Listen, whenever we whisper a prayer to the air that’s like “oh no, it’s dinner o’clock what do I doooo?”, and you’re craving something that feels like a vacation, that answer is always: Cuban things!
And this collection of recipes, with tender marinated chicken, savory black beans, and zesty mojo sauce is NOT. HOLDING. BACK. And neither should you.
Did we mention the crispy, golden-brown tostones on the side? Yeah, all the best things! Super quick and easy with lots of available shortcuts and lots and lots of yum.
1. Cuban Frita
Let’s talk burgers, because this Cuban frita is on another level. I’m telling you, this is not your everyday burger.
Picture this: a perfectly seasoned patty with chorizo butter and paprika. And just when you think it can’t get any better, it’s topped with a pile of fried potato strings. Every single bite is going to have the most amazing crunch! YUM.
2. Lechon Asado
Okay, can we talk about Lechon Asado? This Cuban-style roast pork gets its incredible flavor from a mojo marinade, and it is EVERYTHING. We’re talking tons of cumin, garlic, and oregano. The final roasted meat is just packed with tangy citrus juices.
And the leftovers? They make for some seriously awesome sandwiches. You just shred the pork, toss on some sliced onions, and hit it with a drizzle of that mojo sauce. So, so good.
3. Cuban Mojo Pot Roast
This Cuban mojo pot roast is a summertime beef dish packed with herby, garlicky, and citrusy mojo sauce! Hello, yum.
You just throw in some potatoes and carrots for flavor and texture. It’s a one-pan meal, which you know I love because it means less kitchen duty.
But you still get a whole meal for the entire family. You’re gonna want some dinner rolls on the side to get every last bit of that delicious sauce!
Traditionally, that mojo sauce uses sour oranges. If you can’t find them, lime or orange juice will work. Even grapefruit is a great swap!
4. Cuban Picadillo
Cuban-style picadillo is such a comforting, homestyle dish. You can make it with ground beef, ground pork, or even a mix of both. For this version, we’re focusing on ground beef, but feel free to switch it up if pork is more your style.
You just can’t have Cuban picadillo without adding capers, olives, and raisins. A tomato sauce and a bunch of other spices create layers of flavor that are just oozing from this dish.
For sides? Black beans and sweet plantains are perfect picks. And if you want to add even more protein, topping it with a fried egg is the way to go.
5. Tostones
Tostones! My sweet little loveys! These are just sliced rounds of plantains that you smash, fry twice, and then sprinkle with sea salt. Is this not the most perfect Friday food?
With just a few simple things, green plantains, salt, and vegetable oil, you’ll have these snacks ready in a flash. And you absolutely have to dip these tostones in your favorite sauce for that extra-special bite. You win!
6. Cubano Sandwich
Pork in a sandwich is just such a classic Cuban thing. It’s so good, it even steals the show in movies. Go watch “Chef” if you need a reference!
This sandwich is really unlike anything else. Inside, you’ve got mojo-marinated pork layered with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
I’ve seen some versions that use salami, too. Everything gets loaded onto the bread and then pressed, so all those flavors just melt together in every single bite. You’ve gotta serve this with some potato chips. It’s a perfect combo!
7. Vaca Frita
People say vaca frita is a cousin to the classic ropa vieja. They both use shredded beef but are cooked in totally different ways. With vaca frita, you get tender shredded beef that has a crispy outside.
Using a mojo marinade is a super important step to get all those exciting flavors into the meat. In short, vaca frita is where citrusy and garlicky flavors come together. Plus, that crunchy goodness is a total home run.
Serve it up with white rice and black beans for a traditional Cuban dinner!
8. Cuban Chicken Noodle Soup
Are you looking for something warm to go with your Cuban sandwiches? Well, the timing is just perfect. This Cuban chicken noodle soup is exactly what you need!
This dish is the ultimate Cuban comfort food, but in soup form. It’s so incredibly hearty, with all those bite-sized pieces of chicken in a light, perfectly seasoned soup.
Adding angel hair pasta makes it extra filling. You might think you’ll only need half a Cuban sandwich, but that’s definitely not me. I can never get enough of that sandwich!
9. Arroz Congri
So, this Cuban dish might not be the most photogenic, but it is one hundred percent an interesting one! I just love the aroma, texture, and taste you get from the black beans, veggies, bacon, and spices.
The savory flavor of this rice and black beans makes it a perfect match for ropa vieja. You can also have it as a vegetarian main, just serve it with a salad on the side.
10. Ropa Vieja
If you want to get to know Cuban food, we have to start with one of the national dishes: ropa vieja. This savory Latin dish delivers a major flavor punch with shredded beef and vegetables. With a little kick from olives and capers, ropa vieja has a slightly salty taste.
Traditionally, this dish calls for flank steak. But since that cut doesn’t hold up well to low and slow cooking, you might want to try chuck steak instead. When it’s cut right, chuck steak gives you soft, tasty, and moist shredded beef for your ropa vieja.
11. Cuban Shrimp Creole
This classic Cuban dish is saucy and has a bit of a spicy kick. It’s just the thing to add a little warmth to your day. The star here is the shrimp, so you know you’re in for a seafood treat!
