Cuba Recipes
Sofrito, rum, and recipes that outlasted everything. Not sure what to eat in Cuba? Start with Arroz con Pollo a la Cubana, Cuban Sandwich, Pastelitos de Guayaba and Tostada Cubana con Café con Leche. Here are 9 authentic Cuba recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
9 recipes
Ropa ViejaHavana, Cuba · medium · 2 h 50 minBeef braised and shredded into a rich tomato-pepper sofrito, Cuba’s national dish, named "old clothes."
Ropa Vieja Moros y CristianosHavana, Cuba · easy · 1 h 30 minBlack beans and white rice cooked together in one pot with a cumin-scented sofrito until every grain turns dusky and savory, the everyday soul of the Cuban table.
Tostada Cubana con Café con LecheHavana, Cuba · easy · 15 minButtered Cuban bread pressed flat and crisp, cut into batons for dunking into sweet, milky espresso, the quintessential Havana breakfast.
Cuban SandwichHavana, Cuba · medium · 25 minRoast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed in Cuban bread until crisp and molten, the classic cubano.
Pastelitos de GuayabaHavana, Cuba · easy · 45 minFlaky puff-pastry parcels of sweet guava paste and cream cheese, glazed shiny, the classic Cuban bakery pastry.
Arroz con Pollo a la CubanaHavana, Cuba · easy · 1 h 10 minChicken browned and simmered into golden rice with a sofrito of onion, pepper, and garlic, tomato, dry wine, saffron, pimientos, and peas.
Tostones con Mojo (Cuban Twice-Fried Green Plantains)Havana, Cuba · easy · 35 minThick rounds of green plantain fried soft, smashed flat, fried again until crisp and salted, served with a garlicky sour-orange mojo for dipping.
Croquetas de Jamón (Cuban Ham Croquettes)Havana, Cuba · medium · 5 h 15 minA thick béchamel with onion, nutmeg and finely ground ham, chilled until firm, rolled into small logs, coated twice in egg and cracker meal and fried deep gold, served with lime.
Mariquitas (Cuban Green Plantain Chips with Mojo)Havana, Cuba · easy · 35 minGreen plantains shaved lengthwise into long, paper-thin ribbons, fried in small batches until crisp and curled, salted at once and dipped in garlicky lime mojo.
📋 Teaching Cuba?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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