Round out your meal with these 15+ flavorful Cuban side dishes that capture the taste of the island’s culinary culture. So many options to choose from hearty and comforting Cuban Chicken Soup and Cuban Black Bean Soup to the sweetness of Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains and the comforting texture of Cuban Polenta. Take the stress out of meal planning and find your next perfect accompaniment to any main course here!
Not sure where to start? I highly recommend this tasty Black Bean Soup or Cuban Picadillo Stuffed Sweet Potato.
Cuban Side Dishes
Turkey Picadillo
Cuban Ground Turkey Picadillo is a lightened up version of the traditional dish made with ground beef. This sweet and savory mixture combines briny olives and capers, with sweet golden raisins, black beans and plenty of delicious spices.
Turkey Picadillo
Authentic Cuban Chicken Soup
Cuban chicken soup is a comforting and hearty dish with tender chicken, a medley of vegetables, and aromatic spices simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s a soul-warming Cuban classic known for being rich and nourishing.Recipe: Bless This Meal
Authentic Cuban Chicken Soup
Cuban Black Bean Soup
This tasty Cuban Black Bean Soup Recipe can be made with dry beans in your Instant Pot or cooked on the stovetop with canned beans. Recipe: Feasting at Home
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains
Plantains are notorious for bringing a taste of the islands to any meal. These Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains are a extra sweetened up version that are just as great as a side dish or as dessert!Recipe: Delicious Little Bites
Sticky Sweet Fried Plantains
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 Salad with Mango
Bake some spiced sweet potato fries, quick braise some pinto beans, and caramelize some plantains and you have one amazing salad ready to go! Plus, the spicy southwestern dressing doesn't hurt either. Recipe: Cherry On My Sundae
Cuban Salad with Mango
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. Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Cuban Tostones (Twice-Fried Plantains)
Cuban Stuffed Picadillo Peppers
Cuban Stuffed Peppers (Ajies Rellenos) is an easy stuffed peppers recipe filled with seasoned Cuban ground beef picadillo and then roasted until moist and tender.Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Cuban Stuffed Picadillo Peppers
Cuban Stuffed Sweet Potato
Stuffed sweet potatoes made Cuban-style with beef picadillo, sweet plantains, and diced avocado. A flavorful and hearty meal for any day of the week!Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Cuban Stuffed Sweet Potato
Crispy Yuca with Citrus Dressing
This is a take on yuca con mojo, a Cuban dish that is a cooked garlic dressing poured over steamed or boiled yuca. This recipe has crispy oven-roasted yuca, crispy quinoa, and a quick citrus dressing, making it an ideal side dish or component for your meal!Recipe: Justine Snacks
Crispy Yuca with Citrus Dressing
Cuban Ham and Cheese Croquettes
Croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes) are flavorful bite size bechamel fritters that has a light crispy outside and a delicious creamy inside with notes of ham, sofrito, and spices!Recipe: Latina Mom Meals
Cuban Ham and Cheese Croquettes
Cuban Polenta
This recipe, using pork ribs and a combination of grated corn and some cornmeal to thicken it, is easy and fairly quick but delivers plenty of that comforting, grandmotherly flavor.Recipe: Splendid Table
Cuban Polenta
Cuban Fried Rice
Cuban Fried Rice is an easy stir-fry rice recipe that also happens to be a traditional Cuban rice dish! Arroz frito is delicious and a simple weeknight meal. Cook with pork, chicken or as a vegetarian meal the family will love.
Cuban Fried Rice
Cuban Lima Bean Soup
This recipe in particular known as "Potaje de Frijoles Blanco" comes together in just a few hours and makes enough to last you throughout the whole week (and more)! The lima beans are a great source of fiber and protein and the broth alone of this soup has incredible depth of flavor.Recipe: Cool Beans Nutrition
Cuban Lima Bean Soup
Frituras de Malanga
Frituras de Malanga are fritters made with peeled & grated malanga (taro root vegetable) mixed with egg, chopped parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper and fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect Cuban appetizer or snack for any day of the week!Recipe: A Sassy Spoon
Frituras de Malanga
Cuban Quimbombo Okra Stew
Quimbombo is an okra stew that gets better with time. Perfect for cozy dinners and introducing yourself to Cuban cuisine. Recipe: A Taste of Wellbeing
Cuban Quimbombo Okra Stew
Cuban Grilled Zucchini
This easy and flavorful side dish features zucchini seasoned with smoked paprika, chili powder, and cilantro. Perfect for summer grilling!Recipe: The Whole Smiths
Cuban Grilled Zucchini
Authentic Spanish Rice Recipe with Peas
Made with white rice, tomato sauce, spices, and frozen peas, our recipe promises a great taste in every bite. Our family holds a deep connection to this dish; my mother, from Havana, Cuba, frequently prepared it, making it a cherished part of our meals for as long as I can remember.Recipe: Cooking In The Keys
Authentic Spanish Rice
More Side Dishes
Did you Make Any of These Cuban Side Dishes?
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PS – Be sure to check out these 20+ Cuban Appetizers and 25+ Cuban Desserts as well.
Full Recipe
Cuban Black Beans
Round out your meal with these 15+ flavorful Cuban side dishes that capture the taste of the island's culinary culture. Take the stress out of meal planning and find your next perfect accompaniment to any main course here! Try this easy Cuban Black Beans recipe. It’s a low-fuss skillet recipe that’s quick and easy, and made with warm and smoky flavors.
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Serves 4 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 15-ounce cans black beans ((drained and rinsed) (about 3 cups))
- 1/3 cup bone broth (or chicken stock or water)
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (to garnish (optional))
- 1/4-1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (or cotija cheese (optional))
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook for 5-6 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic and cumin and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the black beans and broth or water to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, until warmed through.
- Add lime juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- If desired, top with cilantro and queso fresco.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Store the leftover Mexican black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
You can also freeze them for up to 6 months without sacrificing taste or texture. I like freezing black beans in small portion containers for the ease of thawing as much as I need for other recipes.
Nutrition
Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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