15 Must-Try Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes

15 Must-Try Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a rich and diverse cuisine. The food is a blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, and it’s full of flavor. If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic taste of Puerto Rico, then you need to try these 15 must-try traditional dishes. From hearty rice dishes to flavorful fritters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!

1. Arroz con gandules (Rice with pigeon peas)

Portorricensis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This is Puerto Rico’s national dish. It is made with rice, pigeon peas, sofrito, and other spices. It is often served with chicken, pork, or seafood. It is typically enjoyed during special occasions, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Arroz con gandules is perfect for a winter meal

Ingredients

• White rice
• Pigeon peas
• Sofrito (a mixture of garlic, onions, peppers, and tomatoes)
• Spices (such as oregano, cumin, and salt)

To prepare arroz con gandules, the pigeon peas are cooked in water until tender. The sofrito is then added to the pot and cooked until fragrant. The rice is added and cooked according to the package directions. The spices are then added and the dish is cooked until the rice is fluffy.

2. Mofongo 

This is a dish made with mashed plantains, garlic, and pork rinds. It can be served plain or with chicken, seafood, or vegetables. It is typically enjoyed as a main course or as a snack. 

Ingredients 

• Green plantains
• Garlic
• Pork rinds
• Oil
• Salt

To prepare mofongo, the green plantains are peeled and boiled until tender. They are then mashed with garlic, pork rinds, and oil. The mofongo is then seasoned with salt to taste.

3. Pernil (Roasted pork shoulder)

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Pernil is a mouth-watering slow-roasted pork shoulder that’s seasoned with garlic, oregano, and other spices. It’s a must-try for any pork lover. It is often served with rice, beans, and salad. It is typically enjoyed during special occasions, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve. 

Ingredients 

• Pork shoulder
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Spices (such as cumin, salt, and pepper)
• Oil

To prepare pernil, the pork shoulder is rubbed with a mixture of garlic, oregano, and spices. It is then roasted in the oven at a low temperature for several hours, until it is tender and falling apart.

4. Pastelón (Puerto Rican lasagna)

Pastelón is a layered dish of plantains, ground beef, cheese, and other ingredients. It is a Puerto Rican lasagna that is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• Plantains
• Ground beef
• Cheese (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
• Other ingredients (such as olives, raisins, and eggs)

To prepare pastelón, the plantains are sliced and fried. The ground beef is cooked with onions, peppers, and garlic. The cheese is shredded. The other ingredients are prepared as desired. The plantains are then layered with the ground beef, cheese, and other ingredients. The pastelón is then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Empanadillas (Fried turnovers)

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These are small turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. They are typically enjoyed as an appetizer or snack. Empanadillas are a great way to snack on the go.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Filling (such as meat, cheese, or vegetables)
• Oil

To prepare empanadillas, the dough is made by mixing flour, water, and salt. The dough is then rolled out and cut into circles. The filling is placed in the center of each circle and the dough is folded over to form a turnover. The turnovers are then fried in oil until golden brown.

6. Tostones (Fried green plantains)

Tostones are crispy golden brown fried green plantains that are perfect for dipping in sauces. They are green plantains that have been sliced, fried, and then mashed. They are typically enjoyed as a snack or side dish. 

Ingredients 

• Green plantains
• Oil
• Salt

To prepare tostones, the green plantains are sliced into thin strips. The strips are then fried in oil until golden brown. The tostones are then mashed with a fork and seasoned with salt to taste.

7. Alcapurrias (Fried fritters)

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These are fritters made with ground meat, green bananas, and spices. They are typically enjoyed as a snack or side dish. 

Ingredients 

• Green bananas
• Ground meat
• Spices (such as garlic, oregano, and cumin)
• Oil

To prepare alcapurrias, the green bananas are peeled and grated. The ground meat is cooked with onions, peppers, and garlic. The spices are then added and the mixture is cooked until the meat is browned. The green banana mixture is then added to the meat mixture and mixed well. The alcapurrias are then formed into small patties and fried in oil until golden brown.

