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    Crumb-Snatched » Cape Verdean Recipes

    Published: Jun 13, 2021 · Modified: Nov 17, 2022 by Crystal DaCruz This post may contain affiliate links.

    Arroz’d Fava – Cape Verdean Style Rice with Lima Beans Recipe

    538 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Arroz’d fava (rice with lima beans) is a staple dish in Cape Verdean cuisine. This simple rice recipe is made from long-grain white rice and lima beans cooked with bouillon, bay leaves, salt and pepper. This simple yet perfectly seasoned side dish goes well with any main course, and requires only one-pot and less than 30 minutes!

    Looking for an even simpler version of this dish without the lima beans? Check out this simpler version of seasoned white rice!

    Close up photo of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a bowl

    Arroz’d fava is my grandmother’s most simple version of arroz branco (white rice). I don’t think I can recall one instance where she served white rice without seasoning or some type of bean or pea. While I love a good pot of plain white rice, Mama’s just not that basic. If you didn’t like lima beans, you better have learned to pick them out!

    Fava beans vs. lima beans:

    Arroz’d fava is Criolu for “rice with fava beans“. When Cape Verdeans say fava in the U.S., they’re usually referring to lima beans. I know it’s tricky, but my guess is that lima beans more closely resemble the ‘fava’ beans grown in Cape Verde and not the actual fava beans that are sold in the U.S.

    Beans that are labeled ‘fava beans’ in the U.S. are used a lot in Portuguese cooking. These marked ‘fava beans’ are not what you want to use for this dish, though! Portuguese fava beans are larger and darker with a thicker shell than limas. You’ll want to use either fordhook limas or baby limas for this version of arroz’d fava.

    Close up photo of frozen Fordhook lima beans in a glass bowl
    Frozen fordhook lima beans

    What lima beans to use for Arroz’d Fava:

    To make this whole lima bean/fava bean thing even more complicated, there are many varieties of lima beans! Frozen fordhook lima beans are what you want for this recipe but if you can’t find fordhook, baby lima beans can also be used.

    Normally, my family uses dried beans when we cook Cape Verdean food. For this recipe though, my grandmother always uses frozen lima beans. She’s not usually one to take shortcuts, but frozen lima beans that are green are just easier to find in in stores. Using frozen rather than dried also shortens the cooking time, which I’m not mad at!

    You may be wondering if you can used canned baby lima beans in place of the frozen. Go right head! I haven’t used canned lima beans to make arroz’d fava, but you certainly can. Just follow the recipe instructions exactly how they are.

    Ingredients: Cape Verdean-Style Rice with Lima Beans

    • Long grain white rice: you can use parboiled long-grain white rice or jasmine rice.
    • Frozen fordhook lima beans: if you can’t find fordhook limas, you can use baby limas. Canned beans work too.
    • Aromatics: chopped onion, crushed garlic and 1 bay leaf
    • Seasonings: extra large bouillon cube, kosher salt, black pepper
    • Extra-virgin olive oil
    • Water: 3 cups, no more, no less! You can substitute chicken stock, if you wish. Just eliminate the bouillon and reduce the amount of the salt if you do, otherwise your rice may be over-seasoned.
    Overhead shot of ingredients for Cape Verdean style rice with lima beans: long grain white rice, extra-virgin olive oil, chopped onions, bay leaf, extra large bouillon cube, frozen fordhook lima beans, crushed garlic and salt

    How to cook Cape Verdean-Style Rice with Lima Beans:

    Step 1: Saute the aromatics

    You’ll start off by heating 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a 3 quart saucepan or in a dutch oven, over medium/high heat. Add the onions, garlic, bouillon cube and bay leaf. Cook until the onions become fragrant and translucent (1-2 minutes). Use a wooden spoon to break up the bouillon cube as the onions cook.

    sauteed onions, bouillon cube and bay leaf in a pan in preparation for Cape Verdean style rice with lima beans

    Step 2: Bring water and seasonings to a boil

    Add three cups of water to the pan, and stir in the salt and pepper. Taste the water and add more salt and pepper if needed (you shouldn’t have to add any more salt). Bring the water to a boil.

    Normally when I boil water before adding the rice, I keep the lid off the pan (unless it’s a lot of water). You can cover the pan if you want to though. I leave it uncovered during the initial boil because I have a tendency to forget to about it when it’s covered!

    photo showing the reader how to prepare the water for boiling Cape Verdean style rice with lima beans

    Step 3: Add the rice and lima beans

    As soon as the water starts boiling, add the lima beans to the pot. Rinse and drain the rice thoroughly, then add it to the pot immediately. Give the pot a final stir, then cover the pot with a lid and turn the flame down very low.

    photo showing the reader how to prepare the water for boiling Cape Verdean style rice with lima beans

    Step 4: Cook the rice and let it rest

    Let the rice cook over a very low flame for 20 minutes. Once 20 minutes has passed, uncover the rice and use a fork to taste it. The water should be fully evaporated. If you’re satisfied with the texture, turn the flame off, cover the pot with a lid again, and let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes.

