If you’ve never experienced the rich, hearty flavors of Cuban food, I’m happy to introduce you!
Cuban food is a rich, hearty melting pot of Spanish, African, and other Caribbean cuisines. The majority of Cuban recipes are slow-cooked, sautéed, and/or tomato-based with spices.
If you’re looking to spice up your weekly menus, I’ve gathered these 12 Cuban recipes that range from savory dinners to sweet desserts that you must try.
1. Cuban Coffee
Cuban coffee aka cafecito is a strong dark roasted espresso made with a vigorously mixed sugar foam affectionately called espumita. This ain’t no Starbucks drink.
This is a very strong, potent, bitter-tasting coffee which is why it’s accompanied by a sugar foam to sweeten the deal. It’s delicious and anyone that has tried it… you get it.
2. Ham Croquettes
Cuban toast, ham croquettes, and pastelitos de guayaba y queso are usually part of a Cuban breakfast.
Ham croquettes are crispy, bite-size logs of smooth ground ham coated in breadcrumbs. They are my favorite thing ever!
3. Pastelitos de Guayaba
Pastelitos de guayaba are sweet, tart Cuban pastries made with pastry dough, guava paste, and cream cheese.
They are super easy-to-make and you can enjoy them with or without cream cheese. Either way, they’re delicious!
4. Arroz Imperial
Arroz Imperial is a crowd favorite and a classic Cuban comfort food dish made with layers of yellow rice, shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and melted cheese.
5. Lechon Asado (Roast Pork)
On Christmas Eve, you usually see a Cuban household make roasted pork in the backyard in la caja china. Like the whole pig. I’m sure you can imagine how delicious that must taste. This lechon asado recipe is for roast pork in the oven. You gotta try it!
6. Cuban Arroz con Pollo
Arroz con pollo is a classic, one-pot Cuban-style dish made with chicken, rice, tomato sauce, bell peppers, and spices. It’s the best comfort food!
7. Arroz con Leche
Arroz con leche is an easy-to-make and deliciously creamy rice pudding recipe made Cuban-style with sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, and lemon zest. The best dessert!
8. Cuban Picadillo
Cuban picadillo is a ground beef dish made with tomato sauce, spices, olives, and raisins and, it’s the perfect weeknight meal made in one skillet! Every week, I make picadillo and never get tired of it.
9. Cuban Yuca with Mojo
Yuca (pronounced you-ca) is a starchy root vegetable that you often find in Latin American or Caribbean cuisine. I made yuca Cuban-style with a simple homemade garlic mojo and sautéed onions. It’s honestly the most flavorful side dish you’ll ever make!
10. Cuban Black Beans
Frijoles negros are a huge staple in Cuban cuisine.
They’re made with sofrito (garlic, green peppers, onion mixture) and spices then cooked until silky perfection.
It’s the most flavorful side dish and it’s usually paired with white rice.
11. Ropa Vieja
Ropa vieja (which translates to “old clothes” ha!) is shredded beef slow cooked in a hearty, flavorful tomato sauce.
It’s the best Cuban cozy meal made with shredded flank steak, bell peppers, and onions.
12. Camarones Enchilados
Camarones enchilados (aka Cuban shrimp creole) is a classic dish made with shrimp in a deliciously saucy and fragrant tomato sauce served over white rice. It’s a pretty quick meal to make!
If you try any of these Cuban recipes, comment below! I’d love to hear from you!
Steve Vaujin says
I grew up in South Miami. Father was from Matanzas, Cuba and went to medical school on Havana. Interned at University of Michigan, and did his residency in Chicago.
I love croquetas, arroz con Pollo, roast pork, and Paella.
Sabrina Addams says
It’s amazing to read that Cuban food is like a mixture of African, Spanish, and Caribbean flavors, and most recipes are slow-cooked. My roommate is getting married in July, and we want to find a restaurant to eat out at to celebrate sometime before then. We love trying new food, so we’ll have to find a Cuban restaurant in NJ to try.
Tori Raddison says
Sofrito sounds really good! Onions, garlic, and green peppers go really well together and I cook with them a lot. I hadn’t really thought about putting them all into one dish before though. Maybe I’ll have to try some Cuban cuisine and see if tastes as good as it sounds!
Ivette Pieterick says
My fav is lechon and pollo asado. But i am know to buy every pastel de gauyaba when I order them. And if you show up late for a family party forget about getting any croquettas they go fast.
Jamie Silva says
They do! Lol