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This collection of 12 Traditional Cuban Recipes to Make at Home includes well-known favorites such as the Cuban Pork Sandwich, Ajiaco, Arroz con Pollo, Picadillo, Lechon Asado, Ropa Vieja, and Croquetas de Jamon. Cuban cuisine features slow-roasted meats, rice and bean dishes, seafood, sandwiches, stews, tamales, and fried snacks. The Cuban recipes roundup also features Mojo Chicken, Mojo Shrimp, Cuban Tamales, Red Beans and Rice, and Seafood Paella, providing a varied selection of Cuban dishes for home cooks.
Many Cuban recipes use ingredients such as pork, chicken, beef, seafood, rice, beans, garlic, onions, citrus, peppers, and herbs. These Cuban recipes ingredients are prepared through roasting, simmering, grilling, frying, and slow cooking to create everything from tender shredded beef and marinated pork to hearty rice dishes and crisp croquettes. Mojo marinades commonly use citrus and garlic, while dishes such as Picadillo, Ajiaco, and Ropa Vieja each have their own distinctive ingredients and preparation methods.
Whether you are looking for a Cuban sandwich, a slow-cooked meat dish, a seafood meal, or a traditional snack, this Cuban recipes roundup offers recipes for different tastes and occasions. From Lechon Asado and Ropa Vieja to Arroz con Pollo, Tamales, and Croquetas de Jamon, these 12 Traditional Cuban Recipes to Make at Home provide an introduction to some of the best-known dishes, ingredients, and cooking methods associated with Cuban cuisine.
12 Traditional Cuban Recipes to Make at Home
1
Cuban Pork Sandwich
Cuban Pork Sandwiches feature cooked pork layered inside bread with other ingredients that vary by recipe. Depending on the specific preparation, the pork may be roasted, marinated, shredded, or sliced before being assembled into the sandwich. Cuban-style sandwiches commonly use bread with a crisp exterior and soft interior, while additional fillings may include cheese, pickles, mustard, ham, or other ingredients. The assembled sandwich may be pressed or grilled until heated through and lightly crisp on the outside. The exact preparation determines how this Cuban Pork Sandwich differs from other Cuban sandwich recipes in the full collection.
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2
Cuban Ajiaco
Cuban Ajiaco is a thick soup or stew made with a combination of meats, root vegetables, corn, and other ingredients that vary by recipe. Common components may include pork, beef, chicken, yuca, malanga, plantains, sweet potatoes, squash, and corn. The ingredients are simmered together until the meats become tender and the vegetables soften, with some vegetables naturally thickening the broth as they cook. Cuban Ajiaco is notable for combining several types of meat and starchy vegetables in one substantial dish. Exact recipes differ in their selection of meats, vegetables, seasonings, and cooking times.
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3
Cuban Mojo Chicken
Cuban Mojo Chicken features chicken seasoned with a citrus-based marinade commonly built around orange and lime juices, garlic, herbs, and spices. The chicken is typically marinated before cooking, allowing the mojo mixture to coat the meat thoroughly. Depending on the specific recipe, additional seasonings may include oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, or other ingredients. The chicken may be roasted, baked, grilled, or cooked using another method, depending on the preparation. The finished dish is served hot and may be accompanied by white rice, black beans, plantains, vegetables, or other side dishes.
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4
Cuban Arroz Con Pollo
Cuban Arroz Con Pollo combines chicken and rice in a seasoned one-pot preparation. The chicken is typically browned or cooked with aromatics before the rice and cooking liquid are added. Depending on the specific recipe, additional ingredients may include onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, peas, olives, spices, or saffron-style seasoning. As the dish cooks, the rice absorbs the surrounding liquid and seasonings while the chicken becomes tender. The finished dish is generally served hot with the chicken and seasoned rice together. Exact ingredients and preparation methods vary among Cuban family recipes and different versions of arroz con pollo.
