Puerto Rican Food: The 30 Best Boricua Dishes (2024)

If you’ve never had Puerto Rican food before, then you’re seriously missing out.

This is because the island of Puerto Rico is home to some of the tastiest food in the world.

Whether in its capitol city of San Juan, or along its dreamy coast, you’ll find a local cuisine full of rich flavors, unique spices, and fresh ingredients.

Puerto Rican food is a true delight for the senses.

Puerto Rican Food Guide

But, once you start looking into Puerto Rican foods, you’ll realize that this tiny island nation has a lot of its own unique cuisines.

How do you know which Puerto Rican recipes you absolutely have to try?

This guide will serve as your ultimate introductory course to Puerto Rican cuisine.

Read on to learn about the top Puerto Rican dishes that you have to try.

1. Arroz Con Gandules

Let’s start with one of the biggest staples of Puerto Rican cuisine – arroz con gandules. Also known as Puerto Rican rice with pigeon peas.

It is actually Puerto Rico’s national dish. In fact, it’s the dish that many grandparents first teach their grandkids.

The dish itself has an interesting list of ingredients that you probably wouldn’t think to mix on your own.

But trust us, when you try it you’ll wonder how you ever ate rice any other way.

Arroz con gandules consists of white rice, olives, capers, pigeon peas, tomato sauce, bay leaves, sofrito (more on what that is later), and seasoning.

Some people also add bacon fat, pork, or beans to the dish.

2. Sofrito

Although sofrito isn’t a dish itself, we feel like it deserves a spot on this list because it plays such an important role in many popular Puerto Rican foods.

Basically, sofrito is a sauce that’s used as a base for a variety of dishes.

While each sofrito recipe varies slightly, the main ingredients are tomatoes, onions, red peppers, green peppers, and ajis dulces peppers.

To make sofrito, you’ll pretty much chop up these ingredients and throw them into a food processor.

The sauce is very tasty, and it helps to make many traditional Puerto Rican dishes bright, vibrant and full of flavor.

3. Mofongo

Do you like mashed potatoes? How about plantains?

If you said yes, then you’ll probably love mofongo. Mofongo is pretty much the American equivalent of mashed potatoes.

In other words, instead of mashing potatoes to create a side dish, Puerto Ricans mash plantains.

Sometimes, they even fry them before mashing them to boost the unique flavor.

The dish is typically mixed with crunchy pork skin, onions and garlic and then stuffed with either chicken, beef, or vegetables.

Mofongo is a very versatile food that both vegetarians and meat-eaters enjoy.

4. Pernil

If you’re a fan of roasted pork shoulder, then you’ll love pernil. It’s one of the more popular Puerto Rican foods.

Pernil is an entire roasted pig, which is slow roasted. That’s right, in Puerto Rico they roast the whole thing.

However, you won’t find pernil at most casual restaurants you walk into.

Pernil is typically reserved for big celebrations, special occasions or family functions. It’s also typically enjoyed alongside other classic Puerto Rican dishes, such as arroz con gandules or mofongo.

The pork is generally seasoned with garlic, black pepper, and oregano.

And, many Puerto Ricans know how to cook the pork so tenderly that it slides right off the bone when being served.

If your mouth is watering right now, wait until you actually try this peril recipe.

5. Pastelon

If you like lasagna, then you’ll absolutely love pastelón. Pastelón is basically Puerto Rico’s take on traditional Italian lasagna.

However, instead of using pasta sheets and marinara, the Puerto Rican equivalent uses sweet ripe plantains and ground beef.

But don’t worry, Puerto Ricans like to keep in the best part of lasagna- the cheese.

Typically, the ground beef in pastelón is seasoned with cumin and oregano. The ground beef is then mixed in with tomato sauce, sofrito, and olives.

If you’re looking for a hearty dinner meal that is both salty and sweet, pastelon is your answer.

6. Jibarito

Who doesn’t love a nice, juicy sandwich?

Even though Puerto Rico may not be known for its bread, they sure know how to put together a tasty sandwich.

The jibarito is a Puerto Rican sandwich that consists of steak, garlicky mayo, lettuce, tomato and cheese sandwiched between two slices of mashed and fried plantains, otherwise known as tostones.

Pretty much just imagine a Philly Cheesesteak on steroids, and you have yourself a jibarito.

Honestly, after having one bite of a jibarito, you’ll never be able to eat at Subway for lunch again.

7. Empanadilla

Empanadilla is basically a cute way of saying empanada. In fact, the word translates to “little empanada”.

