24 Wonderful Puerto Rican Recipes

Are you ready to go on a culinary adventure into the world of Puerto Rican cuisine? Experience a fusion of Spanish, African, and other culinary influences that combine to create a unique blend of flavors that will satisfy your appetite. The best part? The recipes are fun to follow and require simple ingredients, making exploring these delicious dishes a breeze. Get ready to enjoy meals featuring succulent chicken, mouthwatering plantains, flavorful tomato paste, fragrant coriander, savory seafood, and a blend of adobo and sazon seasonings that will leave you wanting more.

From savory crescent turnovers to umami soups and fried meats, there are many dishes to enjoy. We love all of the options on this list, but the recipes that include plantains are especially delicious, like the Jibaritos (plantain sandwiches) and fried plantains which you can enjoy for a snack. We highly recommend trying a Puerto Rican steak, chicken, or pork dish for your next meal. Not only are these healthy options, but they also provide comfort and are sure to please a crowd. Take a closer look and see which dish catches your attention!

1. Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

Here is a dish that's incredibly easy to whip up because it doesn't take much time or skill. It’s a well-known Puerto Rican street food! The recipe uses boneless skinless chicken thighs, combining adobo, oregano, garlic, and achiote. With a hint of BBQ sauce, the chicken has a nice smoky undertone. Enjoy these tasty chicken skewers with freshly grilled vegetables or tender rice!

2. Puerto Rican Fried Chicken

Food Metamorphosis shared this delicious Puerto Rican recipe for all the fried chicken fans out there. You’ll love how juicy this chicken is while also having a crisp exterior. The only ingredients for this dish are chicken drumsticks, adobo, sazon, and a few other seasonings. Use fresh lemon to give it a pleasant citrus twist. We recommend you serve this with your favorite grain to have a balanced dish!

3. Pastelillos de Carne (Puerto Rican Meat Turnovers)

Are you in the mood for a savory pastry? Look no further than these Puerto Rican turnovers! Serve these as an appetizer, snack, or part of your main course. The main elements of the dish are ground beef, tomato sauce, garlic, green olives, and cilantro. To make these pastries extra easy, use the frozen turnover dough, accelerating the process. Don't forget to drain the turnovers after you cook them, so they aren't oily!

4. Puerto Rican Carne Guisada

Kitchen Gidget shared a Puerto Rican beef stew recipe with tender carrots and potatoes; you have to give it a try! When you make it, cook all the ingredients and savory gravy, giving it a deeper flavor. There are many ways to serve this; have it by itself or pair it with a side of rice or noodles. We suggest you top it with avocado slices to freshen it and add color to the dish!

5. Authentic Puerto Rican Arroz Con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo is a classic dish with nourishing ingredients such as peas, peppers, olives, chicken, and rice. You can create a gorgeous presentation with it by serving the browned chicken on a bed of rice and topping it with lively herbs such as cilantro. For best results, use chicken drumsticks which you can season with adobo and sazon. It's no doubt that your family will eat every bite.

6. Asopao De Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

Puerto Rican cuisine surely has plenty of options for satisfying stews. This specific recipe uses chicken instead of beef. It also has carrots, bell peppers, celery, rice, and olives. To give it a zesty feel, squeeze some fresh lime juice atop it before serving. Sprinkle on some tortilla strips for added texture. This meal is perfect for nights when you want to stay in and cozy up on the couch!

7. Puerto Rican Vegan Bacalaitos

Here is a scrumptious recipe by The Hungry Dragonfly, suitable for people who follow a plant-based diet. This snack is super common as street food in Puerto Rico. It uses hearts of palm and turns them into vegan crispy fritters. It also has adobo seasoning, nori sheets, flour, baking powder, and seasonings. Cook the fritters in oil and drain them for the best texture. You can dip them into a sauce or enjoy them as is!

8. Platanos Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)

Here's a Puerto Rican snack that is also fried, but it uses plantains instead of hearts of palm. To make it healthier, you can always adjust the recipe to make it in the air fryer! Since plantains have a natural sweetness, you can enjoy this as a dessert or an after-school snack with the kids. The best part? You only need two ingredients! You can bring this incredible food to life with black plantains and butter!

9. Stewed Beans (Habichuelas Guisadas)

Are you tired of eating beans the same way every time? Switch up your side dish by making these Puerto Rican-style stewed beans with layers of flavor. The recipe uses red kidney beans, bacon, butternut squash, and capers. The sofrito and tomato sauce combine with the other ingredients to taste heavenly. You can serve these beans with your favorite type of meat or use them in a rice bowl.

10. Chuleta Frita

Finding a pork chop recipe that turns out perfectly tender can be tricky, but this recipe does just that. These Puerto Rican fried pork chops have adobo seasoning to give them a kick of flavor. You can also use garlic, oregano, and olive oil to complement the adobo. For best results, marinate the pork overnight. You can cook them in the air fryer for healthier cooking. We recommend that you serve them with rice, beans, or veggies.

11. Pernil

What is pernil, you ask? This is another Puerto Rican dish that involves pork, except this one is slow-roasted pork shoulder. This slow-cooked meat is a showstopper at holidays and gatherings, but you can make it whenever you want. You only need pork shoulder, garlic, bell peppers, and onions. Of course, there are plenty of seasonings involved too! Serve the pork with fresh orange wedges (or lime) for a fancy display and tasty undertone.

