The many different Puerto Rico dishes and cuisines are flavorful, vibrant and steeped in the rich history and traditions of the island.
From mofongo and tostones, to cakes and rice with pigeon peas, Puerto Rican cuisine is as diverse and delicious as it gets.
But it’s not just the food that makes Puerto Rico so special — its culture is something to be admired too.
From the island’s colorful architecture to its lively music and dance, Puerto Rico is a vibrant and fascinating place.
And no visit would be complete without exploring the history and heritage of the island — from the Taíno tribes to the Spanish colonization to the influence of African culture.
Popular Puerto Rico Dishes
Puerto Rico has a vibrant and unique culture that is reflected in its cuisine.
One of the most popular dishes is mofongo – a mashed plantain dish typically served with pork, beef, or seafood.
Another classic dish is tostones – fried green plantains that can be served as a side dish or enjoyed as a snack.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a rich and creamy flan or a traditional tres leches cake.
And if you’re looking for something a bit heartier, you can’t beat Puerto Rico’s iconic rice and pigeon peas.
This classic dish is usually served with chicken or pork, and it’s sure to fill you up.
Puerto Rico’s food is as vibrant as its culture, and it’s sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Whether you’re looking for a light snack or a hearty meal, Puerto Rico has a dish for you.
No visit to the island is complete without trying this classic dish.
And, of course, don’t forget the rum!
Puerto Rican rum is widely available and is often served in traditional cocktails like the piña colada.
Puerto Rican food and culture is a unique and exciting experience, and one that is sure to be remembered
So go ahead, indulge in the flavors and traditions of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Food History
Puerto Rican cuisine is a fusion of various different cultures – including the Taino Arawaks, African, and Spanish.
Over the years, this mixture has created some of the most unique and delicious foods in the world.
Cucina Criolla is the original Puerto Rican cuisine.
It’s based on the cooking techniques and recipes of the Taino Arawaks, who lived in Puerto Rico thousands of years ago.
These people were the original inhabitants of the island, and their cuisine is full of spice and flavor.
Later on, African slaves were brought to Puerto Rico to work on plantations.
They introduced a variety of African spices and flavors to the island cuisine, creating a unique mix that’s still popular today.
Spanish settlers also helped to shape Puerto Rican cuisine. They introduced new ingredients, such as pork and beef, and they also introduced new cooking techniques.
Together, these elements have created a variety of Puerto Rican dishes that are truly unique and special.
No matter what your taste is, there’s a delicious Puerto Rican dish out there that’s perfect for you.
What is the Puerto Rico national dish?
Although there are many delicious and unique dishes that are distinct to Puerto Rico, arroz con gandules is the national dish.
Arroz can gandules is a savory Puerto Rican rice with pigeon peas that is native to Puerto Rico.
The rice is cooked with sofrito seasoning and red peppers, olives, and pork which produces a delightful combination.
The end result is a peas and rice that is tasty, and deeply satisfying.
What’s Sofrito?
Sofrito is a seasoning base commonly found in Puerto Rico.
It is a combination of red peppers, garlic, cilantro, and onions that is used as an ingredient in cooking.
Sofrito can vary slightly by region but is commonly used as a cooking base for savory stews, soups, meats, and rice.
The runner up for the national dish is Mofongo.
Mofongo are fried plantains that are mashed with olive oil and garlic and then usually served with crispy fried pork chicharrones.
Alternatively, mofongo can be served with your meat or seafood of choice along with the delicious and garlicky mashed plantains.
Sofrito Homemade Recipe
As I stated earlier the ingredients for sofrito vary by region with some adding tomatoes and others not.
There are also some ingredients such as cubanelle peppers, culantro, and ajices dulces (sweet peppers), which may be difficult to find in your area.
For simplicity I am giving you a version of the recipe that will be easy to create with local ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 large spanish onions cut in chunks
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 4 ripe plum tomatoes (optional)
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- 18 medium peeled cloves of garlic
- Kosher salt to taste (optional)
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, then it can keep in fridge for a few days. You can also freeze your sofrito and use as needed.
Sofrito – How to Use
It is an herbacious and aromatic seasoning base that can be used with almost any savory dish.
Sofrito with rice is delicious and sofrito with chicken is a great combination.
As I mentioned earlier, sofrito is basically a flavor booster ingredient.
This means that it can be used in soups, stews, beans and essentially with any meat or seafood.
Think of it similar to how the French use a mirepoix, which is celery, onion, carrot, and herbs.
The mirepoix is used as the starting point for almost all French dishes to infuse the foods with additional flavor.