10+ Puerto Rican Recipes to Savor Today

Puerto Rican cuisine is a vibrant celebration of flavors and traditions. This unique culinary style combines influences from Spanish, African, and Taíno cultures. These result in dishes that are both delicious and diverse.

You can explore a variety of recipes that showcase the heart and soul of Puerto Rican cooking.

From savory meats to sweet desserts, Puerto Rican recipes have something for everyone. Each dish tells a story and offers a taste of the island’s rich heritage. Whether you’re cooking a family meal or trying something new, you’ll find plenty of inspiring options to bring a bit of Puerto Rico into your kitchen.

1) Pernil with Crispy Skin

Pernil is a delicious Puerto Rican dish that features pork shoulder. It is known for its juicy meat and crispy skin. The key to a great pernil is the seasoning and slow cooking process.

You’ll start by marinating the pork with garlic, adobo, and spices for at least two days. This helps the flavors penetrate the meat.

When you are ready to cook, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high heat helps to create that perfect crispy skin.

Roast the pork until the skin is golden brown. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the skin to crisp up nicely.

Enjoy this flavorful dish at your next celebration or family meal!

Ingredients

• 5-7 lbs pork shoulder
• 10 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons adobo seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the pork with garlic, adobo, and spices for 2 days.
2. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
3. Place the marinated pork in a roasting pan.
4. Roast for 15-20 minutes until the skin is crispy.
5. Reduce the temperature to 325°F (163°C) and cook until tender.

2) Mofongo Stuffed with Shrimp

Mofongo is a classic Puerto Rican dish made from fried green plantains. When you stuff it with shrimp, it becomes a tasty meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

To make this dish, you’ll mash the plantains with garlic, chicharrón, and olive oil. After creating a bowl from the mofongo, you can fill it with seasoned shrimp.

These shrimp are often cooked in a savory sauce, adding extra flavor. This method results in a delightful contrast between the creamy mofongo and the zesty shrimp filling.

Ingredients

• 3 green plantains
• 1 cup chicharrón (fried pork skin)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the plantains into 1-inch pieces.
2. Fry the plantains in hot oil (around 350°F/175°C) until golden.
3. Mash the fried plantains with garlic, chicharrón, and olive oil.
4. Cook shrimp in a pan with tomato sauce and lemon juice until done.
5. Form mofongo into a bowl shape and fill with shrimp mixture.

3) Arroz con Gandules

Arroz con Gandules is a beloved Puerto Rican dish that combines rice and pigeon peas for a flavorful meal. It’s often served at special occasions and family gatherings.

The key to this dish is the sofrito, a mix of herbs and spices that adds rich flavor. You can find recipes that include chunks of pork or olives for extra depth.

This dish is not just tasty; it’s also a piece of Puerto Rican culture. Each family has their own twist, making it a unique experience every time you enjoy it.

Ingredients

• 3 cups long-grain white rice
• 1 cup pigeon peas (gandules), drained
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup sofrito
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 4 cups water
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add sofrito and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add rice, pigeon peas, water, and salt. Stir well.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover.
6. Cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving. Enjoy!

4) Tembleque Coconut Dessert

Tembleque is a delicious Puerto Rican dessert that brings the tropical flavor of coconut to your table. It’s a creamy, smooth pudding that’s easy to make.

You’ll need a few simple ingredients like coconut milk, sugar, and cornstarch. The result is a sweet treat that is perfect for any occasion.

Tembleque is often served chilled and can be topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor. It’s a dessert that everyone will love!

Ingredients

• 2 (14-ounce) cans coconut milk
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt over medium heat.
2. Whisk in cornstarch until well mixed.
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
4. Pour into molds and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
5. Serve chilled, topped with cinnamon.

5) Tostones with Garlic Aioli

Tostones are crispy fried plantains, perfect for snacking or serving as a side. Pair them with a delicious garlic aioli for a tasty twist. This combination brings out the rich flavors of both the plantains and the garlic.

To make the garlic aioli, you’ll need mayonnaise, fresh garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The creamy sauce complements the crunchy tostones very well.

You can fry the plantains until they are golden brown and crispy. Then, simply dip them in the garlic aioli for a flavorful bite.

Ingredients

• 2 green plantains
• Oil for frying
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the plantains into 1-inch thick pieces.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C).
3. Fry the plantain slices until golden, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Remove and flatten each slice slightly.
5. Fry them again until crispy.
6. Mix mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the aioli.
7. Serve the tostones hot with the garlic aioli.

