Where does Gallo Pinto come from?

Gallo Pinto — country of origin: Costa Rica.

What is Gallo Pinto made of?

Rice, black bean, onion, green bell pepper, coriander, Worcestershire sauce.

Which allergens does Gallo Pinto contain?

Contains fish and fish products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.

How do you pronounce Gallo Pinto?

Gallo pinto (Spanish, Costa Rica) is pronounced /ˈɡaʝo ˈpinto/.

Gallo Pinto

Pronunciation (IPA) /ˈɡaʝo ˈpinto/

Costa Rican rice and beans mixed and pan-fried with aromatics.

Also known as: Gallo Pinto Costarricense

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Fish

Contains fish and fish products

Soybeans

Contains soybeans and soybean products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

What it really is

Gallo pinto is a Costa Rican dish of rice and beans mixed and fried with aromatics.

Cooked rice and beans are combined in a pan with onion, sweet pepper and seasoning. The grains take on colour and flavour from the beans and cooking liquid, while frying brings the components together without turning them into a purée. The exact ratio of rice to beans, bean variety and seasoning varies by household. Some versions use a prepared sauce for colour and savouriness; that addition should not be assumed to be universal. Gallo pinto is a mixed rice-and-bean dish, not two plain sides simply placed next to one another.

It is commonly served at breakfast, often with eggs, cheese, plantain or tortillas, but those are accompaniments and can vary by meal. The base itself may be meat-free, yet added stock, sauces or cooking fat can change that. The name means “painted rooster,” a reference to the mottled appearance of rice and beans, not to poultry in the recipe. This distinction can help prevent diners from assuming that the dish contains chicken. The portion may appear as a side or as the central part of a larger breakfast plate.

How it's served

Serve hot, with the rice and beans mixed throughout. Keep eggs, cheese, plantain and other sides distinct in the description. If a sauce is used for seasoning, identify it where its ingredients matter.

Describe it as Costa Rican rice and beans cooked together with aromatics. Confirm the bean, sauce, stock and cooking fat before making vegetarian or allergen claims.

Typical ingredients

Menuella Taste: taste the world with friends

Menuella Taste

Your food passport. Mark every dish you have tried, collect a stamp for each country and share it with friends.

Mark it as tasted in Menuella Taste

Frequently asked questions

What is Gallo Pinto?: Costa Rican rice and beans mixed and pan-fried with aromatics.
Where does Gallo Pinto come from?: Gallo Pinto — country of origin: Costa Rica.
What is Gallo Pinto made of?: Rice, black bean, onion, green bell pepper, coriander, Worcestershire sauce.
Which allergens does Gallo Pinto contain?: Contains fish and fish products. Contains soybeans and soybean products.
What is Gallo Pinto also known as?: Gallo Pinto Costarricense.
How do you pronounce Gallo Pinto?: Gallo pinto (Spanish, Costa Rica) is pronounced /ˈɡaʝo ˈpinto/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.