Give your leftovers a delicious makeover with this super easy Adobo Rice Recipe!
If you’re anything like me, you love the idea of leftovers but rarely go back to them. What’s odd is that I’ll put away my leftovers with the intent to enjoy them the next day. But then the next day arrives, and I don’t feel like eating the same thing again!
It’s a conundrum that plagues many of us. We all hate wasting food, but that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same thing for several days. This is why it’s so great when I can find a recipe that gives leftovers a second life.
Many cultures utilize their leftovers to make new dishes, and adobo rice is one of those that originated in the Philippines. This recipe takes a cue from Filipinos by frying up leftover adobo pork (or adobo chicken) and day-old rice. Throw in some chopped garlic and green onions, and you will have a remixed meal that’s just as delicious!
Is Adobo Rice Healthy?
Whether you use adobo pork or adobo chicken, both are fairly lean proteins. The other leftover ingredient is rice, which contains iron, selenium, and manganese. Overall, this recipe is modest in calories and fat content. By the way, vegetarians, this recipe also works with tofu adobo!
Waste Not, Want Not
If you were like me growing up, your parents would remind you of the “hungry children starving in other countries.” While that’s true, food waste is an even bigger problem in the U.S. Billions of pounds of perfectly good food end up in the trash every year.
Knowing that you can easily turn one meal into two or possibly three is a positive change you can make to food waste. Smart meal planning and remixing your leftovers saves money by stretching your groceries further. Most importantly, cooking recipes that utilize leftovers is a mindful practice that will help us all appreciate what we have.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
This recipe already uses leftovers, so it’s important to ensure they’re not more than 1 or 2 days old. Once cooked, allow any leftover adobo rice to cool to room temperature and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Adobo rice can easily be a main course by itself, but it’s also a delicious side paired with Fried Chicken Wings, Slow-Cooker Pork Ribs, or any other meat you prefer. You can also serve a nice salad as a side (such as this Healthy Broccoli Salad) or tangy Mexican Coleslaw to balance the adobo rice’s rich flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup shredded leftover chicken or pork adobo
- 2 cups day-old cooked white rice grains separated
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant.
- Stir in the shredded leftover adobo meat and cook until heated through, allowing any sauce to coat the meat.
- Add the day-old rice to the skillet and stir-fry, ensuring the rice is well mixed with the adobo and heated thoroughly. Season with salt to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions if using, and serve the adobo rice warm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment