Cuban cuisine is built around rice, beans, vegetables, chicken, pork and tropical fruits. While cooking on the island has become austere under Castro, the expatriate community in southern Florida has kept Cuban cuisine alive and vibrant. La cocina cubana, like most Caribbean cooking, has been influenced by a wide variety of sources — Spanish, African, Taino, even Chinese. Sofrito and alcaparrado season many dishes. Ropa vieja, moros y cristianos, paella, Cuban sandwiches and roast pork are popular dishes.
Typical Cuban Dishes
A list of typical Cuban dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Cuban-style meal, party or festival.
Appetizers
- Croquetas de Jamón (Ham croquettes)
- Mariquitas (Plantain chips)
- Papa Rellenas (Stuffed potato balls)
- Tostones (Fried plantains)
Soups and Stews
- Ajiaco (Beef stew)
- La Caldosa (Meat and vegetable stew)
- Sopa de Frijoles Negros (Black bean soup)
- Sopa de Plátanos (Plantain soup)
Salads
- Ensalada Mixta (Mixed green salad)
Sandwiches
- Sandwich Cubano (Pork and cheese sandwich)
Poultry
- Arroz con Pollo (Chicken with rice)
- Pollo al Bloqueo (Blockade chicken)
- Pollo en Fricasé (Chicken fricassee)
Meats
- Bistec de Palomilla (Cuban fried steak)
- Boliche (Stuffed pot roast)
- Chorizo (Spicy pork sausage)
- Lechon Asado (Roast pork)
- Picadillo (Ground beef hash)
- Ropa Vieja (Shredded beef)
- Vaca Frita (Flank steak fried with onions)
Fish and Seafood
- Langosta Criolla (Lobster braised in chili sauce)
- Pargo a la Criolla (Red snapper in creole sauce)
Vegetables and Beans
- Congri (Red beans and rice)
- Fufu (Mashed plaintains)
- Moros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice)
- Yuca Frita (Cassava fries)
Breads and Grains
- Congri (Red beans and rice)
- Congri Orientál (Yellow rice with beans)
- Media Noche (Grilled ham and cheese sandwich)
- Moros y Cristianos (Black beans and rice)
- Paella (Rice with chicken and seafood)
- Pan Duro (Crusty bread)
Sauces, Condiments and Oils
- Achiote (Annatto oil)
- Alcaparrado (Seasoning mix of olives, raisins and capers)
- Mojo (Garlic sauce)
- Salsa Criolla (Tomato-onion-pepper sauce)
Preserves
- Mermelada de Guayaba (Guava marmelade)
Desserts
- Bunuelos (Fried figure-eight donuts)
- Churros (Deep-fried pastry dough)
- Coco Quemado (Coconut pudding)
- Cucurucho (Coconut candy)
- Guayaba con Queso (Guava with cheese)
- Natilla (Caramel custard)
- Pan Dulce (Sweet rolls)
Beverages
- Batidos (Fruit milkshakes)
- Café (Strong, sweet coffee)
- Cuba Libre (Rum and cola with lime)
- Guarapiña (Fermented pineapple juice)
- Guarapo (Sugarcane juice)
- Mojitos (Rum, lime and mint cocktail)
Cuban Recipes
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