Chifrijo
A popular Costa Rican layered dish consisting of rice, beans, pico de gallo, and crispy pork rinds (chicharrón). It's a flavorful and textural delight, often served as a tapa or appetizer.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Red kidney beans(cooked, with some broth)
- 2 cups White rice(cooked)
- 1 cup Pork rinds (chicharrón)(crushed or finely chopped)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 0.5 medium Red onion(finely diced)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 0.5 small Jalapeño(finely minced, seeds removed for less heat (optional))
- 1 tbsp Lime juice(freshly squeezed)
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil(for sautéing aromatics (optional))
- 1 clove Garlic clove(minced (optional, for beans))
- 1 stalk Celery(finely diced (optional, for beans))
- 1 stalk Green onion(finely diced (optional, for beans))
- 1 ripe Avocado(sliced, for garnish)
- as needed Tortilla chips(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Pico de Gallo: In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, finely diced red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeño (if using), lime juice, and salt. Mix well and set aside.
💡 Tip: Letting the pico de gallo sit for a few minutes allows the flavors to meld. - 2
Prepare the Beans: If your beans are not already cooked and seasoned, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, diced celery, and diced green onion (if using) and sauté until softened. Add the cooked red beans with their broth, season with salt, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
⏱️ 15 minutes💡 Tip: Some recipes use pre-cooked canned beans for convenience. Ensure they are well-seasoned. - 3
Prepare the Pork Rinds: If your pork rinds are not already crushed, place them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin or pulse them in a food processor until they are in small, bite-sized pieces. If they are very large, you can chop them further with a knife.
- 4
Assemble the Chifrijo: In individual serving bowls or a large communal bowl, layer the ingredients. Start with a base of cooked white rice, followed by a layer of the seasoned red beans (with some of their broth).
- 5
Top the beans with a generous layer of the crushed pork rinds.
💡 Tip: Ensure there's a good amount of crispy pork rinds for texture. - 6
Spoon the prepared pico de gallo over the pork rinds.
- 7
Garnish with slices of ripe avocado and serve immediately with tortilla chips on the side for scooping.
💡 Tip: Chifrijo is best enjoyed fresh while the pork rinds are still crispy.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of the pork rinds is crucial for the texture of the dish.
- ✓Adjust the amount of jalapeño in the pico de gallo to your preferred spice level.
- ✓Some variations include a drizzle of Salsa Lizano over the top.
🔄 Variations
- Use different types of beans, such as black beans or 'cubaces' (large Costa Rican beans).
- Add a layer of guacamole for extra creaminess.
- Serve with fried plantains (patacones) on the side.