Alright, gather round for the tale of Colombian cuisine. Please, I beg you, I PLEAD with all my food-loving heart, do not leave based on first impressions just because it’s not as famous as Italian food.
This cuisine has the power to change your life, making you an arepa seeker and an all-around Colombian food lover.
1. Arepas
Arepas! These are a Colombian street food favorite, made from a sweet cornmeal dough that gets deep-fried to a perfect crisp. Inside, they’re all tender and fluffy, which gives you this amazing texture combination that is just everything.
While Colombian arepas are typically stuffed with cheese, you can honestly fill them with whatever your heart desires. Think rice, beans, or even some scrambled eggs.
I also love making plain arepas with a little butter and a good drizzle of maple syrup; it’s an A+ swap for your usual breakfast pancakes.
2. Colombian Seafood Stew
This Colombian stew is so warm, savory, and filling—a total hug in a bowl. It’s just packed with goodness from mussels, shrimp, and white fish.
The flavors from different seasonings and chopped veggies get balanced out by coconut milk and white wine. The result is just the best kind of creamy Colombian comfort food.
Not a huge fan of mussels or shrimp? That’s totally okay. You can feel free to substitute them with your favorite seafood. For the fish, some great choices are cod, red snapper, or sea bass.
3. Chuleta Valluna (Colombian Pork Milanese)
Okay, let’s try something crisp and meaty, like this chuleta valluna. This classic Colombian dish comes from Valle del Cauca but is loved all over Colombia.
It’s basically a crispy breaded pork that is just loaded with flavor from different spices and aromatics. Inside, the meat is perfectly tender and juicy, and there are no bones to worry about.
Serve it up with some french fries, arepas, and a simple salad for a meal that feels fancy and is super fulfilling.
4. Roasted Potatoes
I am a HUGE fan of potatoes, so this recipe is one of my personal favorites! It’s so simple to pull together but has so much flavor.
A big part of that is the main ingredient: papas criollas, or Andean potatoes. They’re way richer and creamier than white potatoes, and they give this Colombian dish its totally unique taste.
These amazing little balls of joy get tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasted until they’re perfectly brown and tender. Sprinkle on a little extra salt before you serve them. They’ll be gone in a flash!
5. Hogao
I’ve brought up hogao a few times already, so you might be thinking it’s a key part of Colombian cooking. And you would be totally right!
Hogao is a type of salsa that’s used as a seasoning base or a condiment for so many Colombian dishes. It’s made with a mix of veggies and spices, all sautéed until they’re soft and everything has melded together.
This salsa is so fragrant and flavorful, and it only needs simple ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time. Once you get this recipe down, you’ll be on your way to making some seriously good Colombian food.
6. Columbian Pico De Gallo
Looking for a Colombian recipe that uses just a few ingredients but is bursting with flavor? Pico de gallo is your answer.
Tomatoes, onions, and cilantro get soaked in lime and lemon juices. That is literally all you need for this easy-peasy recipe.
This salsa is amazing with tortilla chips or some fried plantains, giving them a taste that is just explosive and so refreshing.
7. Colombian Chicharron
Pieces of pork belly with the meat still on are fried up until they’re golden and crispy. The really cool part? You don’t need any oil to make this dish happen. Just two cups of water and the fat from the pork rinds are all it takes!
Chicharron is a local favorite in Colombia, and you’ll see it served all day long. You can have it for breakfast with hot chocolate or for lunch and dinner as a side.
It’s also a star component of bandeja paisa, bringing a meaty flavor and some serious crunch to that big meal.
8. Colombian Coffee
Coffee lovers, gather ‘round! Here is Colombia’s take on the classic hot drink. Colombians enjoy their coffee sweet and light, with a finish that’s a little bit nutty.
The recipe uses aguapanela in the brewing process, which adds a wonderfully sweet flavor to the coffee. To get that truly authentic taste, you’ve got to use freshly ground Colombian coffee.
Colombia is famous for its rich soil that produces some of the most world-renowned coffee beans. They’re mild, super flavorful, and aromatic. What’s not to love?
9. Colombian Beans
Not a big bean person? Here’s a dish that might just change your mind. This Colombian bean soup is delicious, warming, and so filling when you serve it over a bed of rice.
Hogao, that amazing Colombian condiment, infuses the dish with so much flavor. At the same time, plantains and carrots are in there to boost the nutritional value.
Every family in Colombia has their own version of this bean soup. Some like to make it meaty, while others go for a vegetarian style. When it comes to the beans, you can use cranberry, pinto, or red beans.
10. Colombian Fried Fish
This Colombian recipe features a small tropical fish called mojarra, which is commonly found in South America and the Caribbean. If you can’t find it where you are, tilapia or red snapper are great substitutes.
Even with just a light seasoning, this recipe gives you a deep-fried fish that is just packed with flavor.
Serve it with some coconut rice and a fresh salad on the side for a meal that’s both hearty and nutritious.
11. Bandeja Paisa
Coming to you from the Antioquia department, bandeja paisa is definitely not for anyone watching their diet. But if it’s a cheat day, this high-calorie meal is a must-try.
Bandeja is the Spanish word for “platter,” and that’s what you get here—a platter piled high with beloved Colombian dishes. We’re talking carne de polvo, hogao, and arepas, just to name a few.
Basically, this platter is an invitation to a Colombian feast that brings together a bunch of different but totally complementary flavors. It does take some time and effort to put together, but it is 100% worth it.
12. Three-Milk Rice Pudding
This tres leches milk pudding makes creating a wonderfully rich dessert so easy. All you need to do is a little heating and stirring, and you’ll have it ready in under an hour.
A mix of condensed milk, whole milk, and evaporated milk gives this pudding a fantastic creaminess. Add in some vanilla and cinnamon, and you have a dessert that is truly decadent.
