I’m so excited to walk you through 19 Latin foods that are about to become your new favorites. Every single dish is a beautiful mashup of African, Asian, European, and Native American influences, which means the flavors are just out of this world. Get ready for meals you’ll be thinking about long after the plates are clean.
1. Pão de Queijo
Pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese puffs, are basically bite sized balls of heaven. I’m telling you, it’s love at first bite.
They’re made with tapioca flour, milk, eggs, and Parmesan, which gives them this rich, cheesy, completely addictive quality. I dare you to stop at just one. Just look at those adorable little golden orbs, you already know they’re amazing.
2. Paçoca (Brazilian Peanut Candy)
Last on the list but definitely not least, we have paçoca, a traditional Brazilian candy. It’s a soft, crumbly confection made from crushed peanuts, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Just three humble ingredients, yet the result is absolutely phenomenal. It’s the kind of treat you’ll find yourself making on repeat.
3. Brazilian Chocolate Fudge Truffles (Brigadeiros)
Dessert time, my absolute favorite part of any meal! Brazilian brigadeiros are these little fudge truffles that are both sinful and heavenly.
I seriously cannot resist them. Sweetened condensed milk and rich cocoa powder come together to create a silky, decadent bite, and a touch of butter gives them that gorgeous glossy shine. Pure magic.
4. Carne Guisada
Carne guisada is a Colombian beef stew that’s loaded with tender meat, tomatoes, and scallions. It simmers in beer (I reach for a light Mexican lager) with cumin, garlic, and fresh cilantro.
The result is rich, hearty, and 100% delicious. The beef gets so impossibly tender it practically melts on your tongue. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
5. Arepa
Arepas are little round cornmeal cakes that I could eat any time of day. Grill them, fry them, bake them, it honestly doesn’t matter, they’re awesome every way.
There are so many delicious versions across Latin America. Venezuelan ones are small and thick, while Colombian arepas lean sweet, thin, and are stuffed with cheese. Perfection.
6. Romeu e Julieta (Brazilian Romeo and Juliet)
Romeu e Julieta is a Brazilian dessert that is absolutely to die for. It’s simply cheese paired with guava paste, and that sweet and salty combo is everything my taste buds dream about.
I know it sounds almost too simple, but I promise the flavor is mind blowing. It’s a little slice of tropical heaven.
7. Peruvian Fried Rice
Arroz chaufa, or Peruvian fried rice, is another vibrant dish loaded with personality. Imagine fluffy rice tossed with bites of chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and yes, hot dogs.
How can anyone resist that combo? It’s equally perfect as a main or a side, and it brings the party every single time.
8. Tamales
Tamales have a reputation for being fussy, but this recipe makes them totally doable. The dough gets steamed inside a corn husk or banana leaf until soft and tender.
Usually you’ll find meat, cheese, or fruit tucked inside, but here we’re switching it up with a luscious bean dip and cheese filling. It’s cozy, a little unexpected, and so satisfying.
9. Arroz con Tres Leches (Colombian Rice Pudding)
Arroz con tres leches is Colombian rice pudding cooked with three glorious milks: condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream. It’s as creamy and hearty as dessert gets.
The best part? It couldn’t be simpler to whip up. When a homemade sweet craving hits and you want zero fuss, this is your answer.
10. Ropa Vieja
Ropa vieja is a Cuban classic that is absolutely bursting with flavor. I mean it, you really need to try this.
The name literally translates to “old clothes” because the shredded beef and colorful veggies look like a pile of soft, vibrant rags. We’re talking tender shredded beef tangled with carrots, onions, bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, celery, olives, pimientos, capers, and so much more. It’s a total flavor bomb.
11. Empanadas de Pino (Chilean Beef Empanadas)
I know empanadas get pinned as a Spanish thing, but Latin America has its own incredible spins. These Chilean empanadas de pino are stuffed with a savory beef filling dotted with hard boiled eggs, briny olives, and sweet raisins.
I hear some of you side eyeing the raisins in a savory pocket, but trust me, it works. The combination is ridiculously good, and they’ll disappear fast.
12. Tres Leches Cake
If you’re just starting out with baking, I can’t recommend this cake enough. Tres leches is impossibly easy and practically foolproof.
You poke a simple sponge cake all over and drench it in a mixture of three milks: condensed, evaporated, and heavy cream. So even if the cake is a little dry or dense, that luscious soak transforms it into something incredibly moist. It’s pure genius.
13. Brazilian Rice
At first glance, it looks like plain steamed rice, but please don’t let that fool you. This is Brazilian rice, and it’s anything but ordinary.
The magic starts with sautéed onions and garlic, which sounds so simple, right? But oh my goodness, the flavor they bring to those tender grains is everything. It transforms bland white rice into something incredibly savory and delicious.
14. Cafe Con Leche
Cafe con leche is essentially coffee with steamed milk, but trust me, there’s nothing basic about it when you do it right. The secret is starting with really good coffee, strong and freshly ground.
Oh, and the water matters too, so skip the tap and use quality water for the best cup. It’s a simple morning ritual that feels like a warm hug.
15. Mexican Street Corn
For me, elote is hands down the ultimate way to enjoy corn. Ears of corn get char grilled until smoky, then slathered in a creamy sauce and showered with crumbly Cotija cheese.
How could anyone resist that? The colors, the textures, the flavors… it’s a perfect 10 in every single category.
16. Galinhada (Brazilian Saffron Chicken and Rice)
The name comes from “galinha,” the Portuguese word for chicken, but this one pot wonder is so much more than that. Tender chicken simmers with rice and veggies until everything is perfectly cozy.
That stunning golden color and intoxicating aroma? All thanks to saffron, that luxurious little spice that makes every grain sing. It’s simple, hearty, and completely unforgettable.
17. Cuban Stuffed Peppers
Cuban stuffed peppers are tasty, healthy, and incredibly easy, my friends. If you need a quick dinner to slide into your weekly rotation, this is the one.
Sweet bell peppers get packed with Cuban picadillo, that seasoned ground beef and rice mixture, then finished with a bright, refreshing salsa. Even people who claim to hate veggies will be back for more.
18. Tostones
Tostones are crispy, salty little discs of fried green plantain goodness. You slice them into rounds, smash them flat, and fry them until they’re beautifully golden.
Imagine potato chips, but even more irresistible. The gentle sweetness of the plantain paired with that salty seasoning is absolutely on point.
19. Churros
I couldn’t possibly round up Latin favorites without shining a light on churros. These classic treats are golden and crispy on the outside, yet soft and tender inside.
Each deep fried stick gets a generous coating of cinnamon sugar, and you absolutely dip them in warm chocolate sauce. It’s the kind of snack that makes any day better.