Want to liven up your weeknight meals?
Cuban cuisine is the perfect way, with its vibrant spices and mouthwatering flavor combinations. Influenced by Spanish, African, and Caribbean methods, Cuban food offers a tempting blend of tastes.
Here are 24 recipes that will bring the excitement of Cuba to your own kitchen!
1. Cuban Chicken With Yellow Rice
Are you trying to find a meal that will really fill you up? This Cuban chicken and yellow rice recipe is just what you need!
This meal, which can be prepared in 40 minutes, comes together quickly. The best part is that you likely already have the ingredients in your cupboard.
The other name for this dish is arroz con pollo. If you are looking for moist yellow rice covered with seasoned and seared chicken breasts, keep this in mind. Remember to add red peppers, green peas, and chorizo slices (if desired) to make the dish even more lively and tasty.
2. Cuban Frita
If you are looking for a tasty burger that you can eat any time, this Cuban frita will do the trick!But be warned: this is not your average burger.
Envision a well-seasoned patty seasoned with chorizo butter and paprika.Now, take it to the next level by putting fried potato strings on top of the patty.Every bite of this burger will be perfectly crunchy, I am certain.
3. Tamal en Cazuela
This tamal en cazuela dish will call to mind the simple joys of home cooking. A comforting fragrance will fill your kitchen.
Cubans prepare a version of polenta in this meal. The soft, creamy cornmeal blend will make you swoon. Pork ribs, fresh parsley, and lime wedges will enhance the flavors even more.
For variations on this meal, you can use chicken or seafood rather than pork.
4. Vaca Frita
The classic Cuban meal ropa vieja and vaca frita are related, it is believed. Although both meals use shredded beef, they use distinct cooking methods.
Vaca frita involves tender shredded beef that is crispy on the outside. Making mojo marinade is also an important process for giving the meat intense flavors.
To sum it up, citrusy and garlicky flavors define vaca frita. The crunchy texture also earns an extra point.
Enjoy a traditional Cuban supper by serving it with white rice and black beans!
5. Tostones
Tostones are plantain slices that must be smashed, seasoned with sea salt, and fried (twice). Only a few items—green plantains, salt, and vegetable oil—are required to prepare these snacks right away.
Add your favorite dipping sauce to the tostones for an even more delectable bite!
6. Arroz Congri
This Cuban meal might not be the most visually beautiful, but it is an intriguing dish! I adore the scent, texture, and taste produced by the black beans, vegetables, bacon, and spices. Ropa vieja is beautifully complemented by this flavorful blend of rice and black.
You may also have it as a vegetarian main dish with a side salad.
7. Deviled Crab Croquettes
These deviled crab croquettes will appeal to people who enjoy hot food.
The dish’s name suggests that it has a spicy crab filling.The filling is wrapped in bread dough, then it is submerged in seasoned crumbs, flour, and eggs.The final step involves frying them until they are golden, giving them a crunchy exterior and a soft, delectable interior.
8. Ropa Vieja
One of the national dishes of Cuba, ropa vieja, is a terrific place to start when learning about Cuban cuisine. This savory Latin meal is bursting with flavor because of the shredded beef and veggies. The dish also has a subtle kick from the olives and capers.
Flank steak is typically used to prepare this dish. However, because this cut does not hold up well to low and slow cooking, you should use chuck steak instead. The chuck steak will produce a delicious, soft, and moist shredded beef for your ropa vieja when cut correctly.
9. Cuban Lentil Soup
A warm bowl of brown lentils and vegetables makes up Cuban lentil soup.
This is one of my favorite meals to eat when it gets cold outside! It has warm and smokey flavors.
In addition, it is prepared in just one pot, so there is less mess in the kitchen to clean up. Serve warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls with the soup for dunking!
10. Cuban Breaded Steak
Are you craving some delicious fried chicken? You need this Cuban breaded steak! This is much more than your average fried chicken steak.
This dish owes its amazing flavors to the tangy marinade which is made with orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, and Cuban seasonings. Another crucial step is to dredge the marinated pork in flour, egg whites, and seasoned cracker crumbs. Fry the meat until golden, and you’ll have a great lunch or dinner!
11. Cuban Mojo Pot Roast
With the herby, citrusy, and garlicky mojo sauce, this Cuban mojo pot roast is a great summer beef dish!
Try including potatoes and carrots to provide flavor and texture. Since it is a one-pan dish, less work is required in the kitchen. However, it will still give a satisfying meal for everyone.
Consider adding some dinner rolls to absorb the delectable sauce! Citrus fruits such as grapefruit or lime juice are excellent substitutes if you lack sour oranges, the traditional mojo sauce ingredient.
