Craving an escape to a land of unique flavors? Look no further!
I’ve compiled a list of 20 incredible Venezuelan recipes that will transport your taste buds. It’s time to get ready to explore the magic of South American cuisine!
1. Venezuelan Chicken Pot Pie
This pot pie is sure to turn any frown upside down with its delicious comfort. Known as polvorosa de pollo in Venezuela, I must confess that their version is truly superior.
Aside from the rich and flavorful chicken stew, it’s the crust that makes the Venezuelan chicken pot pie stand out. Called “polvorosa,” meaning “dust” in Spanish, the crust boasts a wonderfully soft and delicate texture.
2. Papelón con Limón
Another fantastic Venezuelan thirst-quencher, Papelon con Limon is the perfect drink for a hot day. Combining limes, papelon, and water will give you an incredibly refreshing drink. What on earth is a papelon, you ask?
Also called piloncillo and panela, it’s a type of unrefined sugar cane that’s commonly used all over Latin America. Even though it can be tricky to find, the sweet result is definitely worth the effort.
3. Perico (Venezuelan Scrambled Eggs)
I realize scrambled eggs don’t usually evoke a feeling of excitement. However, these Latin American scrambled eggs are truly unique.
The mixture of onion, tomatoes, and red peppers makes them one of a kind. No matter if you pair them with rice, load them onto arepas, or enjoy them all by themselves, you can’t go wrong.
4. Venezuelan Arepas
A visit to Venezuela just wouldn’t be complete without sampling their classic arepas. These corn cakes boast a crispy exterior, a tender interior, and are filled with yummy goodness. Whether you fill them with beans and cheese, ground meat, or scrambled eggs, the beautiful flavor harmony in your mouth is undeniable.
This simple recipe walks you through how to cook arepas using three different methods. Regardless of whether you grill, bake, or fry them, the results are phenomenal.
5. Pabellon Criollo (Venezuelan Meat, Rice, and Beans)
I’ve made passing mention of pabellon criollo, but now’s the time to dive into exactly what makes this dish so special. This just so happens to be the country’s national dish, so prepare for something special.
Pabellon criollo includes pulled beef, black beans topped with shredded white cheese, white rice, and sweet plantains. Every component lends a distinct flavor, and when combined, creates a harmonious meal. Sliced avocado is also commonly added.
6. Venezuelan Coconut Smoothie
Just the thought of savoring this drink makes me feel instantly refreshed. I can almost smell the ocean breeze and hear the swaying palm trees. Known as cocada, this delicious drink contains fresh coconut milk, coconut meat, and sweetened condensed milk.
It’s garnished with cinnamon and even more condensed milk. It requires little effort and delivers maximum flavor! Tropical paradise awaits you.
7. Venezuelan Cheese Sticks (Tequenos)
Imagine mozzarella sticks, but ten times better. This favorite Venezuelan finger food includes a stick of queso blanco that’s coated in dough and fried or baked to perfection.
After cooking, the dough becomes a crunchy and tender sweet bread, which seals in the gooey white cheese. They taste incredible all on their own, but are even more amazing when paired with a dipping sauce like guasacaca.
8. Cachapas (Venezuelan Corn Pancakes)
Cachapas are simply divine pancakes created from fresh corn batter and loaded with fresh corn kernels. Much like traditional pancakes, cachapas can be topped with butter, cheese, as well as various spreads and jams. They are also great with savory sides, such as ham, beef, or deep-fried pork rinds.
This common breakfast item is served everywhere from fancy restaurants to roadside stands.
9. Quesillo (Venezuelan Flan)
If you’re all about creamy and milky desserts, then you have to try some quesillo. Many different cultures lay claim to a version of custard. The French refer to it as creme caramel, the Spanish call it flan, while in Venezuela, it’s known as quesillo.
Milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla combine to make a velvety, smooth quesillo. Topped with a drizzle of sweet and sticky syrup, it makes a great ending for any meal.
10. Papitas De Leche (Venezuelan Milk Truffles)
For those who are already fans of traditional truffles, prepare to be amazed by papitas de leche! What did I do to deserve something so incredible? Papitas de leche, which means “little milk potatoes,” are little bites of melt-in-your-mouth creamy goodness that will blow your mind.
