Learn how to make classic recipes for Cuban food (and some Cuban-inspired favorites, too)!
14 Delicious Cuban Food Recipes That Are Simply Irresistible
Updated on Feb. 05, 2024
Creamy Caramel Flan
A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida
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Cuban Ropa Vieja
Total Time
7 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love having this as a go-to recipe for a weeknight meal. Its great authentic Cuban taste puts it at the top of my list. —Melissa Pelkey-Hass, Waleska, Georgia. Serve this dish with this delicious Cuban breeze cocktail.
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups (calculated without rice): 335 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
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Easy Cuban Picadillo
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My girlfriend gave me this delicious recipe years ago. I’ve made it ever since for family and friends, and they all love it. My daughter loves to take leftovers to school for lunch the next day. —Marie Wielgus, Wayne, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 363 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 683mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
Cuban Coffee
Cuban coffee, known as cafe cubano or cafecito, is a staple in Cuban cuisine. Jamie from A Sassy Spoon enjoys her recipe after almost every meal. (and typically served after every meal). How is it different than other coffee drinks? Well, Cuban coffee combines strong espresso with a thick sugar foam—which gives it a sweet taste.
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Imperial Rice
A Sassy Spoon compares imperial rice, or arroz imperial, to lasagna. Imperial rice has layers chicken, rice, mayo and cheese making it the ultimate Cuban comfort food dish. It’s the perfect dish to serve for gatherings or parties—just bake and serve!
Check out these other comfort food recipes from around the world!
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No-Fuss Avocado Onion Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother, Nena, grew up in Cuba and learned many styles of cooking. She had a knack for making something incredibly simple taste amazing. This salad is proof. By itself, the dressing is really tart, but add the avocados and onions and it’s the perfect complement. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 147 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1/2 starch.
Cuban Fried Beef
Vaca frita, meaning “fried cow,” is prepared just the way you would think: Cook it up until it’s crispy! Traditional Cuban fried beef is shredded and seasoned with onions, lime juice and a variety of seasonings. This Cuban fried beef recipe from For the Love of Sazon, with the help of your trusty pressure cooker, can be whipped together in less than an hour.
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Air-Fryer Papas Rellenas
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A Cuban classic, these satisfying, crispy-coated potato balls are filled with a savory ground beef mixture known as picadillo. We love this papas rellenas recipe! —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 72 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 205mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Cuban Black Beans
What makes Cuban black beans stand out is the sofrito, a sauce made of green peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes and herbs. It’s widely used throughout many Caribbean countries to enhance the flavor of many dishes—from black beans to rice dishes like this arroz con grandules recipe. This Cuban black bean recipe from Latina Mom Meals uses sofrito and just a handful of other simple ingredients.
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Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
16 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
I lived in Florida for a while and loved the pork I ate there, so I started making it for myself. The flavorful meat makes amazing Cuban sandwiches, but you can also use it in traditional pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. —Lacie Griffin, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 619 calories, 31g fat (13g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 1257mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 50g protein.
Guava Cheese Pastries
Flaky, fruity guava cheese pastries (pastelitos de guayaba) are a traditional Cuban baked good that’s typically served at breakfast time or as an after-dinner treat. A Cozy Kitchen‘s recipe calls for storebought puff pastry which makes it even easier to make this classic Cuban sweet at home.
Try out these other puff pastry desserts next!
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Cuban Chicken and Rice
A Sassy Spoon shared her mom’s take on Cuban arroz con pollo (or Cuban chicken and rice) with us and you need this traditional one-pot meal in your life. Similar to imperial rice, Cuban chicken and rice is made with chicken, rice, tomatoes, peppers and an array of spices.
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Cuban Yuca
If you’ve never had yuca before, it’s similar to a potato in flavor, but a little lighter in texture. In Cuba, yuca is a common side dish served with other Cuban specialties. This oven-roasted yuca recipe from A Cuban American Kitchen uses garlic, onion, lime and spices to get its simple, yet savory flavor.
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Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Mojito Sauce
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up in South Florida, my culinary taste buds were influenced dramatically by the Cuban culture here. Infused with Cuban flavor, this twist on slow-cooked pulled pork is knock-your-socks-off good, whether you serve it up with rice and beans on the side or press it into a classic Cuban sandwich. — Kristina Wiley, Jupiter, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup meat mixture with 2 tablespoons sauce: 409 calories, 29g fat (6g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 575mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