An empanadilla is a Puerto Rican meat pie deep fried in olive oil that’s either filled with beef, chicken, or cheese.

Basically just think of a pastry, but one that’s super savory.

And, although empanadillas are very similar to empanadas, they do tend to have a thinner crust.

A very popular Puerto Rican street food.

8. Pasteles

Not to be confused with pastelones, Puerto Rican pasteles are a dough that’s made from grated plantains, green bananas, yuca, and calabaza squash.

And, just like many other Puerto Rican dishes, pasteles are often stuffed with rice or chicken.

Think of it as sort of like a Puerto Rican tamale, but instead of being made from masa, it’s made with green plantains and yuca.

Pasteles are also typically wrapped in a green banana leaf instead of a corn husk. The banana leaf gives the dish a nutty flavor.

Also, while you can find this dish year-round, it’s usually one of the most popular Puerto Rican dishes at Christmas time.

9. Tostones

Tostones are made of thick slices of fried plantains. (In case you haven’t noticed, Puerto Ricans love cooking with plantain).

Puerto Ricans start by frying the green plantains in vegetable oil, then flattening them, and then refrying them again.

You can basically think of tostones as french fries, but instead of fried potatoes, fried green plantains is the main ingredient.

And like french fries in the United States they are commonly served as a side dish with practically every main course.

Tostones are typically served with a dash of salt and with mayo-ketchup, (if you haven’t tried combining mayo and ketchup before, stop what you’re doing and try it now) fresh garlic, and fresh spices.

Puerto Ricans also typically serve tostones with a side of arroz con gandules or rice and beans.

Some Puerto Ricans even like to dip their tostones right into their food, especially into rice and beans.

A delicious combination!

10. Flan

As you can see, a lot of Puerto Rican dishes are hearty and savory. But, that doesn’t mean they don’t make a great desserts in Puerto Rico.

In fact, Puerto Rico is home to one of the most famous desserts in the world- flan.

Flan is a bit like creme brulee and a bit like cheesecake. In other words, it’s absolutely delicious.

Just like cheesecake, there are different kinds of flavors of flan to enjoy.

But in Puerto Rico, the most popular flavor is flan de queso.

Flan de queso is most similar to cheesecake and uses cream cheese.

You can also get flan de naranja (flan flavored with oranges), dulce de leche flan (flan made with sweet milk), and many more flavors.

Flan is the perfect Puerto Rican dessert because it’s enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without putting you in a complete food coma.

11. Coquito

Of course, we can’t talk about delicious Puerto Rican staples without talking about the island’s most famous sweet drink, coquito.

If you’re a fan of eggnog, then coquito is totally for you.

Coquito means “little coconut”, and it’s an eggless rum cream that contains coconut milk, coconut cream, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk.

It’s also typically served with a cinnamon stick, and just like eggnog, coquito is a holiday favorite.

Get your Coquito recipe here.

12. Cafe Con Leche

While coquito is enjoyed during the holiday season, cafe con leche is a drink that’s enjoyed year-round by Puerto Ricans.

When people think of coffee and Latin American countries, they often think of Colombia.

However, coffee is a huge staple on the isalnd and finding a delicious cup of Café Yaucono, a popular Puerto Rican coffee, is quite easy.

13. Coco Rico

Puerto Rican families love Coco Rico!

Coco Rico is essentially Puerto Rico’s version of Coca Cola.

In other words, it’s the perfect drink for cooling off on a hot summer day, even when you knowthat you should really be drinking water.

Coco Rico is a carbonated beverage that tastes like coconut and has a lightness to it that’s similar to 7 Up.

And just like Coca Cola, you can find Coco Rico pretty much all over the place, from restaurants to grocery stores to drug stores.

It is such a popular latin soda, the brand can even be found in some spots in the US now too.

So the next time you’re in the grocery store, keep your eyes peeled.

In addition to drinking a Coco Rico plain, you can also make a pretty mean mojito using Coco Rico as a base.

14. Arroz Con Dulce

If you still haven’t had your fix after indulging in all of the savory rice dishes Puerto Rico has to offer, then you need to get your hands on some arroz con dulce.

It is a sweet coconut Puerto Rican rice pudding that consists of rice, coconut milk, cinnamon, sugar, cloves, and nutmeg.

The sweet rice pudding is also typically garnished with raisins and cinnamon sticks.

After a bite of arroz con dulce, you’ll never want to eat a dessert that doesn’t contain rice in it again.

