la bandera recipe.

 

La Bandera Dominicana (Dominican Flag Meal)

A complete Dominican lunch plate made with white rice, stewed beans, and savory stewed chicken or beef. It is colorful, filling, and represents the national pride of the Dominican Republic.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a balanced, flavorful everyday meal eaten across the Dominican Republic.
• Uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
• You can substitute proteins easily—chicken, beef, or pork.
• Perfect for meal prep and family lunches.
• Naturally gluten-free.

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Ingredients

For the Rice

• 2 cups long grain white rice
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups water

For the Stewed Beans (Habichuelas Guisadas)

• 1 can or 1½ cups cooked red or pink beans
• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• ½ green pepper, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cilantro, chopped
• 1½ cups water

For the Stewed Chicken or Beef

• 1 lb chicken thighs or beef chunks
• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1 tbsp Dominican sofrito (optional)
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup water

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Instructions

1. Cook the Rice

1. Heat oil in a pot.
2. Add rice and salt, stir 1 minute.
3. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 15–18 minutes until fluffy.

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2. Make the Stewed Beans

1. Heat oil in a saucepan.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, pepper, and tomato for 3–4 minutes.
3. Add beans, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in water and simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.
5. Stir in cilantro at the end.

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3. Cook the Stewed Chicken/Beef

1. Season meat with salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, sofrito, and tomato.
2. Heat oil in a pan, brown the meat for 4–5 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and water.
4. Simmer 20 minutes (chicken) or 45–60 minutes (beef) until tender.
5. Add bell peppers and onions; cook 5 more minutes.

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Serving La Bandera

Serve the plate in the traditional Dominican style:

• 🍚 White rice at the base
• 🍲 Stewed beans spooned over or served on the side
• 🍗 Stewed chicken or beef
• 🥗 Add a simple salad (lettuce, tomato, red onion, lime)
• 🍌 Optionally serve with fried plantains or avocado slices

This creates the colors of the Dominican flag — hence the name!

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FAQs

1. What meat is traditionally used in La Bandera?

Most commonly pollo guisado (stewed chicken) or carne guisada (stewed beef).

2. Can I use canned beans?

Yes! Canned red/pink beans work perfectly.

3. What type of rice is best?

Long-grain white rice is traditional and fluffy.

4. Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes — skip the meat and double the beans, or serve with Dominican-style sautéed eggplant.

5. Is La Bandera spicy?

No, it is mild and family-friendly.

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5 Similar Recipes : 

1. Pollo Guisado (Dominican Stewed Chicken)
2. Mangu (Mashed Plantains)
3. Crispy Tostones (Twice-Fried Plantains)
4. Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
5. Pasteles (Puerto Rican Plantain Parcels)