Want to make it a total hit with the kids? Add some whipped cream, candy sprinkles, and a cherry right on top. It might not be traditional, but who can resist that?
13. Colombian Potato Salad
This salad is so tasty and nutritious, and it’s a great change of pace from a typical mayo-based potato salad. It’s also super colorful, which is enough to tempt even the pickiest eaters to give it a try!
The recipe features a dressing with a wine vinegar base, which gives it really refreshing and tangy flavors.
You’ve got red potatoes, carrots, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes all in the mix. Just toss everything together until it’s all combined. And go heavy on the cilantro for the most flavorful salad possible!
14. Colombian Green Plantains
Green plantains are smashed down into thin slices, given a little salt, and then fried until they’re perfectly brown. This is, without a doubt, one of the easiest Colombian recipes you can make.
For extra flavor, you can top them with hogao, guacamole, or just some avocado slices. This creates some savory bites that your whole family is going to love.
15. Aguapanela
Aguapanela is a super refreshing summer drink made with just water and panela. If you’ve never heard of panela, it’s a solid block of sugarcane that has a taste similar to brown sugar. In India, they have something similar called jaggery.
For this classic drink, all you have to do is boil the panela in water and let it simmer for 30 minutes. So easy, right?
Serve it up cold with a squeeze of lime juice for a drink that will definitely quench your thirst!
16. Columbian Style Stuffed Pork
The Tolima department of Colombia is proud of its unique stuffed pork, or lechona tolimense. This recipe isn’t for your average weeknight, as it calls for a whole pork cooked in a brick oven.
You stuff it with rice, peas, and classic Latin spices, and you end up with one of the absolute tastiest Colombian dishes you can find.
For most Colombians, the most important part is getting the pork skin super crispy. I have to agree with them on that. Who doesn’t love a bit of crispy goodness with every bite?
17. Colombian Cheese Fritters
The moment the Christmas season kicks off in Colombia, families start getting ready to make these iconic cheese fritters. They’re chewy and cheesy with just a touch of sweetness, making them a total holiday favorite.
The best part? This recipe only needs a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Even if it’s not Christmas, you can totally make these treats! Serve them with a creamy cinnamon custard for a truly authentic Colombian experience.
18. Colombian Cassava Bread
This recipe gives you a gluten-free breakfast or snack that’s both cheesy and starchy. They kind of look like donuts, but the big difference is that they’re made with cheese and cassava starch.
For even more flavor impact, some people like to fill this cassava bread with a fruit paste. To enjoy it the traditional way, just serve it with a hot cup of coffee or chocolate.
19. Columbian Coconut Rice
Colombian coconut rice is a super popular side for chicken and seafood dishes. It’s a local favorite that adds a lightly sweet and toasted finish to any meal.
What’s surprising about this recipe is that you don’t just cook the rice in coconut milk. Instead, you have to cook the milk down until it turns into a flavored coconut oil with these chewy little masses.
This mixture is then added to the dry rice, creating a side dish that is so tasty.
If you’re in the mood for a sweeter bowl of coconut rice, go ahead and add some sugar, ginger, or golden raisins to the mix.
20. Colombian Empanadas
Empanadas are a big deal in Latin countries, and Colombia’s version is one you don’t want to miss. These empanadas have a crunchy outside, a flavorful inside, and are just aromatic all around.
Colombian empanadas bring together potatoes, beef, and classic Latin spices. Each one is gone in just a few bites, so you’ll want to make an extra batch! They are that good!
21. Colombian Style Powdered Beef
Carne de polvo, which translates to Colombian style powdered beef, is a classic dish from Colombia’s Andean region.
It’s made from flank steak that gets boiled, chopped into chunks, and then processed until it has a powdered consistency. While you can definitely eat this dish on its own, it’s at its best when it’s part of a bandeja paisa.
This powdered beef is also a great way to make sure the kids are getting their vitamins and protein.
22. Colombian Chicken and Potato Stew
Also called ajiaco, this chicken and potato stew is a treasured Colombian dish from Bogota City, and it’s easy to see why. It’s like a warm, comforting hug in a bowl!
So many different flavors come together in this dish, mostly from the chicken, Andean potatoes, corn, and classic spices. It gets even better when you top it with sour cream, avocados, cilantro, and capers.
Even though this recipe has quite a few ingredients, it all comes together for a perfectly balanced flavor. Plus, you get bonus points for all the nutrients in this dish and that crunchy bite from the corn on the cob!
23. Colombian Pizza
I am a major pizza eater, and Colombia’s take on it definitely makes my list of the most interesting pizzas I’ve seen.
The toppings include corn, chorizo, diced avocados, red pepper flakes, and cilantro. It’s just packed with unique flavors that will have you drooling in no time.
Chorizo and avocado are already a match made in heaven. Put them on a pizza with a delicious sauce and some melty mozzarella cheese, and there you have it! A totally delightful treat.
24. Colombian Griddled Corn Cakes
These fluffy corn cakes are a popular kind of arepa made with a special pre-cooked corn flour called masarepa.
The corn kernels and cheese create this perfect harmony of sweet and salty flavors. It’s a seriously hearty breakfast if you serve it with a fried egg on top and some chorizo on the side.
Want your corn cakes to be extra cheesy? Just top them with some white cheese or stuff a slice of mozzarella inside.
25. Colombian Aji
Aji picante is a spicy Colombian sauce from Antioquia that is famously used with Colombian empanadas. You can also put this hot sauce on pretty much anything, from stews and soups to rice. It’s so versatile, you’ll want to have it on hand all year long!
Using a food processor makes creating this iconic sauce super easy. Just throw everything in, pulse it a few times, and then adjust the heat to your liking.