Puerto Rico

Pernil is one of Puerto Rico's most famous dishes, a succulent roasted pork shoulder that is traditionally seasoned in a marinade called adobo mojado, consisting of paprika, salt, vinegar, garlic, and oregano. The name of the dish is derived from the Spanish word pierna, meaning... Read more

Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish made from fried unripe plantains which are then pulverized or mashed. The starchy dish can be further enriched by the addition of ingredients such as lobster, prawns, garlic, chicken, or bacon. Although mofongo is Puerto Rican, it has African origins, as it was orig... Read more

This plantain-based casserole is a staple in Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. It consists of sliced or mashed plantains that are layered with minced meat. The meat used in the dish is usually the Puerto Rican version of picadillo—a hearty stew prepared with a combination of grou... Read more

Tostones is a traditional side dish that's popular throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in Puerto Rico. Unlike platanos fritos, where only ripe plantains are used, tostones are made with unripe, hard, very green plantains. They are sliced into pieces, fried on each side, then sm... Read more

Arroz con gandules is a one-pot national dish of Puerto Rico consisting of rice, pigeon peas, and sofrito, and every family in the country has their own version of the recipe. Sofrito is the aromatic flavoring base for a variety of Puerto Rican dishes, made with green peppers, onions, ga... Read more

Asopao is a Puerto Rican dish that is best described as a cross between a soup and a stew. It always contains rice, and can be made with beef, pork, seafood, pigeon peas, or chicken – which is also the most popular and traditional version of asopao, called asopao de pollo, where th... Read more

Tripleta is a popular sandwich from Puerto Rico, its name derived from the fact that it is filled with three types of meat: grilled steak, lechon pork, and ham. The meat is placed in a loaf of fresh bread and topped with fries, ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese, and vegetables such as lettuce,... Read more

Pasteles are rectangular meat pies filled with a variety of ingredients, encased in masa dough that is then wrapped in a single banana leaf. The dough can be made with numerous ingredients such as cassava, taro, potatoes, or green bananas. The fillings are usually prepared with pork or chicken, w... Read more

Bistec encebollado is a flavorful dish popular throughout Latin America, consisting of an adobo-spiced, marinated beefsteak combined with onion sauce and large onion rings on top. The wonderful flavors of bistec encebollado come from marinating the meat over a long period of time, usually anywher... Read more

This creamy pudding is one of Puerto Rico’s specialties, made by cooking coconut milk with cornstarch and sugar, then topping the concoction with cinnamon. The end result is a slightly firm pudding with a smooth custard-like texture, and it is typically served cold. The name tembleque... Read more

Arañitas are a Puerto Rican specialty consisting of shredded and fried plantains. The name of the dish is derived from the eponymous Spanish word, meaning little spiders, referring to the visual appearance of this crispy dish. It is usually served with dips such as guacamole... Read more

Piragua is a Puerto Rican dessert consisting of shaved ice that is shaped into a pyramid, then covered with fruit-flavored syrup. It is typically sold from brightly colored carts by piragüeros – snow cone makers. The name piragua means canoe in Taino language... Read more

Sazon is a versatile Puerto Rican seasoning mix that is prepared with a few simple spices such as cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and ground annatto seeds. Other possible additions include black pepper, saffron, and onion powder. The spices are simply mixed together, then stored in... Read more

Alcaparrado is a traditional condiment consisting of chopped Manzanilla olives, capers, roasted bell peppers, white vinegar, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. When all of the ingredients have been combined, the condiment should be refrigerated, then served cold. It is typica... Read more

Recaíto is a simple, easily made Puerto Rican condiment. It consists of onions, garlic, coriander leaves, green bell peppers, and tiny chili peppers known as ají dulce. In order to prepare it, all ingredients should simply be blended. Traditionally, recaíto is used as a flavo... Read more

Piña Colada is a sweet and creamy tropical cocktail that has been celebrated as the national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978. It is a simple but delicious mixture of rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, and coconut cream, often shaken or blended with ice, served in a chilled glass,... Read more

Coquito is a traditional cocktail similar to eggnog. It is typically prepared and consumed during the festive Christmas season. The cocktail is made with a combination of coconut milk, rum, condensed milk, and vanilla, although every family has their own variation. In order to prepare it... Read more

Often dubbed as the Puerto Rican moonshine, pitorro is a traditional drink that is distilled from sugarcane or molasses. Though the recipes vary, and the drink can be enjoyed as a raw spirit, the base is usually enriched with various ingredients, most commonly fruit slices, and it is lef... Read more

Chi Chi is Piña Colada’s drier cousin, a cocktail made with a combination of vodka, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and cream. In order to prepare it, all ingredients should simply be mixed with ice, then served in a poco or hurricane glass garnished with a cherry and a pine... Read more

Spiced Cherry is one of the most popular cocktails in Puerto Rican bars. It is made with a combination of spiced rum and cherry cola. In order to prepare it, spiced rum and cherry coke are simply combined in a glass with ice, then stirred. If desired, the cocktail can be garnished with c... Read more

Amaretto Colada is essentially a variation of the famous Piña Colada with the addition of amaretto almond liqueur, adding a rich and nutty flavor to the traditional coconut and pineapple. It is made with a combination of white rum, amaretto, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and whi... Read more

Lavender Mule is a creative twist on the classic Moscow Mule coc... Read more

Chichaíto is a Puerto Rican shooter made with a combination of equal parts anisette and white rum (preferably of the Palo Viejo brand). In order to prepare it, both ingredients are shaken with ice, then strained into a shot glass. The flavor of Chichaíto is slightly sweet a... Read more

Usually associated with Puerto Rico and El Salvador, horchata de ajonjolí is a traditional drink made with sesame seeds. It belongs to the horchata group, a category of drinks usually made with grains or seeds. To prepare the drink, sesame seeds are toasted and blended with water,... Read more