Enjoy the vibrant and flavorful world of Cuban cuisine with this carefully curated collection of 35+ authentic Cuban recipes! From popular appetizers and flavor packed side dishes to hearty main courses and tropical desserts, this roundup has everything you need to bring the taste of Cuba to your kitchen. Whether you’re craving classic dishes like Ropa Vieja and Arroz con Pollo or looking for sweet treats like Flan Cubano and refreshing drinks like Cuba Libre, this post has got you covered.
- Start your meal off right with classic Cuban appetizers such as savory Croquettes and crispy Tostones, perfect for any gathering.
- Enhance your meals with authentic Cuban side dishes like Cuban Black Beans and Mashed Plantains, perfect blend of flavors and textures.
Cuban Mains:
- Delight in hearty Cuban mains like Arroz con Pollo and Ropa Vieja, the rich and comforting flavors of Cuba.
- Traditional Cuban desserts like Creamy Flan and luscious Natilla Cubana, offer a delicious end to any meal.
Cuban Drinks:
- Refresh yourself with iconic Cuban drinks such as bold Cuban Coffee and the classic Cuban Libre.
Cuban Recipes
Healthy Turkey Picadillo
Turkey Picadillo is a lightened up version of the traditional Latin American dish made with ground beef. Serve it over rice or use it as a taco filling and enjoy!
Turkey Picadillo
Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwiches
This Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwich is the ultimate cubano sandwich recipe. Ham, cuban pork & gruyere cheese are layered with pickles and mustard.
Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwiches
Instant Pot Mojo Pork
Instant Pot Mojo Pork cooks up so tender & delicious! This cuban pork roast is made with a tangy citrus marinade and delicious spices.
Instant Pot Mojo Pork (Cuban Pork Roast Recipe)
Tostones Recipe
Tostones are twice-fried green plantain slices, a popular side dish in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, easy to make at home and always delicious.Recipe: Chili Pepper Madness
Tostones
Croquetas de Jamon (Ham Croquettes)
Enjoy Cuban croquetas de jamon whenever you need a Cuban street food fix! This easy Cuban food recipe is freezer friendly, a great way to use leftovers, and a hit at parties!Recipe: Goodie Godmother
Croquetas de Jamon (Ham Croquettes)
Baked Yuca Fries with Cilantro Dipping Sauce
These baked yuca fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The cilantro dipping sauce is ridiculously addictive!Recipe: The New Baguette
Baked Yuca Fries
Cuban Sandwich Skewers
Serve up the classic Cuban Sandwich on a stick! Ham, Salami, Swiss cheese and a tiny pickle make these Cuban Sandwich Skewers!Recipe: Best Appetizers
Cuban Sandwich Skewers
Cuban Black Beans
Full of savory flavor, these Cuban Black Beans are made with dry or canned black beans with instructions for both stove top and Instant Pot.Recipe: Feasting at Home
Cuban Black Beans
Cuban Black Bean Soup (Hearty & Delicious)
A healthy, hearty, veggie filled cuban black bean soup recipe that’s absolutely delicious! Vegan & gluten free recipe.Recipe: The Simple Veganista
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Effortless Authentic Cuban Soup Recipe
Transport yourself to Havana with each spoonful of this one-pot Classic Cuban Soup. Using ham hocks and salt pork (optional), white beans are infused with smoky flavors that complement their creamy texture. Recipe: Yummfully
Authentic Cuban Soup
Crockpot Cuban Style Pork Tenderloin
Slowly cooked to tender perfection in a delicious sauce, this incredible Crockpot Cuban Style Pork Tenderloin is bursting with flavor!Recipe: Jo Cooks
Crockpot Cuban Style Pork Tenderloin
Cuban Shrimp Creole (Enchilado de Camarones)
This Cuban shrimp creole recipe (enchilado de camarones) is packed with flavor and made in under 20 minutes. Enjoy this with white rice.Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Cuban Shrimp Creole
Arroz con Pollo Cubano
Looking for a classic arroz con pollo Cubano recipe? You fount it. This bone-in chicken and rice is fluffy and packed with flavor.Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Arroz con Pollo Cubano
Enchilado de Langosta (Cuban Lobster Creole)
This enchilado de langosta is a classic Cuban lobster creole recipe. Made with lots of garlic, onions, peppers, and lobster tails. Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Enchilado de Langosta (Cuban Lobster Creole)
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 the ultimate Cuban comfort food.Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Authentic Cuban Ropa Vieja
Fufu de Platano (Cuban Boiled Mashed Plantains)
Fufu de Platano, a Cuban classic made with boiled, mashed plantains. Perfectly sweet and savory side dish with a touch of nostalgia in every bite!Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Cuban Boiled Mashed Plantains
Lechon Asado (Cuban Pork Roast)
This Lechon asado recipe, aka Cuban Pork Roast, features slow roasted pork in a citrus garlic marinade. The meat is juicy and tender.Recipe: The Big Man's World
Lechon Asado
Vaca Frita
Juicy flank steak is simmered until tender and then cooked with garlic, lime, and onion in this simple recipe for Vaca Frita (Crispy Shredded Beef). It’s a super-easy recipe that everyone will devour!Recipe: The Novice Chef Blog
Vaca Frita (Crispy Cuban Shredded Beef)
Camarones al Ajillo
Wonderfully smokey and buttery, Camarones al ajillo are the Cuban version of garlic butter shrimp with a slightly spicy twist.Recipe: Diethood
Camarones al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp)
Cuban Yuca con Mojo (Yuca with Garlic Sauce)
This traditional Cuban yuca con mojo is your new favorite side dish! Along with the fragrant sauce, it has big flavor and taste.Recipe: Yummy Addiction