It’s simmered in a tomato-based sauce with fresh Latin spices, and it’s just perfect served over a bed of white rice. You should definitely dunk some bread into the sauce. Honestly, it’s so delicious, you won’t be able to say no!
12. Huevos Habaneros
Get your morning started with this flavorful and delicious Cuban breakfast, huevos habaneros. To put it simply, this is a Havana-style egg dish that’s swimming in a spicy tomato sauce.
Serve it with some grilled chorizo and fried plantains for a super lively Cuban breakfast!
If you’re tired of the usual fried, boiled, or scrambled eggs, this is THE breakfast recipe you have to try.
13. Cuban Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a big deal in so many countries, and of course, the Cuban version is not one to be missed. For this recipe, the bell peppers are filled with that super tasty Cuban picadillo and cooked rice.
The beef filling is the real hero, with amazing flavors from Latin spices, olives, and raisins. If you want a low-carb version of this dish, you can totally skip the rice.
14. Elena Ruz Sandwich
The Elena Ruz sandwich is proof that mixing sweet and savory flavors isn’t weird at all. For a Cuban-style afternoon snack, or merienda, this is the sandwich you need. It’s got turkey, cream cheese, and strawberry jam.
Just imagine all those ingredients tucked inside a lightly toasted medianoche bread. The sandwich comes out warm, but it’s not pressed.
15. Cuban Breaded Steak
Craving some really good fried chicken? This Cuban breaded steak is the answer!
But honestly, it’s so much more than just a fried chicken steak. This dish gets its amazing flavors from a tangy marinade made with orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, and Cuban seasonings.
Coating the marinated pork in flour, egg whites, and seasoned cracker crumbs is also a super important step. Once that’s done, you just fry the meat until it’s golden, and you’ve got a fantastic chicken meal for lunch or dinner!
16. Deviled Crab Croquettes
If you’re a fan of spicy food, these deviled crab croquettes are for you. Just from the name, you can probably guess it has a spicy crab filling. But there’s more to it; the filling is wrapped up in bread dough and then dipped in seasoned crumbs, flour, and eggs.
The last step is to fry them until they’re golden and perfect, so you get a crunchy outside and a tender, delicious inside.
17. Tamal en Cazuela
Tamal en cazuela is one of those dishes that just reminds you of grandma’s cooking. It will make your whole kitchen smell so bright and comforting. This dish is the Cuban take on polenta. You can expect a soft, creamy, porridge-like cornmeal mixture.
For toppings, you just can’t go wrong with pork ribs, fresh parsley, and some lime wedges. If you want to switch things up, feel free to use seafood or chicken instead of pork.
18. Cuban Papas Rellenas
Papas rellenas are known as the classic Cuban snack. We’re talking fried potato balls stuffed with meat and so many spices! The potato balls are coated in eggs and crumbs. You can double dredge them for an even crunchier crust!
Take one bite, and you’ll get a savory ground beef mixture that’s oh-so-flavorful. If you’re a big fan of potato dishes, you should really think about making a double batch of these little balls of joy. I promise they’ll disappear fast!
19. Pulpeta
Pulpeta is a Cuban-style meatloaf that brings together ground meat, onions, vinegar, eggs, breadcrumbs, tomatoes, wine, and spices. An authentic pulpeta isn’t baked; it’s seared and then gently simmered in a flavorful Cuban-style sauce.
Sometimes, this meatloaf is even filled with hard-boiled eggs. I’m not sure if the eggs are there to make it more filling or just for looks. But one thing I know for sure: this meatloaf has way more flavor than the American version!
20. Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre is a cocktail that celebrates the end of war and oppression in Cuba. It’s a classic mix of rum, cola, and a lime wedge.
The original rum for this drink was Bacardi Carta de Oro. But any kind of rum, light or dark, will work unless you really want that authentic taste.
The Cuba Libre is light and has a timeless flavor. It’s about as strong as a glass of wine and is perfect for a cocktail party or a girls’ night out!
21. Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
This recipe gives you slow-cooked pulled pork that’s bursting with garlic and citrus flavors. Because the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, it’s the easiest way to cook up some pork. This recipe is also super versatile!
You can serve it over a bed of white rice for a complete Cuban meal, or use it as a topping for a nacho party. Once again, that tangy and well-spiced mojo sauce is the key to making this delicious dish.
You can use it as a marinade, but it’s also great as a dip or a sauce. How awesome is that?
22. Cuban Lentil Soup
Cuban lentil soup is just a comforting bowl of brown lentils and veggies. Whenever the weather gets a little chilly, this is one of my go-to meals!
This hearty dish has smoky and warm flavors. And bonus, it’s a one-pot meal, so you have less work in the kitchen and less mess to clean up.
Serve the soup with some warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls. Happy dunking!
23. Cuban Chicken With Yellow Rice
Looking for that one meal that will keep you full and totally satisfied? This Cuban chicken with yellow rice is just what you need! It’s ready in about 40 minutes, and everything comes together so quickly.
The best part? You probably already have all the ingredients you need in your pantry right now. This dish is also called arroz con pollo. Remember that name for whenever you’re craving moist yellow rice topped with seasoned and seared chicken breasts.
To make the dish even more vibrant and flavorful, don’t forget to add in some red peppers, green peas, and even some chorizo slices if you’re into that.