10 Traditional Cuban Side Dishes
Tired of the same old, boring side dishes? Why not add some Cuban flare to your dinner this week by making one of these Cuban side dishes?
Cuban food is a rich, hearty melting pot of Spanish, African, and other Caribbean cuisines. A majority of recipes are slow-cooked, sautéed, and/or tomato-based with spices like cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. If you’re new to Cuban cuisine, click here to learn more.
I’ve compiled 10 traditional Cuban side dishes that are not only easy to make but they’re also DELICIOUS!
1
15-Minute Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
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!
2
Authentic Cuban Tostones (Twice-Fried Plantains)
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.
3
Frijoles Negros (Authentic Cuban Black Beans)
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!
4
Boiled Cuban Yuca con Mojo
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!
5
Arroz Blanco (How To Make White Rice)
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!
6
Frijoles Colorados (Authentic Cuban Red Beans)
Frijoles Colorados (Cuban red beans) is a smoky, hearty bean dish made with dried red kidney beans, chorizo, ham, sofrito, spices, squash, and potatoes. A true Cuban favorite! Learn how you can bring this dish to life in 3 different ways – on the stovetop after soaking the beans for 6 hours overnight or after quick soaking, in a pressure cooker, or using canned red beans. Serve these authentic Cuban red beans as a main dish or a side dish!
7
Moros y Cristianos/Arroz Congri (Cuban Black Beans + Rice)
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.
8
Caldo Gallego (Galician White Bean Soup)
Caldo Gallego is a hearty Galician white bean soup made with cannellini beans, smoked ham, chorizo, bacon, potatoes, and collard greens in a chicken broth. There are 2 ways to bring this dish to life — on the stovetop after soaking the beans for 6 hours overnight or after quick soaking or using canned white kidney beans. A classic soup dinner on its own with crusty bread, or the perfect appetizer for any day of the week.
9
Easy Arroz Amarillo (Spanish Yellow Rice)
Arroz Amarillo is a seasoned Spanish yellow rice dish made with white rice that's colored with annatto powder and cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sofrito sauce. This 30-minute yellow rice recipe is a classic staple in Cuban cuisine and a delicious Cuban side dish for pork, ham, chicken, beef, or fish.
10
Sopa de Chicharos (Cuban Split Pea Soup)
Sopa de Chicharos is hearty, thick Cuban split pea soup made from scratch in one pot loaded with smoked ham, squash, and potatoes. Easy-to-make, flavorful, and a nourishing meal for just about any day of the week. Serve with white rice, crusty bread, or enjoy on its own.
Which side dish are you making this week? Tell me in the comments below!
My parents came from Cuba in 1960 and settled in Miami. I am first generation born in 1961. Everything I knew about food was Cuban. It wasn’t until I was in my mid twenties that I had “American” food. Cuban fritas were the hamburger of choice, a Cuban sandwich from “La Carreta” was our Subway. I watched my mother and her doing the “ojito” to everything she cooked. I mimicked her style making errors along the way of it was either too salty or not enough. Both of my parents have passed but every Saturday I cook something Cuban for my “gringito” husband and it’s magic how all of the memories and smells come back. Thank you Jamie for these wonderful recipes. Some of them I had truly forgotten and I am here to say, that I have made each and every one and they’re authentic and Cuban! Muchisimas gracias!
So happy to hear, Rosy!! Thank you for your kind comment!
All the recipes are very good. Bring the taste of home ( Cuba ) to me.
Gracias! So happy you enjoyed it!
I love all your recipes.
Zoila.
These are delicious easy to make traditional Cuban recipes anyone can make.
Love the TOP 10 EASY CUBAN RECIPES! Thank you.
Heelo,
Thank you souch for sharing your recipes!
I love yuca but dont know whats best to put on ot? Is there a sauce like a mojo recipe? Or would you suggest something different?
In my yuca recipe, I share a mojo sauce that you add on top of the boiled yuca!
Hi Jamie,
I tried a few of your dishes. I have to say these are restaurant grade recipes. You rock. A numero uno. Also, you belong in the movies with a beautiful face like yours.
Take Care,
Manny Olmo
Lol thank you, Manny. :)
Jamie,
Thanks so much for sharing your recipes. I look forward to trying all the yummy dishes.🙂
Naomi Cambria
Thank you Naomi! :)
Growing up my best friend was Cuban these recipes bring me back to those wonders flavors
Who would have thought I could make the. Not as good as my adopted Abuela but maybe one day
You can do it!!
No Potajes? No Caldo Gallego, potaje de chicharo, or Frijoles Colorado???
They’re on my to-do list. Thanks for your patience! :)
Dishes look great from a Cuban cook to a young cuban chef!!!