15. Tembleque

If arroz con dulce isn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, then you should also try tembleque.

Tembleque is a creamy coconut pudding that is made from cornstarch, sugar and coconut milk. Or you can buy Tembleque mix to instead.

Although it’s very similar to arroz con dulce, tembleque has a much smoother consistency.

It’s typically topped with cinnamon for an extra punch of rich flavor, and although served year-round, it’s most popular during the Christmas season.

16. Rellenos de Papa

If you’re all plantain-ed out and you’re craving some good ol’ potatoes, then you have to try rellenos de papa.

Rellenos de papa are potatoes stuffed with, you guessed it, meat. The outer layer is fried, making it extra crispy and delicious.

And, the great thing about this food is that it makes the perfect snack that you can find pretty much anywhere, from restaurants to food trucks.

Also, the meat filling isn’t just any meat filling. It’s called picadillo, and it’s made from ground beef, sofrito, adobo, olives, tomato sauce, garlic powder, and oregano.

The meat is then stuffed into the potato ball and deep-fried until golden brown.

17. Pollo Guisado

While Puerto Rican cuisine uses a lot of pork in their dishes, they definitely still know what they’re doing when it comes to chicken.

Pollo guisado is a perfect example of this.

Pollo guisado is a chicken stew that’s made from a variety of ingredients including adobo, garlic, sofrito, oregano, cilantro, and other seasonings.

Some people add vegetables to the traditional Puerto Rican soup, while others leave them out.

This is another island dish where the chicken is cooked so tenderly that it slides right off the bone.

18. Alcapurrias

In Puerto Rico, alcapurrias are oftensold on corners by street vendors, and they are a perfect, filling, mess-free treat to enjoy while you sit back and take in the sun and sand on any of the island’s beautiful beaches.

The outside shell of an alcapurria is made froma mixture ofplantains or unripe bananasmixed with a mashed root vegetable.

The most common filling for alcapurrias is picadillo, but some people use crab meat, chicken, or another protein.

Although the exterior recipe is fairly universal, fillings can vary immensely from cook to cook.

19. Asopao de Gandules

Asopao de Gandules is a dish that’s actually popular across the whole Caribbean and not just on the island of Puerto Rico.

It’s essentially a blend of pigeon peas, white rice, soup, and some kind of protein (usually pork shoulder, chicken, or seafood).

The closest thing to compare it to would probably be gumbo.

And while there are many variations of the asopao dish even within Puerto Rico, the most popular combines chicken, rice, tomato, oregano, olives, garlic, onion, and a variety of other seasonings called asopao de pollo recipe.

20. Habichuelas Guisadas

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish, habichuelas guisadas is your answer.

Habichuelas guisadas are basically a version of baked beans but done the Puerto Rico way.

The beans are seasoned with sofrito, tomato sauce, and Sazon.

21. Trifongo

If you love mofongo, then it’s time to extend your palet a bit and try trifongo.

Trifongo is basically the same thing as mofongo, but instead of being made from green plantains, it’s made from sweet plantains.

This is also probably a good time to note that if you try to make any of these dishes at home, the type of plantain you choose is very important.

If the recipe calls for green plantains, don’t think you can get away with substituting sweet plantains or green bananas. A ripe plantain and unripe plantain will most definitely change the dish.

The recipe just won’t be the same!

22. Bacalaitos

We simply couldn’t leave Bacalaitos off this list of best foods from Puerto Rico.

Puerto ricans love their deep fried treats. And bacalaitos are no exception!

Bacalaitos are a traditional Puerto Rican fried fritter made from breaded salted cod fish.

To make it many common Latin American ingredients, including sazon seasoning, sofrito, and adobo seasoning are typically used.

The termBacalaitoscomes from the standard Spanish wordbacalao, which translates to “salt cod”.

23. Arroz con Pollo

Each latin country, region, town, and family has its version of this delicious dish.

Many Puerto Ricans debate that arroz con pollo originated from Puerto Rico instead of Spain.

Arroz con pollo is aPuerto Rican favorite, and their arroz con pollo uses annatto oil and beer to give the yellow rice dish flavor, similar to how saffron is used to season and color the rice.

24. Tres Leches

The tres leches cake is a very light sponge cake that is soaked in three different types of milk: condensed milk, evaporated milk, and thick cream.

It is avery popular dessert dish in many parts of Latin America and is often made during festivals and family celebrations.

