Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1166 · Casado

Casado, and where to source it

Casado — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Casado Costa Rican 5best2buy.com

Fry the plantain when it is black-ripe so the sugars caramelize into soft, sweet maduros, since an underripe plantain stays starchy and bland. Everything on a casado is cooked separately and plated together, so time the components to land warm at once.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep30 min
Cook30 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineCosta Rican
Cost$$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
White rice
Plain long-grain rice cooked with a little garlic as the plate's base.
2 cups
Local / market
Black beans
Simmered soft and seasoned, served in their own pot liquor.
2 cups cooked
Local / market
Ripe plantain
Black-ripe plantains fried into sweet, soft maduros.
2
Source it →
Chicken or beef
A grilled or braised protein anchors the plate.
1 lb
Source it →
Cabbage and tomato
Shredded into a simple fresh salad with lime.
2 cups, 2 tomatoes
Local / market
Salsa Lizano
The Costa Rican sauce that seasons the beans and the plate.
2 tbsp
Local / market
Sweet pepper and onion
Diced into the beans and rice for the local flavor base.
1 pepper, 1 onion
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerNo-cook
The Method
  1. Cook the riceSaute a little garlic and onion, add the rice and water, and steam until fluffy.
  2. Season the beansSimmer the black beans with sweet pepper, onion, and a splash of Salsa Lizano until flavorful and slightly soupy.
  3. Fry the plantainsSlice the black-ripe plantains and fry in oil until caramelized and soft on both sides.
  4. Cook the proteinGrill or braise the chicken or beef and slice it for the plate.
  5. ComposePlate the rice, beans, maduros, protein, and a cabbage-and-tomato salad side by side, all warm.
The Toolkit

Saucepan · Skillet · Pot

Straight Answers
Can you make Casado in an air fryer? — Not needed

It’s a salad — nothing to air-fry once it’s tossed. You can crisp a topping in one, though: croutons, bacon, or chickpeas in a single layer while you build the rest.

Can you freeze Casado? — Best fresh

Not really — the vegetables and dressing turn to mush once thawed. Salads are a make-fresh thing.

Can you make Casado ahead of time? — Best fresh

Dress it just before serving — the greens wilt and brown once coated. Wash, cut, and chill the components ahead, then toss at the last minute.

Is Casado gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Casado vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

Recipe No.1166 of the collection. Browse all the recipes →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1166