Casado is Costa Rica’s most representative lunch main dish, a hearty meal that brings together rice, beans, ripe plantain, picadillo, salad, and a choice of protein.
Its name refers to the joining of varied ingredients on a single plate, like a marriage of flavors, and it’s a staple at sodas throughout the country.
Print
Costa Rican Casado
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Costa Rican
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked white rice
- 1 cup of cooked black beans
- 2 ripe plantains
- 400 g of beef, chicken, or fish, of choice (about 14 oz)
- 2 cups of cabbage, shredded
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup of potato or green bean picadillo (optional) (optional)
- Oil, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Cook the protein, season the chosen beef, chicken, or fish with salt and pepper, and pan-sear or fry until fully cooked.
- Fry the plantain, slice the ripe plantains and fry them in oil until golden.
- Make the salad, combine the shredded cabbage with the tomato slices, seasoning with salt and a splash of oil.
- Heat the rice and beans, heat the white rice and black beans separately.
- Assemble the plate, on a large plate, arrange the rice, beans, fried plantain, salad, picadillo, and chosen protein, each in its own portion.
- Serve, serve it all together, freshly prepared.
Tips for getting it right
- Cooking each component separately lets you build a neat plate, with each ingredient in its place.
- The ripe plantain should be well browned to achieve casado’s characteristic sweet contrast.
- The protein can be varied to taste: beef, chicken, fish, or pork are the most common options.
- Adding a vegetable picadillo brings extra variety and color to the plate.
Traditional variations
- Some sodas add pasta as an extra side, reflecting Italian influence on Costa Rican cuisine.
- The picadillo can vary between potato, green beans, arracacha, or chayote, depending on season and region.
How to serve
Casado is served for lunch or dinner, with each component arranged separately on the same plate.
It’s the most popular main dish at Costa Rican sodas, ideal for eating well at an affordable price.
Recommended sides
- Salsa Lizano
- Lime
Did you know?
Casado is a mestizo dish that combines Costa Rican cuisine’s three main influences: European, indigenous, and African.
Its popularity grew exponentially starting in the 1960s, and today it’s an essential classic at sodas throughout the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's said the name refers to the joining of varied ingredients on a single plate, like a kind of marriage of flavors.
The most common options are beef, chicken, fish, or pork, depending on each diner's preference.
It's the name for the country's typical small family-run restaurants, where casado is one of the most popular orders.
Yes, some versions include pasta as an extra side, reflecting Italian influence on Costa Rican cuisine.