8. Baleadas (Stuffed flour tortillas)

These are flour tortillas that are stuffed with beans, cheese, meat, or vegetables. They are typically enjoyed as a snack. Baleadas are a popular street food in Puerto Rico.

• 2 large flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Your choice of fillings, such as:
  • Shredded chicken
  • Ground beef
  • Cooked vegetables
  • Avocado
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream

Heat the tortillas in a skillet over medium heat until warm and pliable. Spread the refried beans over one tortilla. Top with the cheese and your choice of fillings. Fold the tortilla in half and press down to seal. Cook the baleada in the skillet for a few minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy. Cut the baleada in half and serve hot.

9. Rellenos de papa (Stuffed potatoes)

Gaby Leidy Huarachi Mamani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These are potatoes that are stuffed with ground meat, cheese, and spices. They are typically enjoyed as a main course. Rellenos de papa is a hearty and satisfying dish.

Ingredients 

• Potatoes
• Ground meat
• Cheese
• Spices (such as garlic, oregano, and cumin)
• Oil

To prepare rellenos de papa, the potatoes are boiled until tender. They are then halved and the flesh is scooped out. The flesh is mashed with ground meat, cheese, and spices. The mixture is then placed back into the potato shells and baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10. Coquito (Coconut milk drink)

This is a sweet drink made with coconut milk, rum, and other spices. It is typically enjoyed during the holidays. 

Ingredients 

• Coconut milk
• Rum
• Spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla)

To prepare coquito, the coconut milk is mixed with rum and spices. The mixture is then chilled and served.

11. Flan de queso (Cheese custard)

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Flan de queso is a custard made with eggs, milk, and cheese. It is typically served with a caramel sauce. Flan de queso is a delicious and decadent dessert.

Ingredients 

• Eggs
• Milk
• Cheese
• Caramel sauce

To prepare flan de queso, the eggs are beaten with milk and cheese. The mixture is then poured into a mold and baked in the oven until set. The flan is then inverted onto a plate and served with caramel sauce.

12. Tres leches cake (Three milk cake)

Tres leches cake is a moist and spongy cake that’s soaked in three different types of milk. It’s topped with whipped cream and strawberries, and it’s a showstopper of a dessert.

Ingredients

• Cake
• Milk
• Cream
• Condensed milk
• Whipped cream
• Strawberries

To prepare tres leches cake, the cake is soaked with milk, cream, and condensed milk. The cake is then topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

13. Sorrullitos (Sweet fritters)

Sorrullitos are sweet fritters that are made with flour, sugar, and coconut milk. They’re a delicious and easy-to-make dessert.

Ingredients 

• Flour
• Sugar
• Coconut milk
• Oil

To prepare sorullitos, the flour, sugar, and coconut milk are mixed together. The mixture is then dropped into hot oil and fried until golden brown. The sorullitos are then served with a sweet sauce.

14. Banana foster (Banana dish with caramel sauce)

Kimberly Vardeman, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Banana foster is a dish made with bananas that are cooked in a caramel sauce. It is typically served with ice cream.

Ingredients 

• Bananas
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Rum
• Ice cream

To prepare banana foster, the bananas are sliced and placed in a pan. The brown sugar, butter, and rum are melted together and poured over the bananas. The bananas are then cooked until they are soft and the sauce is thickened. The banana foster is then served with ice cream.

15. Piragua (Fruit shaved ice)

This is a shaved ice dessert that is often flavored with fruit syrups. It is typically served with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s a perfect way to cool off on a hot day.

Ingredients 

• Shaved ice
• Fruit syrups
• Whipped cream

To prepare piragua, the shaved ice is placed in a cup. The fruit syrups are then drizzled over the shaved ice. The piragua is then topped with whipped cream.

So there you have it, 15 must-try traditional Puerto Rican dishes. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a delicious and authentic taste of Puerto Rico, these dishes are sure to please. So next time you’re on the island, be sure to give them a try!