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5
Cuban Picadillo
Cuban Picadillo is a ground beef dish cooked with tomatoes and seasonings, often including onions, peppers, garlic, olives, and raisins, although exact recipes vary. Some versions also contain potatoes, capers, or other ingredients. The ground beef is cooked with the aromatics and remaining ingredients until the meat is browned and the sauce has developed. The combination of savory beef, tomatoes, briny olives, and sometimes sweet raisins is characteristic of many Cuban picadillo preparations. The finished dish is commonly served with white rice and may also be used as a filling for empanadas, stuffed vegetables, or other dishes.
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6
Cuban Red Beans and Rice
Cuban Red Beans and Rice combines cooked red beans with rice and a seasoned mixture that may include onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and other ingredients, depending on the recipe. The beans may be cooked separately before being served with rice, or the preparation may bring components together during cooking. Some versions include pork or sausage, while others are meatless. The finished dish pairs tender beans with rice and a seasoned cooking liquid or sauce. Cuban Red Beans and Rice can be served as a main dish or as an accompaniment to meat, chicken, or other foods.
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7
Spicy Cuban Mojo Shrimp
Spicy Cuban Mojo Shrimp features fresh shrimp marinated in a citrus-based mojo made with lime, orange, grapefruit, and lemon juices, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Mexican oregano, red pepper flakes, and cumin. The shrimp marinates for 15 minutes before being cooked in a skillet for 1 to 1½ minutes per side until opaque and curled into a C shape. The reserved marinade is then boiled and reduced for approximately 6 minutes to create a sauce. The shrimp can be tossed with the reduced sauce or served with it on the side for dipping.
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8
Cuban Tamales
Cuban Tamales are made with a corn-based dough or mixture that is wrapped in corn husks and cooked until firm. Unlike some other Latin American tamales that place a separate filling inside a layer of masa, Cuban versions commonly mix seasoned pork directly into the corn mixture. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients may include onions, peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, spices, or other seasonings. The filled husks are securely tied before being boiled or steamed. Once cooked, the husks are opened to reveal a soft, moist corn mixture containing pieces of seasoned meat throughout.
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9
Cuban Lechon Asado
Cuban Lechon Asado is roasted pork traditionally seasoned with a citrus-and-garlic mojo marinade. The pork is commonly marinated with sour orange juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, and other seasonings before being slowly roasted until tender. Depending on the cut and preparation method, the finished pork may be sliced, pulled apart, or served in larger pieces. The exterior can become browned or crisp during roasting while the interior remains moist and tender. Lechon Asado is commonly served with rice, black beans, yuca, plantains, or other side dishes and is associated with celebrations and family gatherings in Cuban cooking.
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10
Cuban Seafood Paella
Cuban Seafood Paella combines seasoned rice with a selection of seafood that may include shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, squid, fish, or other shellfish, depending on the recipe. The rice cooks with broth, aromatics, and seasonings, absorbing the surrounding liquid as the seafood is incorporated. Additional ingredients may include onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, peas, saffron, or other seasonings. The finished dish is typically presented in a wide pan with the seafood arranged throughout or across the surface of the rice. Exact seafood combinations and cooking methods vary considerably between individual Cuban paella recipes.
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11
Cuban Ropa Vieja
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12
Cuban Croquetas de Jamon
Cuban Croquetas de Jamon are ham croquettes made from a thick, seasoned mixture containing finely chopped or ground ham. The mixture is cooled until firm enough to shape into small cylinders, then coated in bread crumbs and fried until crisp and golden on the outside. The interior remains soft and creamy, with ham distributed throughout the filling. Depending on the specific recipe, ingredients may include milk, butter, flour, onions, or seasonings used to form the croquette base. Croquetas de Jamon are commonly served as appetizers, snacks, or breakfast items and may be eaten alone or with other foods.
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Laurel Rodgers is a recipe collector and co-founder of World Travel Recipes. Since 2014, she and John Rodgers have traveled to 165 of the 195 countries, gathering over 5,000 recipes directly from local cooks, markets, and small restaurants. Laurel participates in cooking classes, works with host families, and documents recipes as they are prepared. She manages recipe organization and ensures each recipe is written so it can be followed in a real home kitchen.
Recipes are gathered in person and written for real-world cooking conditions.
Recipes are gathered in person and written for real-world cooking conditions.
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