12. Vegan Puerto Rican Spaghetti

Plant-Based and Broke has a recipe for Puerto Rican spaghetti that also happens to be vegan! It has a true authentic Puerto Rican flavor with hints of adobo, tomato paste, bay leaves, and sazon. Use Gardein beefless ground pieces to replace the meat, or if you don't want it to be vegan, use regular ground beef. This recipe makes six hefty servings; if you have leftovers, it's just as delicious the next day!

13. Bistec Encebollado (Puerto Rican Steak and Onions)

Steak, onions, and garlic are a match made in heaven. This Puerto Rican recipe uses thinly sliced beef steak and rings of onions, which is incredibly appetizing. Make sure to cover the meat while it cooks so it remains juicy! While it is relatively quick to cook, the most time-consuming part is marinating the ingredients. So, it does take some planning ahead. We suggest you do the marinade the night before so it's ready to go.

14. Pastelón

Plantains in a casserole? Yep, and it’s as delicious and unique as it sounds. The plantains add a subtle sweetness to the otherwise savory lasagna-like meal. Some of the main ingredients include olives, onions, bell peppers, and cheese. There are different variations of this meal, so not everyone includes cheese. You can always use reduced-fat cheese to keep it healthy! We suggest you serve this as your next get-together. It will definitely be a hit!

15. Puerto Rican Empanadas

Empanadas with the Puerto Rican twist will make your taste buds dance. These empanadas contain flavorful ingredients such as juicy ground beef, tender potatoes, and yummy seasonings. They also have Monterey Jack cheese and olives to complement the meat. Make them ahead of time and freeze them, then pop them in the microwave whenever you are craving a snack! We suggest dipping them in some type of salsa.

16. Puerto Rican Camarones Enchilados

This shrimp Creole meal is Puerto Rican style, so you can rest easy and know that it has plenty of flavor. This recipe requires bell peppers, onions, capers, bay leaves, and more. For best results, use medium shrimp and decorate the final product with fresh cilantro and lime juice from wedges. We suggest you pair it with traditional white rice to keep it classic! The seafood dish makes four servings.

17. Puerto Rican Beef Sancocho

Here's another Puerto Rican-style stew that is full of hearty vegetables and beef. We love how chunky this stew is, and you don't need to worry about chopping the sweet potato, Yucca, beef chuck roast, or carrots into small pieces. You can leave them in big cubes. It gives a mouth-watering look, and it ensures that your hunger is satisfied. Top the rich stew with something like Greek yogurt or possibly light sour cream.

18. Puerto Rican Picadillo

If you’re unfamiliar with picadillo, it’s a ground beef dish you can serve in many ways. However, Gypsyplate, the recipe creator, suggests serving it with rice and black beans. You can put fresh slices of avocado and plantain on it to give it more body. The recipe has ground beef, onions, peppers, raisins, and numerous seasonings to amplify the flavor. This meal only takes half an hour from start to finish, so it's perfect for busy families!

19. Instant Pot Puerto Rican Beef Barbacoa

If you've never tried true beef barbacoa, you are missing out. Try this recipe to see for yourself just how delicious it is. Fortunately, you can make it in the Instant Pot, which makes it effortless. All you need is a chuck roast, sofrito, and a few other ingredients. The apple cider vinegar and brown sugar are much needed in the marinade for a tender final product. Serve the barbacoa in small soft tortillas for delicious tacos.

20. Vegan Puerto Rican Tacos

It's not difficult at all to make Puerto Rican food plant-based. These tacos are similar to empanadillas, except, of course, they don't use meat. Instead, the recipe calls for plantains, garlic, beefless crumbles, and tomato sauce. You can use vegan or regular cheddar cheese, depending on your preferences. Make the dough homemade, or buy premade dough to make it easy! We suggest you plate the stuffed tacos with fresh guacamole.

21. Puerto Rican Pinchos

These Puerto Rican pork skewers are almost too good to be true. The meat becomes browned and slightly charred on the outside but remains perfectly tender on the inside. It's easy to serve these skewers to a crowd because of how they are portioned. This isn't a recipe you should necessarily rush since the longer you marinate the meat, the more flavor it has. Once it's ready to cook, heat them on the grill and enjoy.

22. Puerto Rican Party Sandwiches

These adorable sandwiches are great for children’s birthday parties or Sunday brunches. Use classic white sandwich bread and create a cheesy filling for the center. For instance, the ingredients are cheese dip, cream cheese, pimentos, and chopped lunch meat. You can also include pimento-stuffed olives if you wish! Slice the sandwiches into tiny triangles for a pretty presentation.

23. Puerto Rican Macaroni Salad

Here's a Puerto Rican dish that is great for the summertime when you want a cold meal. This macaroni salad is anything but boring. In fact, you won't believe how phenomenal it is. It has a little bit of everything, with hints of spam, onions, Spanish olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Use elbow macaroni or experiment with different pasta shapes. If you want something healthier than spam, use fresh deli meat and chop it up before you toss it in the salad.

24. Jibaritos (Puerto Rican Plantain Sandwiches)

For this unique sandwich, you use plantains in place of sandwich bread! The filling has seasoned steak, lettuce, and tomato. You can include cheese, too, if you wish. We love the combination of savory steak and sweet plantains because it isn’t your typical lunch. We suggest you serve it with a side salad or even one of the Puerto Rican soups on this list!

As a bonus, I'll leave you with one of my favorite recipes for arepas (which are frequently used in Puerto Rican cuisine).