The 35 BEST Puerto Rican Recipes (2024)

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Puerto Rican cuisine is one of our favorites. With their seasoning trinity of sofrito, sazon and adobo, it’s inevitable that their food would be amazingly tasty.

To help you recreate these tropical flavors in your own kitchen, we’ve compiled this list of Puerto Rican Recipes from GypsyPlate and around the internet.

From their hearty soups and stews, roasted and grilled meats, rice preparations, plantain dishes and more, you’ll find it all here.

Try cooking all of these great Puerto Rican dishes, you’re going to love these flavors!

The Best Puerto Rican Recipes:

1. Carne Guisada

We’re starting this list of great Puerto Rican recipes with our own delicious Carne Guisada. So much flavor in every single tender meat chunk. Why not? There is plenty of their famous flavor enhancers like sofrito, Sazon, and adobo.

Try this delicious hearty beef stew tonight and I know you are going to bookmark this for life.

Get the Recipe: Carne Guisada

2. Bistec Encebollado (Steak & Onions)

Bistec Encebollado, Puerto Rican steak and onions, is one of the most popular meals in Puerto Rico.

Simple in soul, it’s is packed with flavors.

Get the Recipe: Bistec Encebollado

3. Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo, meaning rice with chicken, is a popular staple in Caribbean kitchens. There are plenty of variations, but this one made using authentic Puerto Rico seasonings is our favorite.

This flavorful and hearty Arroz con Pollo recipe is a great family meal.

Get the Recipe: Arroz Con Pollo

4. Asopao de Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

Asopao de Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) is a comfy cozy soup with tons of amazing flavors. It is Puerto Rico’s national soup.

It’s a one pot meal with protein, rice and plenty of veggies. Perfect meal for a cold winter night, and absolute comfort food for your loved ones.

Get the Recipe: Asopao de Pollo

5. Puerto Rican Pinchos De Pollo (Chicken Kabobs)

Meet your new favorite summer grilling recipe!

Pinchos De Pollo are chicken skewers seasoned with Puerto Rican spices and then grilled to perfection. You’ll want to have these all summer long.

Get the Recipe: Pinchos De Pollo

6. Puerto Rican Beef Sancocho

Sancocho is a traditional Latin stew. This Puerto Rican Beef version is packed full of ingredients like beef, corn, plantains, sweet potatoes and more.

One of the most popular Puerto Rican dishes, it’s a serious stew that’s meant to feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Sancocho

7. Tostones

These famously twice-fried green plantain discs are crunchy crisp on the outside with a softer inside.

All you need is a sprinkling of sea salt on top and stack a heap of them along with some dipping sauce for unlimited snacking. Great party appetizer contender!!

Get the Recipe: Tostones

8. Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork)

Pernil is the traditional centerpiece on Puerto Rican Christmas spreads, though variations are also found throughout the Caribbean.

A whole pork shoulder is marinated in garlic, herbs and other great Latin seasonings overnight, then, it’s slow roasted for hours until the meat is fall off the bone tender, and the skin is amazingly crispy and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Pernil

9. Arroz con Gandules

This Arroz con Gandules recipe may be my new favorite rice dish! Tender rice with pigeon peas, generously flavored with salted pork, sofrito, tomato sauce and some great Latin seasonings.

Along with pernil (roasted pork), this is the national dish of Puerto Rico. It’s such a great side dish to have in your repertoire, as it goes well with so many things.

Get the Recipe: Arroz con Gandules

10. Puerto Rican Picadillo

Puerto Rican Picadillo recipe is a perfect weeknight meal. It is a very traditional home-style dish cooked in Puerto Rico and many other Latin American countries

Basically, it is a well seasoned ground meat mixture, and it is very versatile.

Get the Recipe: Picadillo

11. Asopao de Camarones

Asopao de Camarones is a Puerto Rican shrimp and rice stew that is brimming with flavor from their usual flavor enhancers.

It’s a wonderful comforting dish that will make you remember why you love Puerto Rican food so much.

Get the Recipe: Asopao de Camarones

12. Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Beans)

This Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Beans) are the tastiest beans you will ever eat, seasoned with tomato, sofrito, sazon and adobo.

Once you try your beans the Puerto Rican way, you may never eat them any other way again…

Get the Recipe: Habichuelas Guisadas

13. Puerto Rican Sofrito

Sofrito is the must have flavor enhancer to keep on hand for any Puerto Rican dish.

This luscious green base can create wonders in your kitchen, believe me when I say that. Picadillo, pollo guisado, empanadas… those Latin favorites are just around the corner when you have this in your repertoire.

Get the Recipe: Sofrito

14. Mofongo

Mofongo is one of the most common Puerto Rican dishes, made by mashing fried green plantains with garlic and pork cracklings.

It is used as a side, or stuffed with meat dishes to make a complete meal. It’s on every menu in Puerto Rico.

Get the Recipe @ foodfidelity

15. Chuletas Fritas (Puerto Rican Pan-Fried Pork Chops)

These Puerto Rican Pan-Fried Pork Chops, or Chuletas Fritas, are tender, juicy and super flavorful. The key is to season them with a generous hand.

It’s a quick and easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to put together. Enjoy with tostones, and arroz con gandules for the ultimate meal.

Get the Recipe @ senseandedibility

16. Puerto Rican Flan

Flan is a dessert that is popular all over Latin America, including Puerto Rice. It’s a rich, caramel topped custard that only requires a few ingredients.

This Puerto Rican Flan is great for parties, potlucks and get togethers, as everyone will be drawn to it.

Get the Recipe @ salimaskitchen

17. Chuletas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Pork Chops)

This Chuletas Guisadas recipe results in the most tender, succulent pork chops you can image.

Stewed with peppers and onions, along with all the great flavor enhancers Puerto Rico is known for, this recipe is a sure winner.

Get the Recipe @ mexicanappetizersandmore

18. Puerto Rican Chillo Frito

Puerto Rican Chillo Frito recipe is a popular restaurant menu dish. Well seasoned and marinated red snapper is pan fried until the outside is crispy, and the inside is flaky and tender.

You can enjoy this Chillo Frito with various side dishes like tostones or rice.

Get the Recipe @ keeshaskitchen

19. Bacalaitos

Bacalaitos are an immensely popular street food in Puerto Rico. These salt cod fritters are perfectly crisp and packed with flavor.

They’re easy to make in your own home, and make a great party appetizer to make in bulk.

Get the Recipe @ latinamommeals

20. Jibarito (Plantain and Steak Sandwich)

Jibarito is a unique Puerto Rican style sandwich using fried plantains instead of bread.

It’s loaded up with steak garlic mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. You’re going to love this fun sandwich variation!

Get the Recipe @ thenoshery

21. Rellenos de Papa (Picadillo-Stuffed Potato Fritters)

Rellenos de Papa (Picadillo-Stuffed Potato Fritters) are going to be your new favorite finger food!

Flavorful picadillo is coated in mashed potatoes, dredged in cornstarch, then fried perfectly crisp. Perfect Puerto Rican snack or party appetizer.

Get the Recipe @ senseandedibility

21. Puerto Rican Oxtail Stew

Oxtail Stew is a staple comfort food all over the Caribbean, and this is the most delicious version of all.

Beef oxtail, corn, potatoes and Puerto Rican seasonings are all simmered till the meat is melt in your mouth tender. Serve with rice for a hearty family meal everyone will love.

Get the Recipe @ latinamommeals

23. Puerto Rican Empanadas

Puerto Rican empanadas are one of the tastiest handheld meals you will ever eat. Picadillo is stuffed inside a pastry shell, which is fried crisp.

They’re great for lunch, or just snacking on any time.

Get the Recipe @ mexicanrecipesandmore

24. Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”)

Pastelón is kinf of like the Puerto Rican version of lasagna. Thinly sliced sweet plantains, ground meat and cheese are layered into a casserole, then baked.

It’s the perfect casserole which is cheesy and amazingly delicious. Great meal for a potluck or family gathering.

Get the Recipe @ simplyrecipes

25. Coquito

Coquito is a classic Puerto Rican drink, commonly served during the holidays. You will absolutely love it if you are a fan of coconut and rum.

Get the Recipe @ delishdlites

26. Yuca Frita (Yuca Fries)

These crispy Yuca Frita (Yuca Fries) are a staple Puerto Rican side dish.

Yuca is a tropical root vegetable that is a staple source of carbs in many parts of Latin America and Asia. In this form, they are made into giant fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Get the Recipe @ thenoshery

27. Pavochon

Give your Thanksgiving feast a makeover with this Pavochon, a Puerto Rican style turkey that has been well marinated before roasting. It’s the most succulent and flavorful turkey you have ever eaten.

It is meant to mimic the flavors of pernil.

Get the Recipe @ latinamommeals

28. Mofongo con Carne Frita

Mofongo con Carne Frita is one of the star dishes of Puerto Rican cuisine. Mashed fried green plantain (mofongo) is topped with carne frita (fried pork chunks).

It makes a delicious meal for your loved ones, so get ready to enjoy this Caribbean delicacy.

Get the Recipe @ mexicanrecipesandmore

29. Camarones a la Criolla

Camarones a la Criolla is one of the tastiest shrimp stews you will ever come across. The ingredients are surprisingly simple, which gives the plump shrimp a chance to stand out.

This famous Puerto Rican dish is one of our favorites.

Get the Recipe @ mystayathomeadventures

30. Pina Colada

Said to have been invented in San Juan in 1978, the Pina Colada is just about the official beverage of Puerto Rico.

This tropical island pleasure is a great cool down on a hot day.

Get the Recipe @ willcookforsmiles

31. Churrasco (Skirt Steak)

Perfectly grilled, marinated skirt steak topped with a fresh and flavorful chimichurri sauce… That’s Churrasco, one of the most popular beef dishes around Latin America.

It’s the perfect dish for your upcoming barbeques and summer cookouts.

Get the Recipe @ asassyspoon

32. Croquetas de Jamón

Croquetas de Jamón, or ham croquettes, are one of the most popular snacks around the country.

Crispy fried logs made of hams and crackers make the most delicious, savory bites you can imagine.

Get the Recipe @ thenoshery

33. Puerto Rican Shrimp Ceviche

Puerto Rican Shrimp Ceviche is light and fresh summer appetizer. It is a classic Puerto Rican recipe that makes a great dipper for chips and crackers.

Get the Recipe @ mexicanappetizersandmore

34. Puerto Rican Pollo Fricassee (Chicken Fricassee)

Chicken Fricassee, also known as chicken in a pot, is a traditional chicken stew from Puerto Rico.

This hearty Puerto Rican stew has chicken, potato, carrots, olives and corn in a flavorful savory broth.

Chicken Fricassee is absolute comfort food, which can be made on stovetop or in the slow cooker.

Get the Recipe @ delishdlites

35. Pollo Guisado

Pollo Guisado, the beloved chicken dish that everybody from Latin Caribbean islands grew up on.

This version has chicken, potatoes, carrots, spices and olives, cooked until tender.

Get the Recipe @ kitchengidget

So many great Puerto Rican recipes to cook. No wonder it’s one of the most famous cuisines in the world!

Pin or bookmark this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

Check out these other recipe collections!
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Caribbean Recipes
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35 BEST Puerto Rican Foods

This collection of easy Puerto Rican Recipes includes all of the classic main, stews, sides and more. For an essential side dish, perfect these crispy tostones:

Ingredients

• 4-5 unripe plantains
• 1 cup oil
• Sea salt

Instructions

1. Peel plantains and cut into 1 - 1½ inch slices.
2. Heat oil in skillet to 325°F.
3. Fry plantains 4-5 minutes, flipping half way through.
4. Remove from skillet and smash to about 1/2 inch thick. Return to pan a fry and additional 3 minutes.
5. Place tostones on paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with sea salt.

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