byJamie Silvaon Nov 10, 2022 (updated Feb 12, 2025)
Growing up in a Cuban family, we didn’t really make a big deal about Thanksgiving or Christmas Day as much as the rest of the nation.
Although I will say, now as a Cuban-American adult, I ask (beg) for our Thanksgiving Dinner to be the ONE day we give up arroz blanco and instead enjoy sweet potato casserole along with other Thanksgiving sides.
My argument is that we enjoy Cuban food 364 days a year, so why not enjoy something different one day?! Mami doesn’t really care for the idea but obliges because she loves me.
Anyways, when it comes to the holiday season, Cuban Christmas aka Noche Buena is truly where we shine!
What is Noche Buena?
Noche Buena is Christmas Eve in Spanish which translates to “Good Night”. And that it is, my friends! As in most Cuban families, our holidays revolve around traditional Cuban food.
On Noche Buena, we cook up a storm, open gifts at midnight, party for hours into the morning, and wake up on December 25th only to enjoy leftovers. It’s a nostalgic time to see extended family you haven’t seen all year and laugh at all your childhood memories together.
As a kid, I remember my uncle would lay the pig completely sliced open on the table and marinate it with mojo criollo. The pig would then roast for hours in la caja china which is a large box, sometimes made of wood, commonly used to make tender, slow-roasted pork. IT IS DELICIOUS!
Family and food were always at the root of our Cuban traditions. This is how we create memories and stay connected with one another. It’s my favorite time of year!
Feel free to add any of the following recipes to your Christmas Dinner celebrations this year and create Cuban Christmas traditions of your own!
Experience the rich tradition of Cuban Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) with this mouthwatering Cuban Lechon Asado. The pork shoulder is marinated in a homemade garlic-citrus mojo marinade and then slow-roasted to perfection in the oven. The result is tender, juicy shredded pork with that coveted crispy pork skin, making it a delightful tradition reminiscent of holiday gatherings you'll want to savor year-round.
My family calls it Congri, you call them Moros y Cristianos. No matter what you call them, this Cuban black beans & rice is a classic Cuban side dish with tons of flavor! Made with long-grain rice, black beans, Cuban sofrito, crispy bacon, and fragrant spices, this classic dish can be prepared two ways: traditionally with dried beans or quickly with canned beans.
One of my favorite side dishes! This simple boiled yuca recipe is made with homemade Cuban citrus-garlic mojo. This traditional root vegetable typically makes an appearance during the holiday season but you can make it for dinner on any day of the week. Learn how to make this popular Cuban side dish recipe from start to finish in just a few easy steps!
Tostones, a classic Latin staple, are twice-fried plantains made from green plantains. They're prepared by peeling, slicing, frying, smashing, and then frying again. For a Cuban twist, serve tostones with a garlic mojo dipping sauce. Enjoy them as an appetizer or side dish alongside dishes like picadillo, arroz con pollo, or sopa de pollo.
Arroz Blanco is an easy white rice side dish typically served with Cuban black beans or Cuban picadillo. Ready in 25 minutes with just 4 ingredients! All you need is long-grain rice, water, oil, and salt. Learn how to make it on the stovetop or in a rice cooker. Both methods are practically fool-proof!
Frijoles negros are a silky smooth Cuban black bean recipe cooked to perfection. Learn how to make them 2 ways – using dried black beans or canned black beans. Get ready for the most flavorful Cuban side dish served over white rice!
Sweet plantains or Platanos Maduros are made from ripe green plantains that are sliced and then fried until caramelized and crispy on the edges. Plantains are a staple in Cuban Cuisine and make the best side dish for just about any meal. Learn how to bring this sweet side dish to life with just 2 ingredients, minimal prep, and ready in 15 minutes!
Yuca frita (or yuca fries) is a delicious Latin American side dish, appetizer, or snack that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Learn how to turn yuca (or cassava) into fried yuca two ways — on the stovetop or in the air fryer! You can either peel and boil yuca from scratch or use leftover Cuban yuca con mojo. The Cuban version of French fries!
Cuban Bunuelos are pillowy soft and doughy, fried pastries made with yuca and malanga (root vegetables), shaped into figure 8s, then coated in homemade cinnamon-anise syrup. These classically Cuban anise-spiced fritters are traditionally made for the holidays, Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) and, New Year's Eve.
Crema de vie is creamy Cuban eggnog made with cinnamon simple syrup, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, and rum. The hardest part of this recipe will be chilling the crema de vie in the fridge for 1 hour before serving. Can't wait for you to make it for your friends & family this holiday season!
Arroz con Leche is an easy-to-make, creamy Cuban rice pudding made with sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, and lemon zest. The perfect dessert for any day of the week and it's unbelievably delicious!
Flan de Queso (Cream Cheese Flan) is a rich, silky, and creamy custard with a caramel topping made with just 6 ingredients – sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream cheese, vanilla, and eggs. It's a traditional custard with a cheesecake twist!
Un cafecito caliente con espumita is my favorite afternoon treat! Café Cubano is an espresso drink made with dark roast espresso brewed in a stovetop espresso maker then stirred with a luscious sugar foam. Whether enjoyed during breakfast, as a dessert, with strangers, or as a much-needed 3:05 pm energy boost, Cuban coffee is the heart of Miami Cuban culture.
Churros con Chocolate is the best Spanish sweet treat! Churros are pastry logs of deep-fried dough that are crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside, and tossed in cinnamon sugar. Traditionally served with thick, rich, pudding-like Spanish hot chocolate, these homemade churros will transport you to a cafe in Spain!
Spanish Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Caliente) is a thick, rich, pudding-like hot chocolate made with bittersweet dark chocolate, whole milk, cornstarch, and sugar. This isn't your typical watery hot chocolate, this is an indulgent, decadent, dark chocolate lover's delight best served with deep-fried churros just like they do in Spain.
I’ve tried some of them in Cuba, and I love it. Our Festive food have similarity as we have Spanish influence. But I LOVE them all. I will be trying to make them this holiday season. Definitely.
I’ve tried some of them in Cuba, and I love it. Our Festive food have similarity as we have Spanish influence. But I LOVE them all. I will be trying to make them this holiday season. Definitely.
2 thumbs up! Gracias, chica, porque with my Mom’s instructions, I don’t know how to measure “un tilin” o “un poquito”. Sheesh!
Can’t wait to get all these done.
Since moving to Georgia, the struggle has been REAL! Ya tu sabes. Aqui no saben lo que es SABROSO. So Sad.
SOMEONE SEND ME SOME CUBAN BREAD!!!! SAVE ME PLIS!
Lollll “un tilin” is my favorite. A Cuban Bread is in the works for next year. Stay tuned! :)
You are hilarious!! :) Feliz Navidad!