Amazingly, this recipe only calls for three simple ingredients: powdered milk, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar.
11. Venezuelan Pasticho
This is the Venezuelan take on lasagna, and believe me, it’s absolutely wonderful. The layers of al dente lasagna noodles and bolognese sauce already make for a delicious dish, but the pasticho has even more to offer.
A rich and buttery bechamel sauce creates yet another layer of flavor. Parmesan and mozzarella combine to create a rich, creamy, and addictive result.
12. Venezuelan Sweet Plantains
Plantains are a common part of Venezuelan cooking because they’re easy to find. While they’re usually used as an ingredient or a side, they really stand out in this recipe.
Plantains get deep-fried in oil and butter, and they’re finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The sugar becomes a hard and crunchy shell when cooked, which coats the tender plantains. You have to try these to understand how awesome they are!</p
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13. Venezuelan Chicha (Rice and Milk Drink)
It’s refreshment time! What better way to beat the heat on a hot day than with a frosty glass of chicha? It’s smooth, creamy, and simply divine.
The popular Venezuelan beverage is produced by soaking and cooking rice in cinnamon-infused water and combining it with various types of milk. If you are having trouble imagining the flavor, it’s similar to a drinkable rice pudding.
14. Alfajores
Make just one bite of these cookies, and you’ll absolutely fall in love. The alfajores are shortbread sandwiches with a dulce de leche filling.
These soft and crumbly cookies practically melt in your mouth, while the dulce de leche provides a perfectly sweet yet slightly salty flavor. All together, the ingredients blend to make a truly irresistible dessert. Try to stop at eating just one!
15. Casabe (Cassava Bread)
If you’re trying to stay healthy, this is the bread to reach for. Made from cassava flour, casabe is a crispy flatbread. Unlike traditional bread, this option provides lots of fiber while being fat and cholesterol-free.
You can eat casabe any time of day in so many ways. No matter if you eat it as-is, use it to soak up soups and stews, or put a slather of spread on it, you’re sure to enjoy it.
16. Venezuelan Chocolate Marquesa
If you need a simple dessert, this recipe has you covered. Chocolate Marquessa is a simple, guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s ideally suited for special occasions.
This no-bake cake has layers of Marie biscuits soaked in chocolate milk and chocolate buttercream. Maria biscuits are popular in Europe and Latin America for their ability to maintain their shape after being soaked in liquid.
17. Venezuelan Guasacaca (Avocado Sauce)
Guasacaca is a creamy sauce that makes everything taste better. Guasacaca, prepared with mashed avocados, is basically Venezuela’s spin on guacamole!
This tasty condiment is seasoned with spices and herbs, making it a wonderful spread, dressing, dip, and sauce. Use it on burgers, steaks, tacos, hot dogs, and potatoes to experience what a difference it makes.
18. Venezuelan Black Beans
Black beans are a key component of Venezuelan cuisine. They are a favorite side dish to many different entrees, such as pabellon criollo, the country’s national dish.
For this recipe, dried black beans are slowly cooked in chicken stock enhanced by Worcestershire sauce, molasses, cumin, onion, and garlic. The inclusion of bell peppers adds color, while the bacon creates a distinctive smoky flavor.
19. Venezuelan Chicken Salad
This is nothing like your usual leafy salad. In fact, this Venezuelan chicken salad doesn’t have leafy greens at all. Rather, you’ll find a wonderful mixture of mashed avocados and shredded chicken.
The addition of herbs and spices enhances the rich and creamy salad with a lovely earthy flavor contrast. No matter if you savor it on its own, or as a filling to sandwiches and wraps, you simply can’t go wrong.
20. Asado Negro
Asado negro is made of beef cooked until it is so tender, it melts in your mouth. It’s then coated in a rich wine-infused broth.
A mixture of bay leaf, oregano, carrots, onions, bell peppers, and sugar adds to the flavor of the broth. Then, the mixture is pureed until it becomes a thick sauce, coating the beef beautifully. Served with white rice or mashed potatoes and some sweet plantains, asado negro is pure Venezuelan comfort food.