12. Cuban Papas Rellenas
Papas rellenas are a popular Cuban snack. These fried potato balls are packed with meat and a variety of spices! A flavorful ground beef mixture is revealed when you take a bite.
To make a crunchy crust, coat the potato balls in crumbs and eggs (double dredge them!).
If you like potato dishes, think about making an additional batch of these joyful snacks. They will go fast!
13. Cuban Picadillo
Ground beef, ground pork, or a combination of the two are used to make Cuban-style picadillo, a home-style meal. This recipe uses ground beef, but you can use pig if you like.
Capers, olives, and raisins enhance Cuban picadillo in a unique way. The dish also has layers of flavors that come from tomato sauce and a number of spices.
To go with these flavors, try some sweet plantains or black beans. Top with fried eggs to provide more protein.
14. Lechon Asado
The mojo marinade gives Cuban-style roast pork, also referred to as lechon asado, its tantalizing flavor. Lots of garlic, cumin, and oregano go into this marinade. The tangy citrus liquids enhance the flavor of the roasted meat.
Sandwiches are a terrific way to use any leftover lechon asado. Remember to shred the pig, add some mojo sauce, and sliced onions to your sandwich.
15. Huevos Habaneros
With these flavorful huevos habaneros, start your day with a traditional Cuban breakfast. A spicy tomato sauce surrounds this Havana-style egg dish. Serve with fried plantains and grilled chorizo for a zesty Cuban breakfast!
When you want to try a great breakfast dish, this is the perfect recipe to spice things up!
16. Cubano Sandwich
A traditional Cuban pairing is pork in a sandwich. The Cubano sandwich is so well-known that it even takes center stage in movies. The film “Chef” serves as a prime example of its popularity.
It is layered with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on top of mojo-marinated pork. Salami is used in other variations as well.
The bread is then pressed after all of the ingredients have been added, allowing the flavors to blend in every bite.
Since it goes so well with chips, serve it with some!
17. Elena Ruz Sandwich
The Elena Ruz sandwich demonstrates that sweet and savory flavors can work well together. This sandwich will be the perfect dish for a Cuban-style merienda.
The dish features cream cheese, turkey, and strawberry jam.
Picture those ingredients packed into medianoche bread that has been gently toasted. The sandwich is offered warm, but it is not pressed.
18. Cuban Chicken Noodle Soup
Are you looking for something hot to accompany your Cuban sandwiches? It could not have been better timed! This Cuban chicken noodle soup is precisely what you require!
The ultimate version of Cuban comfort food is this soup. The chicken pieces swimming in the gently spiced soup are delicious and hearty. The addition of angel hair pasta makes the dish more substantial.
You might only require half of a Cuban sandwich. I personally always want the whole sandwich!
19. Cuban Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are incredibly well-known in a number of nations.
You can’t ignore Cuba’s take on this recipe. For this recipe, cooked rice and the incredibly flavorful Cuban picadillo are used to fill the bell peppers.
The star of the dish is the beef filling, which is flavored with Latin spices, olives, and raisins. If you want a low-carb version of this dish, you can leave out the rice.
20. Cuban Shrimp Creole
This classic Cuban meal is slightly spicy and saucy.It adds warmth to your stomach and is ideal.Because the main component is shrimp, you’ll be in for a tasty seafood experience!
When served over white rice, this meal, which is cooked in a tomato-based sauce and fresh Latin spices, is ideal.
Feel free to add some bread to the sauce.You won’t be able to resist it, truly!
21. Cuba Libre
The cocktail Cuba libre honors the end of conflict and oppression in Cuba. It blends rum, cola, and a wedge of lime in a classic combination.
The original rum used was Bacardi Carta de Oro. However, unless you desire the genuine flavor, any type of rum should work.
Cuba libre is a drink with a light and ageless flavor that has the same punch as a glass of wine. It makes the perfect cocktail for a girl’s night out or party!
22. Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
You’ll end up with slow-cooked pulled pork with citrus and garlic notes from this recipe. Because a slow cooker handles the majority of the work, it’s the easiest way to prepare pork.
In addition, this recipe is adaptable. Use it to top your nacho party or serve it on a bed of white rice for a filling Cuban meal.
Again, for producing this mouthwatering dish, the zesty and well-spiced mojo sauce will serve as your secret weapon. It will serve as your marinade, and also be a sauce or dip for you to enjoy.
23. Pulpeta
Ground beef, onions, vinegar, eggs, breadcrumbs, tomatoes, wine, and spices are combined to create pulpeta, a Cuban-style meatloaf. The genuine pulpeta is gently simmered in a flavorful Cuban-style sauce after being seared rather than baked. Hard-boiled eggs are occasionally added to this meatloaf.
I’m not sure if the eggs are required to make the dish more visually appealing or filling. But one thing is certain: this meatloaf has more flavor than its American counterpart!