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 (Café Cubano)
Cuban coffee (or café cubano) is a sweet espresso drink made with strong, dark roast espresso sweetened with a thick sugar foam. Cafecito is a huge part of our Cuban culture. Cuban coffee is enjoyed for breakfast as part of your cafe con leche, as a dessert, when you need a much needed boost at 3:05 pm, or even to share with strangers. It's the most delicious coffee beverage of all time!
Get the Recipe
2. Croquetas de Jamón (Ham Croquettes)
Croquetas de Jamón (Ham Croquettes) are a Cuban household staple! They're crispy, bite-size logs of smooth ground ham coated in breadcrumbs then fried to perfection. The perfect breakfast or snack for any day of the week!
Get the Recipe
3. Pastelitos de Guayaba + Queso (Guava Cheese Pastries!)
Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso! Cuban guava and cheese pastries are made with storebought puff pastry and then filled with guava paste and softened cream cheese. Just 4 ingredients! You and your family will fall in love with these easy-to-make sweet, tart guava cheese turnovers. Enjoy them for breakfast or as a delicious snack.
Get the Recipe
4. Easy Cuban Arroz Imperial (Imperial Rice!)
Cuban Arroz Imperial aka Imperial Rice. A classic Cuban comfort food dish made with layers of yellow rice, shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and melted cheese. Perfect for parties, large crowds, and any time of year!
Get the Recipe
5. Cuban Roast Pork (Lechon Asado)
Cuban roast pork (aka lechon asado) marinated in a flavorful homemade garlic-citrus marinade and slow-roasted to perfection!
Get the Recipe
6. Arroz Con Pollo (Cuban Chicken & Rice Recipe)
Arroz con pollo is a classic, one-pot Cuban chicken and rice dish made with juicy chicken thighs, fluffy yellow rice, tomato sauce, chicken broth, sofrito, and spices. There are several variations of this traditional Latin American dish but this one is from my Cuban family. It's the easiest comfort food dinner recipe that practically makes itself!
Get the Recipe
7. Arroz Con Leche (Cuban Rice Pudding)
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!
Get the Recipe
8. Easy & Authentic Cuban Picadillo
Learn how to make flavorful and authentic Cuban picadillo at home with this simple 30-minute recipe. Made stovetop, it features ground beef, tomato sauce, select spices, olives, and raisins. Serve with rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe
9. Cuban Yuca con Mojo
A simple boiled yuca recipe made Cuban-style with homemade citrus-garlic mojo sauce. This traditional root vegetable turned Cuban side dish makes an appearance during the holiday and for dinner on any day of the week. Learn how to make this popular Cuban staple from start to finish in just a few easy steps!
Get the Recipe
10. Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Beans)
These frijoles negros are a silky smooth black bean recipe cooked to perfection. The most flavorful Cuban side dish served with white rice!
Get the Recipe
11. Authentic Cuban Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef Recipe)
Learn how to make the best authentic ropa vieja with this classic Cuban recipe! This slow-cooked shredded beef dish is made with tenderized flank steak, sofrito, and spices, all simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. This recipe requires only 25 minutes of hands-on work once the meat is tenderized.
Get the Recipe
12. Cuban Shrimp Creole Recipe (Camarones Enchilados)
A deliciously saucy and fragrant Cuban-style shrimp creole recipe (Camarones Enchilados) served over white rice. A simple 30-minute meal!
Get the Recipe
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