Authentic Costa Rican Chifrijo Recipe
The chifrijo is arguably the most popular dish in Costa Rica- and you can easily make it right at home. This authentic recipe will take you back to your most fond Pura Vida memories.
About This Recipe
The Costa Rican chifrijo, much like its name, is a mix of several Costa Rican recipes, and it’s a beloved dish throughout the country. The word chi-frijo is a combination of two Spanish words, chicharrón (fried pork belly) and frijoles (beans). It’s not quite a soup, but also not quite a dry dish. It is, however, the perfect combination of distinctly Costa Rican flavors.
This recipe is all Costa Rica- it’s not popular anywhere else, and I have enjoyed watching people fall in love with this dish over the years. Often found on menus as a boca (or Costa Rican appetizer) this dish might be the most revered dish in all of Costa Rica (after gallo pinto, of course).
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Chifrijo can be as labor-intensive as you want it to be, but it does require making several different elements of the dish ahead of time. Because the recipe combines Costa Rican beans, Costa Rican rice, Costa Rican chimichurri, and chicharrones, this dish definitely takes some planning.
What I like to do is have the beans and chimichurri ready ahead of time, marinate the pork the day before, and start the white rice before I fry the pork. While the pork is frying I can decide to either fry my own tortilla chips or not, and then just heat up the beans and slice the avocado.
Our Most Popular Costa Rican Recipes:
- Traditional Costa Rican Gallo Pinto Recipe
- Costa Rican Tres Leches Recipe
- Super Easy and Delicious Costa Rican Arroz con Pollo Recipe
- Costa Rican Tamales Recipe
- Delightful Baked Costa Rican Empanadas de Chiverre
- Garbanzo Bean Soup Recipe
Costa Rican Chifrijo Recipe
(Printable Recipe Below)
Ingredients:
- Costa Rican White Rice, hot
- Costa Rican red beans with broth, hot (use this black beans recipe except with kidney beans)
- Costa Rican chicharrones, hot
- Costa Rican chimichurri (similar to pico de gallo)
- ripe avocado (for garnish)
- tortilla chips (for garnish)
- lime (for serving)
Instructions:
If you prepare each part of the dish according to the recipes above, you’ll have everything prepped and ready. From there, you can just serve up the chifrijo.
In a bowl, place the white rice. On top, add the beans and broth. In the center of the rice and beans mixture, add your chimichurri (pico de gallo). Then add your pieces of chicharron. Garnish with ripe avocado slices and fried corn tortillas. Garnish with freshly squeezed lime juice. Serve with Salsa Lizano if desired.
ALSO READ: What Is Salsa Lizano From Costa Rica
Substitutions
You can use kidney beans from a can for this recipe, and it makes it a lot faster to prepare. I usually heat the can of beans on low for about 10 minutes and then mix in about a teaspoon of Salsa Lizano to give the beans a bit more flavor than just from the can.
You can also use microwaved or minute rice for this recipe. Some people prefer brown rice.
Some people substitute the packaged pork rinds for the homemade ones, but I figure if you are going to do that, just order a pizza.
SEE ALSO: All our Costa Rican appetizer recipes
Variations
This recipe is very traditional, and people don’t mess with it much at all. The biggest variation I have seen is to use black beans instead of red. Scandalous! ;)
This is a very popular Costa Rican menu item with vegetarians and vegans– just ask for it to be prepared without chicharron for a healthy and balanced meal sans meat!
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Serving Suggestions
This is generally a boca (which is like an appetizer on steroids) or a snack/informal food. It’s not really one that you serve as a meal in Costa Rica.
However, I absolutely serve it as a meal, along with a green salad and a refreshing fruit drink or Imperial. Don’t forget the Tres Leches cake for dessert!
Chifrijo FAQ
How much does chifrijo cost in Costa Rica?
I would say the cost ranges from about 3,500 colones ($7) for a small bowl to about 6,000 colones ($10) for a larger portion at a fancier restaurant.
Where can I find the best chifrijo in Costa Rica?
There are so so so many places. Off the top of my head, I can say I had a great one at Soda La Parada in La Fortuna. I adore the one at La Guardia Bar in San Ramon as well.
Chifrijo Printable Recipe
Costa Rican Chifrijo Recipe
This traditional Costa Rican chifrijo combines white rice, red beans, chimichurri sauce, freshly fried chicharrones, avocado slices and tortilla chips to make one of the most delightful and popular Costa Rican recipes of all time.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Costa Rican White Rice, hot
- 1/2 cup Costa Rican red beans (kidney) with broth, hot
- 1/2 cup Costa Rican chicharrones, hot
- 1/4 cup Costa Rican chimichurri (similar to pico de gallo)
- 2 slices ripe avocado (for garnish)
- 4-5 tortilla chips (for garnish)
- lime (for serving)
Instructions
In a bowl, place the white rice. On top, add the beans and with broth. In the center of the rice and beans mixture, add your chimichurri. Then add your pieces of chicharron. Garnish with ripe avocado slices and fried corn tortillas. Garnish with freshly squeezed lime juice. Serve with Salsa Lizano if desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1313Total Fat: 103gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 82gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 1233mgCarbohydrates: 85gFiber: 31gSugar: 8gProtein: 28g
Please double-check this information with your favorite nutrition calculator.
RELATED POSTS YOU’LL LOVE:
- Costa Rican Gallo Pinto Recipe
- Costa Rican Tres Leches Recipe
- Arroz con Pollo Recipe
- Costa Rican Chorreadas Recipe
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6 Comments
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Meet Christa
I’m Christa and I help families plan stress-free, culturally immersive trips to Costa Rica. As a home chef, I also share my passion for Costa Rican food through authentic recipes. My mission is to help your family fall in love with Costa Rica through practical advice, unforgettable experiences, and delicious meals.
Oh wow, does this look delicious! I can’t wait to make this for dinner this week!
Really enjoyed this dish! It is packed full of protein and flavor!
The original chifrijo from Costa Rica does not have rice, it is just chicharron, frijoles, pico de gallo, chips and avocado
How interesting. I’ve always had it with rice, but I think it might depend on what region of the country you are in. I know some regions eat it more like a bean soup while other places serve it almost dry with rice. That’s the great part about cooking- every cook gets to put their own touch on the recipe! Pura vida! ~Christa
the taco bowl shows meat in it but the recipe does not include it – what kind of meat and how do you prepare it
It’s the chicharrones in the ingredient list and it has a link to preparation. Here is the link as well: https://puravidamoms.com/costa-rican-chicharron-recipe-chicharrones-de-cerdo/
Pura vida! ~Christa