Bandeja paisa is Colombia’s generous Andean platter, bringing together beans, rice, meat, egg, plantain, avocado, and arepa in one satisfying meal.
The components are cooked separately so each keeps its character: creamy beans, fluffy rice, crisp pork, a runny egg, and sweet fried plantain.
Start the beans and rice ahead of time and cook the final components while they stay warm. The platter is easiest when everything is ready to assemble at once.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange each portion with beans, rice, ground beef, chicharron, egg, plantain, avocado, and arepa. Add hogao or lime at the table.
Recipe Notes
Use canned beans for a quicker version. Store components separately for up to 3 days and reheat before assembling.
Colombian Bandeja Paisa
A generous Colombian platter of red beans, rice, beef, chicharron, fried egg, plantain, avocado, and arepa.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large skillet
- Small skillet
- Rice cooker or saucepan
- Chef’s knife
Ingredients
Beans, Rice, and Meat
- 2 cups cooked red beans with a little cooking liquid
- 2 cups cooked white rice warm
- 1 lb ground beef seasoned and browned
- 1/2 lb pork belly cut into cubes
- 1 medium tomato chopped for hogao
- 1/2 cup scallions sliced
Toppings
- 2 large ripe plantains sliced
- 4 large eggs fried
- 1 medium avocado sliced
- 4 pieces arepas warm
- 2 tbsp neutral oil for frying plantains and eggs
Instructions
Prepare the Components:
- Warm the beans in a saucepan with the tomato and scallions until creamy and hot. Season to taste.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet until cooked through. Keep the rice warm.
Cook the Pork and Plantains:
- Cook the pork belly in a dry skillet over medium heat until the fat renders and the pieces are crisp on the outside.
- Fry the plantain slices in oil until golden on both sides.
Fry the Eggs and Assemble:
- Fry the eggs until the whites are set and the yolks remain runny.
- Arrange beans, rice, beef, pork, plantain, egg, avocado, and arepa on each platter. Serve hot.
Notes
- Prepare components separately for the best textures.
- Canned beans make the dish practical on a weeknight.
- Serve immediately after assembling.
Nutrition
Calories: 920kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 48gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 290mgSodium: 1040mgFiber: 13gSugar: 17g