Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway but short on vacation time? No problem! Pack your appetite and prepare for a taste of Cuba without ever leaving your kitchen. We’ve got 14 delicious Cuban recipes that will transport you to sun-soaked shores.
Plus, we’re throwing in 3 weekend-worthy dishes so good, you might just start planning a staycation.
1. Ropa Vieja: Cuba’s National Treasure
Shredded beef that looks like ‘old clothes’ (literal translation) but tastes like heaven! Slow-cooked flank steak falls apart in a tangy tomato sauce with bell peppers and onions.
The secret? A splash of white wine and a hint of cumin. This dish originated when a poor man, unable to feed his family, cooked his old clothes and prayed for a miracle.
2. Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder
Nothing screams ‘Cuban celebration’ louder than a juicy pork shoulder bathed in garlicky citrus mojo sauce. The marinade penetrates every fiber with sour orange, garlic, and oregano.
Traditionally roasted in a caja china (roasting box), this centerpiece dish transforms humble ingredients into pure magic.
3. Perfectly Crispy Tostones
Smash! That’s the sound of green plantains being flattened between two plates before their second fry.
These twice-fried plantain rounds develop an irresistible crunchy exterior while maintaining a tender center. Sprinkled with salt and served with mojo dipping sauce, tostones accompany nearly every Cuban meal.
4. Classic Cuban Sandwich
Heaven between bread! Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between buttered Cuban bread until crispy perfection.
Born in Florida’s Cuban immigrant communities, this sandwich sparked a friendly rivalry between Tampa and Miami versions. Tampa’s secret weapon? Genoa salami, a nod to Italian neighbors.
5. Hearty Black Bean Soup
Midnight-black beans swimming in a garlicky broth that simmers until velvety smooth. This humble soup packs a flavor punch from bay leaves, cumin, and a splash of vinegar at the finish.
Cuban grandmothers insist on cooking the beans with a potato to absorb impurities. Pure comfort in a bowl!
6. Picadillo: Sweet-Savory Magic
Sweet raisins dancing with briny olives in seasoned ground beef? Culinary genius! This Cuban comfort food balances sweet, salty, and savory notes in every forkful.
Capers add pops of brightness while potatoes soak up the rich tomato sauce. Some families add a touch of sweetness with diced apples.
7. Arroz Con Pollo: One-Pot Wonder
Yellow rice and chicken that captures Cuba’s soul in one pot! Bone-in chicken pieces nestle into saffron-tinted rice with bell peppers, peas, and beer (yes, beer!).
The bottom develops a coveted crispy layer called ‘socarrat’ – fight over it at your own risk. Every family guards their secret ingredient.
8. Yuca Con Mojo: Garlic Lover’s Dream
Boiled cassava roots drenched in liquid gold – that’s yuca con mojo! The starchy root vegetable soaks up a sauce of olive oil, citrus, and enough garlic to scare vampires across the Caribbean.
Simple yet spectacular. The yuca must be fork-tender but never mushy. Cuban cooks insist on removing the woody center string after cooking.
9. Crispy Empanadas De Carne
Handheld happiness! These half-moon pastries cradle a spiced beef filling that makes taste buds dance.
The contrast between flaky crust and savory interior creates pure magic. Cuban empanadas differ from their Latin cousins with a distinctive orange hue from annatto-infused dough.
10. Vaca Frita: Crispy Shredded Beef
Crispy, garlicky, limey beef that will haunt your dreams! Vaca frita (literally ‘fried cow’) transforms boiled flank steak into crispy shreds of citrus-infused heaven.
After cooking, the beef gets a bath in lime-garlic marinade before hitting a screaming hot skillet. The edges caramelize while onions soften.
11. Flan De Leche: Silky Caramel Custard
Velvet-smooth custard crowned with liquid amber caramel – Cuban flan makes grown adults weak at the knees! The secret lies in patience: low heat and a water bath.
Cuban grandmothers judge each other’s flan-making skills with surgical precision. No bubbles allowed!
12. Congri: The Rice And Bean Magic
Black beans and rice cooking together until the rice turns a mysterious grayish color – trust me, it’s incredible! This one-pot wonder absorbs all the smoky flavors from bacon and spices.
Called ‘Moros y Cristianos’ (Moors and Christians) in some regions, it references the dark beans and white rice. Every Cuban cook adds their signature touch.
13. Mariquitas: Plantain Chip Perfection
Paper-thin plantain slices fried until they sing a crispy song! Unlike their chunkier tostones cousins, mariquitas are delicate chips that shatter with each bite.
Salted while hot and often served with mojo or garlic-vinegar dipping sauce. Warning: these disappear faster than you can fry them!
14. Rabo Encendido: Fiery Oxtail Stew
Fall-off-the-bone oxtail swimming in a sauce so rich it should be illegal! This slow-cooked masterpiece requires patience but rewards with meat that surrenders at the touch of a fork.
The sauce’s complex flavor comes from tomatoes, wine, and Cuban spices. Traditionally served over white rice to soak up every drop of that magnificent sauce.
15. Papas Rellenas: Stuffed Potato Bombs
Mashed potato spheres hiding a savory picadillo surprise, then fried to golden perfection! These crispy-outside, soft-inside potato bombs are Cuba’s favorite party food.
The trick? Chilling the formed balls before breading and frying.
16. Tres Leches Cake: Milk-Soaked Heaven
Sponge cake drunk on three milks – evaporated, condensed, and regular – topped with clouds of whipped cream. Each forkful delivers a sweet milk explosion that defies gravity.
The cake somehow maintains structure while completely saturated. Cuban bakers debate the perfect soaking time – some prefer a center that’s still fluffy.
17. Tamales Cubanos: Corn Parcels Of Joy
Fresh corn masa stuffed with seasoned pork, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed to perfection! Cuban tamales differ from Mexican versions with a softer texture and distinctive seasoning.
The masa contains bits of corn kernels for extra texture. Unwrapping these fragrant parcels releases an aroma that transports you straight to Havana.