    For firm rice, 20 minutes of cooking time is perfect. For softer rice, add 5 minutes to the cooking time. Remember to let your rice rest covered once you’re satisfied with the texture.

    Close up of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a pan

    Step 5: Fluff the rice and serve!

    Once the rice has rested, discard the bay leaf and fluff the rice. Gently toss the rice once or twice with a large spoon to distribute the lima beans. Transfer the rice to a serving dish or serve it from the pot.

    Close up of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a pan

    Arroz’d fava can be served with just about any meat or seafood dish. It also re-heats well in a microwave or steamer. Try tossing it in a frying pan the next morning, and serving with a fried egg as part of a traditional Cape Verdean breakfast!

    Close up photo of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a bowl

    Just a little close-up of this masterpiece! You’ll notice some variations in color of the lima beans, this is perfectly normal!

    Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a bowl

    Look at how those grains of rice are perfectly separated and don’t lump together! This rice was cooked for 20 minutes, the grains of rice are tender but not overly soft or mushy!

    Close up photo of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a bowl

    Tips and Substitutions

    • Baby lima beans are a great substitute if you can’t locate fordhook lima beans. You can use canned limas in place of frozen. I don’t use dried lima beans for this dish because it can be hard to find green ones. If you can locate them and want to use them, you’ll have to cook them before adding the rice otherwise they’ll be hard.
    • Use parboiled long-grain or jasmine rice.
    • Use chicken broth or stock instead of plain water for extra flavor (cut the bouillon and reduce the salt if you do this).
    • Leave out lima beans and reduce the amount of water by half of a cup, for perfectly plain white rice
    • Inspect the rice thoroughly for pebbles or discolored grains before rinsing.
    • Make sure to thoroughly rinse and drain(not soak) the rice just before adding it to the pot.
    • Minced garlic can be used instead of crushed – use the same measurement.
    • Don’t disturb the rice while it’s cooking.
    • Let the rice rest and fluff it with a fork!

    Other recipes you’ll love:

    • Pigeon Peas and Rice (Arroz con Gandules Recipe)
    • Cape Verdean Rice with Tuna (Arroz com Atum)
    • How to Perfectly Season White Rice

     

    Close up photo of Cape Verdean style white rice with lima beans in a bowl

    Arroz'd Fava - Cape Verdean Style Rice with Lima Beans

    Crystal DaCruz
    Arroz'd fava (rice with lima beans) is a staple dish in Cape Verdean cuisine. This simple rice recipe is made from long-grain white rice and lima beans cooked with bouillon, bay leaves, salt and pepper. This simple yet perfectly seasoned side dish goes well with any main course, and requires only one-pot and less than 30 minutes!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine Cape Verdean
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 313 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
    • 1 small onion chopped
    • 1 tablespoon garlic crushed
    • 1 bouillon cube large
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
    • pinch black pepper
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 cup frozen lima beans
    • 2 cups long-grain white rice

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, bouillon and bay leaf. Let cook for 1-2 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Use a wooden spoon to break up the bouillon cube as the onions cook.
    • Add 3 cups of water with the salt and pepper, and bring to a boil (you don't need to cover the pot for this step). Once the water starts boiling, taste it and add more salt/pepper if needed. 
    • As soon as the water boils, add the lima beans to the pot. Rinse and drain the rice right before adding it in with the lima beans and give a final stir, let the water start boiling again. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the flame down to the lowest setting. 
    •  Let the rice cook for 20 minutes. For softer/fluffier rice, add 5 minutes to the cooking time. Do not disturb the rice while it is cooking. Once you're satisfied with the texture of the rice, turn the flame off, re-cover the pot with the lid, and let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes.
    •  Once the rice has rested, discard the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork. Gently toss the rice once or twice with a large spoon to distribute the lima beans and then serve.

    Notes

    • Baby lima beans are a great substitute if you can't locate fordhook lima beans
    • Use parboiled long-grain or jasmine rice
    • Inspect the rice thoroughly for pebbles and discolored grains before rinsing
    • Make sure to thoroughly rinse and drain (not soak) the rice just before adding it to the pot
    • Don't disturb the rice while it's cooking
    • Let the rice rest and fluff it with a fork!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0.03mgSodium: 572mgPotassium: 229mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    538 shares

    About Crystal DaCruz

    Crystal DaCruz is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Crumb-Snatched. Since 2019 she's been sharing recipes from Cape Verde and other cultures with a shared Portuguese language or similar cuisines.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marta says

      June 16, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the detailed description on which beans to use. My family had never had fava OR lima beans before and they loved it!

