basic and popular variation, but some people will add coconut, garlic, onions or bacon to the mix.
This recipe originated in Magdalena, a department in Colombia, located in the north of the country near the Caribbean Ocean.
Cooking Notes
For additional variations, you can also make this recipe with other grains, including brown rice, quinoa and barley.
Add fresh cilantro or parsley for extra freshness before serving.
Ingredients You'll Need
The printable recipe card with exact amounts and cooking directions is below.
Plantains: You'll need ripe or yellow plantains to make arroz de pajarito.
Rice: I prefer using long grain rice for this recipe. I like the texture.
Oil: I recommend using vegetable, canola or corn oil for this dish.
Butter: It gives the rice a rich flavor.
Salt: It gives flavor to the dish.
Water: To cook the rice.
How to Make Arroz de Pajarito
- Cook the ripe plantain cubes in a pan with the oil until they are golden. Set aside.
- Place the rice in a medium saucepan. Then add the butter, water, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir once, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the ripe plantains and stir well. Cover again and keep cooking for about 10 minutes more. Remove the pan from the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice using a fork and serve immediately.
More Side Dishes to Try
Tajadas de Maduro ( Ripe Plantain Fritters)
Plátanos Calados (Ripe Plantains in Syrup)
Colombian Potato Cakes (Lapingachos)
Arroz de Pajarito (Rice with Ripe Plantain) Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup of rice
- 2 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 ripe plantain cut into small cubes
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Cook the ripe plantain cubes in a pan with the oil until they are golden. Set aside.
- Place the rice in a medium saucepan. Then add the butter, water, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Stir once, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the ripe plantains and stir well. Cover again and keep cooking for about 10 minutes more. Remove the pan from the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice using a fork and serve immediately.
Soledad Chavez
I love cooking all of this delicious food.although I was born in Valparaiso de Vhile but I was raised in Colon, Panama. so it was my favorite food
Merry Pearl
Thank you for your precise instructions and your insight!
I’m of Latin descent and I have never been able to cook rice perfectly to save my life. It was a bit of a downer, given my heritage – but your easy step by step guide helped me make my first perfect rice in 20 years!
Thank you again!