Cuban Yuca con Mojo
Rabo Encendido (Cuban Oxtail)
This rabo encendido is a delicious Cuban oxtail recipe made with beef oxtails, potatoes, and carrots. So much flavor and super easy to make.Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Cuban Oxtail Stew
Chicken Fricassee (Fricase de Pollo)
Fricase de pollo a traditional Cuban chicken stew that is braised in wine with potatoes and carrots. It the kind of dish that warms your heart.Recipe: The Noshery
Chicken Fricassee (Fricase de Pollo)
Pernil-Style Roast Pork
This pernil style roast pork recipe is one of our all-time favorite pork recipes. Serve with beans, rice, and a simple salad to complete the meal!Recipe: The Woks of Life
Pernil Roast Pork
Sopa de Pollo (Caldo de Pollo) – Cooked by Julie
This sopa de pollo is my Cuban grandmothers recipe and everyone loves it. Made with bone-in chicken, noodles, sofrito, and spices.Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Sopa de Pollo
Chicharos Cubanos (Made from Scratch)
These chicharos Cubanos aka potaje de chicharos are a Cuban style split pea soup. Super creamy, flavorful, and made from scratch!Recipe: Cooked by Julie
Chicharos Cubanos
Cuban Bistec de Pollo a la Plancha
Seasoned with sazon then smothered in sautéed garlic and onions, this chicken is packed with flavor and great for any meal! Recipe: Fat Girl Hedonist
Pollo a la Plancha
Citrus-Marinated Cuban Steak Tacos
Indulge in Citrus-Marinated Cuban Steak Tacos, a zesty, succulent blend that transports your taste buds to the Caribbean.Recipe: The Curious Plate
Citrus-Marinated Cuban Steak Tacos
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake
Simple One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake…the perfect pantry staple recipe: easy, cheesy, takes under an hour to make, and all-around delicious!Recipe: Half Baked Harvest
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake
Cuban Flan
If you’re looking for a Cuban flan recipe that is authentic, you’ve found the real deal! This flan recipe has been in my family for many years! Recipe: Coco and Ash
Cuban Flan
Casquitos de Guayaba
Serve these sweet and silky casquitos de guayaba — guava shells simmered in vanilla sugar — alongside fresh cheese for a classic Cuban dessert.Recipe: Saveur
Casquitos de Guayaba
Natilla Cubana
Natilla Cubana is a delicious and comforting cuban style pudding dessert. A rich custard infused with cinnamon, lime and vanilla flavor making it like a cozy hug from abuela.Recipe: Fat Girl Hedonist
Natilla Cubana
Pastelitos De Guayaba (Cuban Guava Pastry)
These Pastelitos De Guayaba (Cuban Guava Pastry) are filled with sweet, gooey guava paste and sweetened cream cheese and baked until golden brown!Recipe: Went There Ate This
Cuban Guava Pastry
Guava Bars
These buttery, crumbly guava bars are the perfect sweet treat. Easy to make with just a few ingredients.Recipe: Sweet Life Bake
Guava Bars
Brazo Gitano de Guayaba (Guava Swiss Roll)
Elevate your dessert game with this Brazo Gitano (Guava Swiss Roll), a fluffy sponge cake, filled with guava, rolled up, and dusted with powdered sugar.Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Guava Swiss Roll
Café Cubano
Cuban coffee (or café cubano) is a sweet espresso drink made with strong, dark roast espresso sweetened with a thick sugar foam.Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
How To Make Cuban Coffee (Café Cubano)
Cortadito Coffee Recipe
This sweet, creamy Cuban cortadito coffee recipe is the perfect blend of pre-sweetened espresso and hot milk for the ultimate morning pick-me-up drink.Recipe: Billy Parisi
Cortadito Coffee Recipe
Cuba Libre Drink Recipe
Savor the refreshing taste of the Caribbean with our easy-to-follow Cuba Libre cocktail recipe, a tasty blend of rum, lime, and Coca-Cola.Recipe: Food Faith Fitness
Cuba Libre Drink
More Tropical Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Cuban Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of Cuban recipes. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Full Recipe
35+ Traditional Cuban Recipes to Make at Home!
Enjoy the vibrant and flavorful world of Cuban cuisine with this carefully curated collection of 35+ authentic Cuban recipes! From popular appetizers and flavor packed side dishes to hearty main courses and tropical desserts, this roundup has everything you need to bring the taste of Cuba to your kitchen. Whether you're craving classic dishes like Ropa Vieja and Arroz con Pollo or looking for sweet treats like Flan Cubano and refreshing drinks like Cuba Libre, this post has got you covered.
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Serves 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided )
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
- 1 yellow onion (minced)
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup white wine or dry vermouth
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup chopped pimento stuffed green olives (plus 1 tablespoon brine)
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- ½ cup canned black beans
- 1 Tablespoon capers
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the turkey with salt and pepper and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain the turkey and set aside in a bowl.
- Return the same skillet to the burner, add the remaining olive oil and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic and bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent. Return the cooked turkey to the skillet, and add the wine, tomato sauce, olives and brine, raisins, black beans, capers, cumin, and cayenne. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm with rice, or as a taco stuffing.
Nutrition
Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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