Casado

About This Recipe

Casado — meaning 'married man' in Spanish — is Costa Rica's staple lunch plate, a balanced, wholesome meal eaten daily across the country. The name suggests what a married man would come home to eat: a complete, satisfying meal of rice, black beans, fresh cabbage salad, sweet fried plantains (plátano maduro), and a protein — grilled chicken, beef, fish, pork chop, or eggs. All components are cooked separately and served together on one plate, the rice and beans never mixed (unlike gallo pinto). Casado represents the democratic, nourishing approach to food that defines Costa Rican cuisine: simple ingredients, maximum satisfaction, balanced nutrition.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 400 gwhite rice(cooked)
• 400 gcanned black beans(drained, or home-cooked)
• 1 mediumonion(half diced for beans, half for salad)
• 3 clovesgarlic(minced)
• 2 ripeplantains(peeled, sliced diagonally)
• 4chicken breasts or thighs(or protein of choice)
• 2 cupswhite cabbage(finely shredded)
• 1 mediumcarrot(grated)
• 2 tbspwhite vinegar or lime juice
• Juice of 1 limefor seasoning chicken
• 1 tspground cumin
• Salt and oilas needed

Instructions

1. 1

   Season and cook the protein

   Rub chicken with lime juice, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper. Grill, pan-fry, or bake at 200°C until cooked through (25–30 minutes for thighs). Rest 5 minutes before serving.

2. 2

   Cook the beans

   Sauté diced onion in a little oil until soft. Add garlic, then black beans with a splash of water. Season with salt and cumin. Simmer 10 minutes until thick and saucy.

   Good beans are the heart of casado — season them assertively and let them reduce to a thick, rich consistency.

3. 3

   Fry the plantains

   Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry plantain slices 2–3 minutes per side until golden and caramelised. Drain on paper towels.

4. 4

   Make the cabbage salad

   Toss shredded cabbage and grated carrot with vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of oil. Taste and adjust.

5. 5

   Plate and serve

   Arrange each component separately on a large plate: rice, beans, cabbage salad, plantains, and protein side by side. Serve with sliced tomato and a wedge of lime.

Variations

• •

  Use fried tilapia or sea bass for a coastal version.

• •

  Substitute white rice with arroz con leche for a fusion approach.

• •

  Make a vegetarian casado with a fried egg and extra beans.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Each component stores separately in the fridge for 3 days. Assemble fresh for best presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions