25 Perfect & Popular Cuban Recipes To Try Out

Popular and tasty Cuban recipes you must try include Cuban cube steak, Cuban beef cigars, vaca frita, Camarones enchilados, Latin yellow rice, Cuban mojo potatoes, mini Cubano sandwich skewers, Cuban roast pork, Cuban red beans, and Cuban mojo sandwich.

Cuban cuisines are flavorful, fresh, and filling, perfect for any occasion while providing an unforgettable gourmet experience. Here are our 25 easy-to-make and must-try Cuban specials.

Quick Table: Cuban Recipes

Recipes	Calories Per Serving	Preparation Time
Latin Yellow Rice	193	5 Minutes
Cuban White Bean Soup	449	15 Minutes
Cuban Cube Steak (Bistec De Palomilla)	561	4 Minutes
Cuban Spaghetti Recipe	550	10 Minutes
Cuban Beef Cigars	222	120 Minutes
Cuban Mojo Potatoes	124	15 Minutes
Vaca Frita(Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)	344	15 Minutes
Cuban Ham Salad	150	5 Minutes
Seafood Paella	345	10 Minutes
Papas Rellenas (Cuban Meat Balls)	160	30 Minutes
Cuban Picadillo	473	15 Minutes
Camarones Enchilados	294	15 Minutes
Ropa Vieja Vegan Recipe	165	20 Minutes
Tostones (Fried Green Plantain)	116	10 Minutes
Cuban Arroz Con Pollo	652	10 Minutes
Mini Cubano Sandwich Skewers	135	20 Minutes
Keto Cuban Chicken Fricassee	615	10 Minutes
Cuban Salad	536	20 Minutes
Cuban Red Beans	342	15 Minutes
Cuban Roast Pork (Lechon Asado)	412	50 Minutes
Bistec Empanizado (Cuban Breaded Steak)	439	20 Minutes
Cuban Ham Croquettas (Croquetas De Jamón)	136	15 Minutes
Cuban Coconut Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche De Coco)	251	10 Minutes
Mojo Pork Cuban Sandwiches	1089	15 Minutes
Cuban Pizza	447	20 Minutes

1. Latin Yellow Rice

Latin yellow rice is a Cuban gourmet recipe perfect as a side dish to delicious garlic shrimp, pollo sabroso, black beans, and grilled steaks.

Full of aromatic seasonings, this delicious fluffy rice dish will awe your family with its incredible taste and texture and will hook them in no time.

Calories Per Serving: 193

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

2. Cuban White Bean Soup

The traditional Cuban white bean soup is a staple across most Cuban houses due to its simplicity and incredible taste.

This mouth-watering delight made with white beans, ham hocks, minced garlic, white onions, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and bay leaves will spice your dinner table.

Calories Per Serving: 449

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

3. Cuban Cube Steak (Bistec De Palomilla)

The savory, flavorful, colorful Cuban cube steak is an easy-to-make Cuban culinary masterpiece worth your time.

Full of great spices, this tender and tasteful culinary delight features tangy lime juice, tender cube steaks, creamy butter, crushed garlic, onions, and pepper flakes. 

Calories Per Serving: 561

Preparation Time: 4 Minutes

4. Cuban Spaghetti Recipe

Imagine a bite of colorful and creamy Cuban spaghetti overflowing with flavor and decadent culinary goodness.

The Cuban spaghetti dish made with spaghetti, ground beef, bell peppers, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, dry white wine, olive, and Parmesan cheese, will deliver a culinary knockout.

Calories Per Serving: 550

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

5. Cuban Beef Cigars

If you fancy a creative, flavorful, and filling Cuban culinary masterpiece, look no further than the Cuban beef cigars.

The savory picadillo meat mixture in this Cuban specialty effortlessly combines with the baked filo dough to create a Cuban culinary masterpiece.

Calories Per Serving: 222

Preparation Time: 120 Minutes

6. Cuban Mojo Potatoes

Mojo potatoes are a Cuban staple, enjoyed all over the Island due to their incredible taste and delicate texture.

This simple Cuban culinary delight is loaded with flavors and contains potatoes drenched in a creative mix of seasonings and charcoal baked with garlic, lime, olive oil, and onions.

Calories Per Serving: 124

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

7. Vaca Frita (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)

The vaca frita is a popular and flavorful Cuban culinary specialty that will blow you away.

With every bite, this culinary delight full of boiled potatoes and shredded flank beef provides an explosion of flavor. This delectable Cuban dish requires flank beef, bay leaves, lime juice, garlic, pepper, and white onions to prepare.

Calories Per Serving: 344

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

8. Cuban Ham Salad

Try the delicious Cuban ham salad for a simple, healthy, filling salad.

Full of minced meat, mayo, deli mustard, swiss cheese, and dill pickles, this flavorful Cuban culinary masterpiece is the perfect sandwich filling or side dish.

Calories Per Serving: 150

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

9. Seafood Paella

The creative and colorful seafood paella is the perfect Cuban seafood platter.

This delicious seafood platter with tasty lobster tails, jumbo shrimps, littleneck clams, mussels, frozen seafood medley, veggies, and an explosive mix of spices will knock your socks off. 

Calories Per Serving: 345

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

10. Papas Rellenas (Cuban Meat Balls)

For the ultimate party finger food or pick-me-up snack, try the incredibly delicious, tender, and crispy Cuban meatballs.

Full of ground beef, crunchy potatoes, whole milk, spice, herbs and seasoning mix, eggs, and breadcrumbs, this simple but flavorful Cuban delight will be the life of your party.

Calories Per Serving: 160

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

11. Cuban Picadillo

The Cuban picadillo is a  tasty, traditional cuisine made with roasted potatoes and lean ground beef.

Made with an interesting mix of spices, seasonings, herbs, and pantry staples, this traditional Cuban special, is best served with a plate of steaming, fluffy Cuban rice.

Calories Per Serving: 473

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

12. Camarones Enchilados

Camarones enchilados (spicy shrimp) is a flavorful and easy-to-make Cuban delicacy with fresh and tasty shrimp as its star ingredient.

This seafood delight made with giant shrimps, bay leaves, black pepper, cajun seasoning, Worcester sauce, cloves, white wine, tomato sauce, paprika, and garlic is an island special you’ll love.

Calories Per Serving: 294

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

13. Ropa Vieja Vegan Recipe

The vegan ropa vieja is an exciting and healthy alternative to the traditional beef ropa vieja dish.

This crunchy and flavorful low-carb island special features bell peppers, white onions, garlic, jackfruit, diced tomatoes, coriander, bay leaves, and smoked paprika fried to a crunchy finish.

Calories Per Serving: 165

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

RELATED: 23 Traditional Cuban Desserts

14. Tostones (Fried Green Plantain)

Tostones (fried plantain) is a famous, traditional Cuban cuisine valued for its rich taste and flavor.

The simple tostones made with tasty plantains, canola oil, and salt to taste is the perfect side dish for all your savory Cuban stews and main dishes.

Calories Per Serving: 116

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

15. Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

Tasty, colorful, and filling best describe the Cuban arroz con pollo (Cuban chicken and rice) dish.

Full of flavorful seasonings, soft chicken pieces, all-purpose flour, and long grain rice, this delicious one-pot Cuban comfort food is a valuable addition to your culinary repertoire.

Calories Per Serving: 652

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

16. Mini Cubano Sandwich Skewers

Fancy delicious, bite-sized party starters that you can make ahead? The mini Cubano sandwich skewers are simple and delightful skewers perfect for your next party or game night.

Made with thick sliced ham, kosher baby dill, and cheese cubes, the delectable skewers will not disappoint.

Calories Per Serving: 135

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

17. Keto Cuban Chicken Fricassee

The low-carb, slow-cooked Cuban fricassee chicken dish is a famous Cuban special that delivers excellent flavor and great texture for an unforgettable culinary experience.

This dish full of soft chicken pieces, ground pepper, cumin powder, bell peppers, tomato sauce, dried oregano, half cherry tomatoes, green pimento olives, and dry white wine perfectly captures Cuba’s soul.

Calories Per Serving: 615

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

18. Cuban Salad

The fresh, healthy, and colorful Cuban salad is an excellent accompaniment to any Cuban dish.

Full of fresh veggies and black beans, this crunchy and delectable Cuban culinary masterpiece is best served with a plate of steaming rice or crusty Cuban bread.

Calories Per Serving: 536

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

19. Cuban Red Beans

The widely popular Cuban red beans (frijoles colorado) are a delightful and simple Island special that prominently features in most Cuban kitchens.

Made with red kidney beans, pork hocks, sliced chorizo, and a heavenly mix of herbs and spices, this simple yet filling red bean dish is the perfect entree or side dish for all your needs.

Calories Per Serving: 342

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

20. Cuban Roast Pork (Lechon Asado)

Cubans love their pork, and nowhere is it more evident than this delightful and flavorful roast pork classic.

Full of spices and seasonings, the Lechon Asado is the perfect main dish for game nights, picnics, cookouts, or special occasions.

Calories Per Serving: 412

Preparation Time: 50 Minutes

21. Bistec Empanizado (Cuban Breaded Steak)

The bistec empanizado is a flavorful Cuban recipe that merges excellent flavors, great aromas, and incredible texture.

This simple yet hearty Cuban breaded steak is an easy-to-make culinary delight that will spice your dinner table. Full of flavored sirloin steaks, cracker meals, eggs, milk, and all-purpose flour, this Cuban delicacy is worth your attention.

Calories Per Serving: 439

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

22. Cuban Ham Croquettas (Croquetas De Jamón)

Cuban ham croquettes are simple, tasty, and filling appetizers perfect for your next party or as a snack.

These heavenly bites of goodness made with standard pantry staples, including ham, milk, butter, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and pepper, will soon become your go-to snack.

Calories Per Serving: 136

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

23. Cuban Coconut Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche De Coco)

You can never go wrong with the creamy, delicious, and filling Cuban coconut rice pudding. This Caribbean culinary masterpiece with a rich, colorful and exquisite island flavor is easy to make and features island staples. 

This dish containing long grain rice, creamy coconut milk, cinnamon, toasted coconut flakes, and granulated sugar will awe your senses.

Calories Per Serving: 251

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

24. Mojo Pork Cuban Sandwiches

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The mojo pork Cuban sandwich is in a class of its own and offers an unforgettable culinary experience.

This simple yet insanely flavorful Caribbean delight, from its thick and crunchy crust to its delectable fillings, is sure to give you a foodgasm.

Calories Per Serving: 1089

Preparation Time: 15 Minutes

25. Cuban Pizza

Do you love pizza? If you do, this recipe is for you. Cuban pizza offers a tasty and creative twist to the traditional pizza recipe.

The simple Cuban pizza recipe uses standard island ingredients featuring lime, cumins, pork shoulders, freshly cracked pepper, orange juice, orange zest, and lime juice.

Calories Per Serving: 447

Preparation Time: 20 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Are The Best Cuban Recipes?

Cuban recipes are colorful and full of flavor. Popular Cuban cuisines include rice and black beans, fried pork dough, Cuban tamal, fried ripe bananas, yellow rice with chicken, mojo pork Cuban sandwiches, and fried beef. 

What Are The Most Famous Cuban Spices And Seasonings?

Popular spices and seasoning that you’ll find in Cuban kitchens include garlic, coriander, bay leaves, parsley, cinnamon, cilantro, oregano, pepper, cumin, onions, and lime.

What Are The Staple Cuban Foods?

Cuban food staples include pork, plantain, rice, yucca, black beans, potatoes, island vegetables (carrots, okra, cabbage, lettuce), and seafood, including shrimp and Mahi Mahi filets. Popular everyday Cuban dishes include the Cuban sandwich, rice and beans, and meat or vegetable stews.