In Puerto Rico, the cake is often soaked in coconut liqueur and white rum. Sometimes they even pour in coffee on top to get that tiramisu-like flavor from the cake.

25. Sancocho

Sancocho is one of Puerto Rico’s oldest dishes and remains quite popular today.

Sancocho is a delicious Puerto Rican root vegetable stew. It’s usually made with meat but the main ingredient is root vegetable.

Taro root, yucca, yautía, and sweet potato are root vegetables and tubers are commonly used with plantains and calabaza added.

26. Sorullos

Sorullos, also known as sorullitos, are a beloved Puerto Rican snack made from a simple yet flavorful cornmeal dough.

These golden, crispy sticks are typically shaped into small logs or fingers and deep-fried to perfection, resulting in a crunchy exterior and a tender, slightly sweet interior.

The dough is often seasoned with a touch of sugar and salt, giving it a delightful balance of flavors.

Some variations include fillings such as cheese, adding a creamy surprise within the crunchy shell.

Sorullos are commonly enjoyed as an appetizer or a side dish, served with a dipping sauce like mayo-ketchup or a tangy garlic sauce.

27. Quesitos

Quesitos are a popular Puerto Rican pastry that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors.

These delightful treats consist of flaky puff pastry filled with a luscious sweetened cream cheese mixture.

The name “quesitos” translates to “little cheeses,” highlighting their creamy, cheesy filling.

They are often glazed with a light syrup or dusted with powdered sugar, adding a touch of sweetness and shine.

Baked to a golden brown, quesitos boast a crisp, buttery exterior that contrasts beautifully with their smooth, rich filling.

Enjoyed as a breakfast pastry, snack, or dessert, quesitos are a beloved staple in Puerto Rican bakeries and homes.

28. Tripleta

The tripleta is a popular Puerto Rican sandwich, celebrated for its hearty and flavorful combination of three types of meats: ham, roasted pork (pernil), and grilled chicken.

This mouthwatering medley is typically layered with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and crispy potato sticks, all tucked inside a soft, slightly toasted roll.

Often garnished with a zesty mix of mayonnaise and ketchup or other condiments, the tripleta offers a delightful contrast of textures and tastes in every bite.

It is a popular Puerto Rican street food and a go-to option for a satisfying meal.

Whether enjoyed as a quick lunch or a late-night snack, the tripleta is a beloved staple that delivers a robust and delicious experience.

29. Asopao de Pollo

Asopao de Pollo is a beloved Puerto Rican comfort food, often described as a cross between a hearty soup and a savory stew.

This Puerto Rican food features tender pieces of chicken simmered with rice in a rich, flavorful broth infused with sofrito—a fragrant blend of garlic, onions, bell peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes.

The asopao is further enriched with vegetables such as peas, carrots, and olives, creating a colorful and nourishing meal.

Seasoned with traditional spices like adobo and sazón, Asopao de Pollo is known for its warm, comforting flavors.

30. Canoa

Canoa, a popular dish in Puerto Rican cuisine, is a deliciously innovative way to enjoy ripe plantains.

The name “canoa” means “canoe,” reflecting the shape of the dish, which features a plantain sliced lengthwise and hollowed out to create a boat-like vessel.

This sweet and tender plantain is then filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, seasoned with traditional Puerto Rican spices and sofrito—a blend of onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes.

After stuffing, the plantain is often baked or fried until the flavors meld together and the plantain becomes caramelized and slightly crispy.

Canoa is often served as a main dish or a substantial side, offering a taste of Puerto Rican culinary creativity and tradition.

Bonus: Tropical Fruits

Puerto Ricans love their tropical fruit!

It would be a travesty to visit Puerto Rico and not partake in its vast offering of tropical fruits.

You’ll find mangos, guayaba, pineapples, maracuya, coconuts just to name a few.

Start your day of with some fresh fruit or incorporate them into your co*cktail of choice.

No judging here just be sure to enjoy them before you board that plane home.

Are You Ready to Try Puerto Rican Food?

Puerto Rico’s cuisine is not to be missed!

As you can see, there are a lot of Puerto Rican foods that you have to try.

And if there aren’t any Puerto Rican restaurants close by, all you have to do is buy the right ingredients and start your Puerto Rican cooking journey!

Fortunately, we are here to help. Visit our online store and shop for all the Puerto Rican foods and drinks you’ll need.

And if you think Puerto Rican food is a foodie’s dream, then be sure to check out the best desserts from Puerto Rico.