       
      Reply
    2. Taneisha says

      June 19, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      In our household we’re so use to rotating through the same rice dishes, this was a great way to switch it up and add come Cape Verdean cuisine into our traditional Jamaican home!! Thank you!

       
      Reply
    3. Crystal says

      June 20, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      This rice was soooo fragrant! Ate this with some baked chicken. The next day, I ate the rice by itself. So so good!

       
      Reply
    4. Carita says

      June 20, 2021 at 11:47 pm

      5 stars
      I love trying your traditional CV recipes and this rice did not disappoint! I haven’t had lime beans in a long time and this was such a taste of notaliga that I didn’t know I needed. Will for sure make this again and again!

       
      Reply
    5. Karla says

      June 21, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      My plan on this dish was to make it and use it as a side dish. However, we had it more of a main dish the first night by adding some leftover garlic chicken tossed into it. It was so good! I love fava beans and tend to lean towards them as a go-to veggie. I did also double the recipe so that we could eat it again the next day as part of our lunch with the addition of a side salad.

       
      Reply
    6. Robin says

      June 22, 2021 at 2:24 am

      5 stars
      I’m always looking for new vegan side dishes and this one was truly special.

       
      Reply
    7. Jessica says

      June 22, 2021 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      I hadn’t had Lima beans in years so I decided to try this to see if I liked them. This was SO GOOD! I’ll definitely be making this dish again. Thanks for reminding me I actually like Lima beans!!!

       
      Reply
    8. Jessica says

      June 22, 2021 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      I hadn’t had Lima beans in years so I decided to try this to see if I liked them. This was SO GOOD! I’ll definitely be making this again. Thanks for reminding me I actually like Lima beans!!!

       
      Reply
    9. Chenée says

      June 22, 2021 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      I used canned lime beans and it was so good! Definitely a delicious and hearty side dish.

       
      Reply
    10. Britney Brown says

      June 22, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a quick and easy recipe that was super flavorful! I ate this with some chicken and it was so delicious!

       
      Reply
    11. Tamara says

      June 22, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Such an amazing dish to either have as a side, or a stand alone meal! We ate it alongside some roasted pork I already made. It was full of flavor, and definitely filling. I will be adding this to our dinner rotation!

       
      Reply
    12. Lilly says

      June 22, 2021 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      I am always looking for new ways to incorporate lima beans into my diet! I am so happy I found this recipe! The rice was so fluffy and the lima beans added a nice creamy touch! I will definitely be making this again!

       
      Reply
    13. Jen says

      June 23, 2021 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for the additional information about lime beans and fava beans, it was really helpful. My family really enjoyed the dish and it reminded us of Nigerian fried rice but with less veggies. Yum!

       
      Reply
    14. Natalie says

      July 28, 2021 at 9:48 pm

      5 stars
      Wow so refreshing to find your website! I’m making this tonight and thought to look on pinterest to see if I can “spice it up” a bit. But coming across your page solidified that doing it the cv way is just right lol and to see that we make I the same way further pushed me in the right direction. Love your page. I’ll definitely be coming back!

       
      Reply
    15. Lisa Monteiro G. says

      December 05, 2021 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      The best things in life are so simple. This should be in everyone’s weekly rotation. Thanks for pulling back to mi Mamai’s house again. Obrigado!

       
      Reply
    16. Dege says

      February 11, 2024 at 5:28 pm

      I wanted a taste of home and thought of my grandma’s
      Lima bean and rice dish. It was great to have your recipe as a guide. I used canned Lima for this first time around, and the beans did not turn to mush thankfully. Thank you this Kreyol is super satisfied. 🇭🇹

       
      Reply

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    Hello, I'm Crystal!

    I’m bringing Cape Verdean comfort food to the table! This is where I share easy-to-follow recipes from Cape Verde and cultures with similar cuisines!

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    Hello, I'm Crystal!

    I’m bringing Cape Verdean comfort food to the table! This is where I share easy-to-follow recipes from Cape Verde and cultures with similar cuisines!

    More about me →

    Recipes We Love

    • Close up of golden flaky Cape Verdean pastel that has been bitten to show flaky seasoned tuna on the inside.
      Cape Verdean Pastel Recipe – Pastel de Atum
    • shrimp mozambique shown in dish garnished with lemon and cilantro
      Traditional Shrimp Mozambique
    • Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
    • Bistec Encebollado (Steak and Onions)

    Sign up for weekly emails!

    We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

    Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

    Seasonal Recipes

    • bowl of caldo verde in a white bowl
      Easy Caldo Verde Recipe (Portuguese Soup with Greens)
    • dutch-oven chili in a white bowl garnished with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, sour cream, red chili flakes and sliced jalapeños.
      Easy Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
    • Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with Sweet-Bread Croutons
    • Bowl of Cape Verdean canja surrounded by parsley, a cloth napkin and a cold beverage
      Canja – Cape Verdean Chicken Soup Recipe

    Top Recipes

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