It’s almost hard to talk about Puerto Rican recipes, that’s how much I love them. What we have going on here is a totally unique mash-up of Caribbean, Spanish, West African, and American cooking that just sings.
Question: Are classics like mofongo and sofrito a perfect place to start? Answer: Yes. Every single dish is a one-of-a-kind blend, with bites full of amazing herbs and spices.
And the desserts? Heavenly doesn’t even begin to cover it. You’ll be cleaning your plate just to get to the sweet stuff faster!
But there’s so much more to Puerto Rican food than just the big names. So, I’ve pulled together 14 recipes for you. Let’s explore all the flavor, from breakfast all the way to dessert!
1. Bacalaitos
Let’s talk about these golden-brown fritters! Bacalaitos are a famous street food, and for good reason.
They are just light, simple, pancake-shaped little beauties loaded with fish, herbs, and all kinds of seasonings.
And the best part? You can get these on the table in about 30 minutes flat. The flavor is so bold and fresh, it’s just delightful.
Pair them with an ice-cold beer and you are living your best life.
Just a little pro-tip: you’ll want to soak the codfish in cold water overnight, changing the water three times to make sure they aren’t too salty.
2. Jibarito
Who doesn’t love a sandwich? Okay, weird question, but this one is a real game-changer.
Say hello to the Jibarito, a Puerto Rican-style sandwich that ditches the bread for two perfectly fried plantains. YEP. You heard that right.
I won’t be surprised if you say this recipe is out-of-this-world tasty, because it is!
You can fill these with anything your heart desires, from steak to fish to chicken.
Then just pile on the lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, and that amazing mayo-ketchup. Now that’s what I call an impressive snack!
3. Pernil
Calling all pork lovers! Pernil is here and it is NOT messing around. This is a slow-roasted pork shoulder that’s marinated and seasoned to the absolute max.
It’s a classic for Christmas Eve dinner, served up with salad, rice, beans, or plantains.
Want to know the secret to making it unbelievably good? You’ve got to marinate it overnight, add some sofrito for that extra flavor punch, and then bake it until it’s so tender it just falls apart. Wow.
4. Tostones
Okay, first things first, you’re going to need some plantains. What are those? They’re part of the banana family but are starchier and have less sugar, so they stay green even when they’re ripe.
Now, let’s talk tostones. These are rounds of plantain that get fried twice.
The process is so simple you could memorize it. You fry them, smash them flat, and then fry them again until they reach crispy perfection. It’s my favorite.
5. Puerto Rican Papas Rellenas
Meat and potatoes come together in this recipe to create the most amazing crispy croquettes filled with a ground beef hash.
In Puerto Rico, this dish is also known as relleno de papa. They are little golden, tender, warm balls of joy and comfort that you could seriously get hooked on.
Here’s the secret for an extra crunchy exterior: coat the potato balls in raw egg, roll them in breadcrumbs, and then fry them until they’re perfectly golden!
6. Carne Molida
Carne Molida is Puerto Rico’s take on Picadillo, and it is everything. We’re talking about mildly-spiced ground beef mixed with a flavor-packed tomato sauce and veggies.
You can find different versions of this dish in Cuba, Mexico, and the Philippines.
But for me? Puerto Rico’s is the winner. The Carne Molida is just so incredibly flavorful, and I honestly can’t get enough of that meaty sauce.
Even the veggies become a delight after they soak up all that saucy goodness.
7. Coquito
You know it’s Christmastime in Puerto Rico when you see glasses of Coquito on the table. This drink is a bit like eggnog with rum, but it’s coconut-based.
It’s sweet and creamy, and yes, you can definitely get a little tipsy! You want this drink to have a really good flavor, so don’t forget to add some cinnamon sticks.
A little tip: let your coquito hang out in the fridge. The longer it sits, the more delicious it gets. So feel free to make it a few days before your party!
8. Tembleque
A pudding flavored with coconut is just irresistible. And that’s what we have here, another creamy pudding featuring that lovely tropical element of coconut.
Tembleque means “wiggly,” and that perfectly describes this dessert. The pudding is thickened until it’s just slightly firm.
What you get is a custard-like texture that jiggles when you shake it.
Just sprinkle some dusted cinnamon on top, serve it cold, and enjoy every bite!
9. Habichuelas Guisadas
This is where Mediterranean ingredients meet Puerto Rican flavors, all in one stewed beans recipe. And the result?
An earthy, well-spiced dish that is just perfect with some white or yellow rice.
It’s an ideal combo if you’re thinking about a meatless dinner night.
For this dish, all you need to do is stew the beans in a tomato-based broth, season it with Puerto Rican staples, and then mix in oregano, bay leaves, and olives.
It’s so easy, and you’ll be finished in under an hour.
10. Puerto Rican Chicken Stew
If soup and paella decided to have a baby, this would be it.
Also called Asopao de Pollo, this chicken stew is an invitation to enjoy a bowl of juicy chicken thighs mixed with all sorts of seasonings and veggies.
And there’s rice in there, which gets so plump and creamy, so you just know you’re in for a filling meal!
The soup-like consistency of Asopao also makes it a wonderful meal to warm you up on those chilly winter nights.
Serve it with coquito, a coconut-based punch, for a full Puerto Rican-themed dinner party.
11. Bistec Encebollado
Bistec Encebollado might sound like a really complicated dish to put together. But hold on, let me tell you that this recipe is just steak and onions.
Yes, it’s that simple, and so flavorful, thanks to some Puerto Rican staples like sofrito, adobo, and sazon. This beef stew is best friends with white or yellow rice.
And if you want to have a full-on Boricuan meal, serve this stew with the country’s national dish, Arroz Con Gandules.
12. Mofongo
Mofongo is one of those wildly popular Puerto Rican recipes. It’s made with green (unripe) plantains that are mashed up with pork rinds, garlic, and olive oil.
Traditionally, you’ll see mofongo served as a side dish with fried meat or roasted pork. I personally love having it with a hot chicken soup.
For a little fancy twist and some extra flavor, you can shape your mofongo into small balls and drop them right into your soups or stews.
13. Arroz Con Dulce
After all those savory dishes, I’m sure you’re ready for something sweet and different. But Arroz con Dulce is way more than your typical dessert.
It’s a sticky and creamy rice pudding made with coconut and raisins.
The flavor of this dessert gets even more amazing when it’s infused with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Feel free to add your own twist by playing with other spices or changing up their amounts.
14. Sofrito
Sofrito is a big deal in the US, with a history that goes all the way back to the 1400s.
It’s a green puree made from aromatic ingredients that are cut into tiny pieces and then sauteed in oil.
It’s used to bring Caribbean dishes to life with herbs and spices, adding so much flavor to beans, stews, rice, and meats.
With fresh cilantro, onions, tomato, bell peppers, and garlic all puréed to perfection, you’ll have a powerhouse base for so many meals!