6) Pastelón (Plantain Lasagna)

Pastelón is a delicious Puerto Rican dish that combines layers of sweet plantains, meat, and cheese. It’s often referred to as plantain lasagna.

To make it, you start with ripe, sliced plantains. These form the base and top layers. In between, you add a savory meat mixture, often seasoned with sofrito, which gives it lots of flavor.

Finally, cheese goes on top, making it creamy and tasty. Bake it until golden for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe plantains
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sofrito
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Peel and slice the plantains lengthwise.
3. Fry the plantain slices in oil until golden brown.
4. In a pan, cook the ground beef with onions, peppers, and sofrito.
5. In a baking dish, layer plantains, meat, and cheese.
6. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

7) Sancocho Hearty Stew

Sancocho is a delicious Puerto Rican stew that combines meat and various vegetables. This comforting dish is perfect for family gatherings or chilly nights.

You’ll typically find ingredients like beef, yuca, potatoes, and plantains in this hearty stew. The flavors come together through seasonings like sofrito and adobo.

To prepare sancocho, start by browning the meat. Then, add the chopped vegetables and let them simmer until tender. This creates a warm and inviting meal you’ll love.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef (brisket or stew meat)
• 1 medium yuca, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 green plantain, sliced
• 1 yellow plantain, sliced
• 10 ounces calabaza (pumpkin), diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• Sofrito and adobo seasoning to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown the beef over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
3. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add chopped vegetables.
5. Season with sofrito and adobo.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes (220°F / 104°C), until meat is tender.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

8) Alcapurrias (Stuffed Fritters)

Alcapurrias are a delicious Puerto Rican treat. These stuffed fritters combine a dough made from green bananas and yautía, giving them a unique texture. The fritters are usually filled with seasoned ground beef, known as picadillo.

You can find alcapurrias in roadside stands and local cafeterias, where they are loved for their crunchiness. When you bite into them, the creamy inside pairs perfectly with the flavorful filling.

To make these fritters at home, gather all your ingredients and follow the steps below.

Ingredients

• 1 pound yautía (taro root)
• 4 green bananas
• 2 teaspoons Sazón seasoning (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound ground beef (for filling)
• Cooking oil (for frying)

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and prepare the yautía and green bananas.
2. Boil until soft, then mash together.
3. Season the mixture with salt and Sazón.
4. Cook the ground beef with spices until browned.
5. Shape the dough, add filling, and form fritters.
6. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
7. Fry alcapurrias until golden brown on both sides.
8. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

9) Empanadillas with Beef Filling

Empanadillas are a delicious Puerto Rican treat. They are fried turnovers filled with seasoned beef and spices. You can enjoy them as a snack or a meal.

To make the filling, start with ground beef. Cook it in a pan with onions, garlic, and peppers. Add seasonings like adobo and Sazon for authentic flavor.

Next, prepare your dough. You can buy pre-made dough or make it from scratch. Roll it out and cut it into circles, then fill each with your beef mixture.

Seal the edges of the empanadillas tightly. Heat oil in a pan and fry them until golden brown. Enjoy these tasty treats with your favorite dipping sauce!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Sazon seasoning
• Empanadilla dough
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a pan, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
2. Add diced onions, garlic, and green pepper. Cook until soft.
3. Stir in adobo and Sazon. Mix well.
4. Roll out the empanadilla dough and cut into circles.
5. Place a spoonful of beef mixture on each circle.
6. Seal edges with a fork.
7. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
8. Fry empanadillas until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
9. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

10) Asopao de Pollo (Chicken Stew)

Asopao de Pollo is a hearty Puerto Rican chicken stew that warms your soul. It’s a comforting dish made with chicken, rice, and a special seasoning called sofrito.

You will love the rich flavors from the adobo seasoning and fresh vegetables. This dish is great for family dinners or cozy nights in.

To make Asopao de Pollo, you will need chicken thighs for tenderness. The rice adds a nice texture, making it filling and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs
• 6 cups water
• 1 potato, cut into pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup rice
• 1/2 cup green olives
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, boil the water.

2. Add chicken thighs, salt, and oregano. Cook for 10 minutes.

3. Add potatoes, olives, onion, and garlic. Simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Stir in rice and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.

5. Serve hot and garnish with cilantro.