Cuban food is a blend of many diverse influences including Native American, Spanish, French, African, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Caribbean cuisines. The fact that Cuba is an island makes seafood one of the staples, along with rice, beans, fried plantains, and meats (chicken, pork, and sometimes beef). Meats are often marinated in citrusy marinades and then roasted over low heat until they’re tender and falling apart.

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The tropical climate conditions ample usage of fruits and veggies, with a special accent on root vegetables like yuca, boniato, and malanga. These vegetables are often flavored with a traditional marinade called mojo.

Traditional Cuban cooking relies on several basic spices, such as garlic, oregano, cumin, and bay laurel leaves. Many dishes use rice as a base and ‘sofrito’, a mixture consisting of green pepper, onion, oregano, garlic, and ground pepper fried in olive oil, to give Cuban foods their signature flavor.

We have selected the best traditional Cuban foods that are sure to WOW you.

Cuban Sandwich

The fact that Cuba has an abundance of delicious authentic foods doesn’t change the fact that Cubano sandwich has a special place in our hearts. Cubano is a classic sandwich composed of five key ingredients – boiled ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard, all tucked in a griddled white Cuban roll. To give this ‘wich that extra special texture, use a panini press.

Ropa Vieja

Even though beef is not commonly eaten in Cuba, one of the most popular traditional dishes is made with beef. The name of this Cuban food translates as “old stuff” and refers to shredded beef slowly cooked with onions and tomatoes, then served on a bed of white rice. A delicious & fulfilling meal that requires minimum efforts. What more could you wish for?

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con pollo is the national dish of Cuba. The name of this dish translates as “rice with chicken” and the resemblance to paella is a clear indicator of its Spanish roots. This simple Cuban food is a one-pot wonder filled with flavors. The use of spices like cumin and saffron give the rice its signature golden hue. Make more than you plan to eat and enjoy the leftovers for a few days in a row

Rice and Beans

The combination of rice and beans cooked together or apart appears in a number of varieties throughout the country. For instance, congrí, also called Moros y Cristianos, is white rice and black beans cooked in garlic, spices, and oil. If the two ingredients are cooked separately, the dish is called “Arroz con frijoles” (rice with beans).

Pernil Relleno, is a pork shoulder marinated in orange juice, oregano, garlic, and pepper, then stuffed with rice & beans and baked in the oven. More modern varieties replace rice with quinoa, whereas others add tropical fruits like mangoes, cantaloupe, or pineapple.

Mojo-Marinated Pork Shoulder

Pernil Asado con Mojo is pork shoulder soaked in a mojo marinade. Mojo is a very popular mixture made with garlic, orange or lime juice, olive oil, fresh oregano, ground cumin, and salt. It can be used as a marinade and/or sauce for pork, chicken, and shrimp recipes.

For instance, besides the pork shoulder from the recipe above, it is often used to marinate Lechon Asado (roasted pork), the favorite Cuban holiday dish. Mojo can also be poured over yuca potatoes for a quick snack if you’re having an unexpected company you want to impress.

Chorizo Stew

This stew is just one example of how Cubans incorporate their version of chorizo into various dishes. Another example is Chorizo and Corn Strata, sweet corn sautéed with chorizo (casing discarded), then combined scrambled eggs and served with bread.

Frita, a.k.a. Cuban hamburger, is a bun with a minced chorizo patty, or beef patty paired with chorizo, and topped with French fries. And finally, chorizo can be added to Arroz con Pollo. Oh, yes, Cubans add chorizo on top on their pizza (read all about it below)!

Chicharrón

Chicharrón is a dish based on fried pork belly or fried pork rinds. However, it can also be made from mutton, beef, or chicken (like the recipe we offer). These Chicharrones de Pollo are actually chicken thigh pieces marinated in a lime, garlic, and rum mixture, then covered in flour and fried to a crispy perfection.

Cuban Pizza

Although pizza hardly comes to mind when talking about Cuban food, we believe that Cubans have really taken this traditional Italian dish to a whole new level. How is Cuban pizza different? Firstly, the dough’s a little thicker and the tomato-based sauce is a little bit sweeter than we’re used to. Secondly, the dough is often seasoned with a blend of spices or by adding the sauce directly into the dough!

As far as toppings are concerned, start with cheese. Cubans love to top their pizzas with gouda alone or pair it with another type of cheese like mozzarella. Then, the meat. Opt for ground chorizo, fried lobster, bacon, or lechon. Some recipes call for sweet plantains as well. Cuban pizza is baked in a charcoal oven, then served crustless and uncut. Just fold it over and eat!

Picadillo

Picadillo which translates as “mince” is a dish similar to hash which appears in Spain and many Latin American countries. In Cuba, it is also called Arroz a la Cubana. It is based on ground beef, and tomatoes or tomato sauce. The rest of the ingredients varies by region. The Cuban version often contains eggs, plantains, potatoes, raisins, and olives. Serve it with plain rice.

Churros

We can’t stop thinking about churros since we first tasted them in Spain. Cubans have their own version, which is a bit fluffier. Cuban churros are often described as sweet breadsticks, which means that, unlike the Spanish counterpart, they’re straight. In addition, often come with a filling inside (most often fruit like guava). Pair them with café con leche , hot chocolate, or for a completely authentic experience, pair them with Cuban dulce le leche – soured milk that’s curdled and then sweetened.

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Bonus: Mojito

Havana is the birthplace of this amazing summer cocktail composed of five ingredients – white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint, all gently mashed with a muddler. Mojito has a very low alcohol content so, decorate your glass with mint leaves and lime wedges, sit back, and enjoy!

I believe that food should not only taste good, but make you feel good as well and that is why I am so interested in exploring ingredients, preparing meals, and finding ways to make the whole cooking experience fun and exciting! Being a blogger for MyGreatRecipes unites my two passions – food and writing, and I am enjoying every second of it!