Puerto Rican and Caribbean-Inspired Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 popular Puerto Rican foods? ›

Some of the favorites are mofongo, tostones, pasteles, arroz con gandules, tembleque, and coquito.

Puerto Rican cuisine is a product of diverse cultural influences, including Taíno Arawak, Spanish Criollos, and Africans. It is characterized by a unique blend of Spanish seasonings and ingredients, which makes it similar to Spanish and other Latin American cuisines. Locally, it is known as cocina criolla.

Puerto Rico's rich and unique culinary heritage links back to three main influences: Spanish, native tribes to the island and Western Africans.

Arroz con gandules is widely recognized as one of the national dishes of Puerto Rico, often served alongside pernil – roasted pork – at festive times throughout the year.

Puerto Rico's National Drink: The Piña Colada.

Typically a Puerto Rican dinner consists of rice, beans, meats, and stews. Mainly cooked in a heavy kettle or caldero. One of the most popular dinners includes beefsteaks, or in other words “bistec”. The beef is marinated in adobo, a mix of salt, garlic, black pepper, and oregano.

In fact, several popular Puerto Rican dishes date back to African influences including mofongo, bacalaitos, and pasteles. “Some of Puerto Rico's mouthwatering delicacies date back to our African roots and are favored among the locals as well as tourists visiting the island,” said local Chef Ecuajei.

1. Arroz con Guandules. Bursting with flavor and creamy to the point of astonishment, this dish is Puerto Rico's famous edition of the good ole' rice and beans combo — a staple in almost every Latin American cuisine. Arroz con Guandules is rather plain in perspective as it can appear to just be rice and beans.

Why is Puerto Rican food all fried? ›

Enslaved people from Africa influenced food preparation in Puerto Rico, especially the practice of frying foods. Food stands offer fried foods because they can be prepared ahead of time, and can be easily eaten with hands.

(Viandas) The tropical root vegetables (Yautías, Yucas or Ñames) are a staple in the Puerto Rican culture. The cooked root vegetables are served like a potato and accompanied with meat or fish. Boiling is the most common method used for cooking the root vegetables.

Quesitos are Puerto Rico's most popular treat and can be found almost everywhere – from bakeries to coffee shops and even supermarkets.

The holiday menu in Puerto Rico includes local favorites like pernil, arroz con gandules, pasteles, tembleque, and arroz con dulce.

Quesitos are Puerto Rico's most popular treat and can be found almost everywhere – from bakeries to coffee shops and even supermarkets.

Puerto Rican food is highly seasoned, but not spicy. Common herbs and spices include oregano, bay leaves, garlic, parsley, cilantro, culantro, basil and Caribbean thyme. With so many flavors, the meals can be delicious without adding salt.