Best Foods of Puerto Rico: Top 8 Must-try Traditional Dishes

Puerto Rico's cuisine is an interesting blend of multiple cultures. You can find the best foods of Puerto Rico in both fine dining restaurants and local food stalls. Puerto Rican's dishes are one of the most diverse in the Caribbean with influences from Spanish, West African, Latin American and Indigenous Taino. Fresh local ingredients perfectly combined with bold seasonings. Aside from the well-known beauty of Puerto Rico's beaches and vibrant energy, the vibrancy of local food is a great highlight of every traveller's experience. Whether you love home-cooked meals, fine dining from renowned chefs or local street food, there are always wonderful dishes to try when visiting this beautiful country. Let's start discovering the best dishes from Puerto Rico with our top suggestions. The History of Puerto Rican Food Puerto Rico is known for its impressive landscapes and colourful neighbourhoods. Photo by Joel Villanueva on stock.adobe.com Many describe Puerto Rican cuisine as a fusion of American, African, indigenous Taino and Spanish. For example, Puerto Rican foods are similar to Cuban foods in the use of plantains and pork. Even though there are many traces of influence from other cuisines, Puerto Rican cuisine still has its uniqueness and identity. Before the Spanish influences, the indigenous Taino harvested mostly native root crops and their diets consisted mainly of native beans, corn, fruit, birds and seafood. In 1493, the Spanish colonists brought imported foods such as olive oil, wheat flour, wine and livestock such as pigs and cattle. Their influences can be seen in well-known dishes like Arroz con Pollo. Afterwards, the enslaved people from Africa influenced Puerto Rico with the technique of frying foods, which is easily eaten by hands and can be prepared beforehand. Until then, grating and pounding are familiar two food preparation methods, which are popularly used in Puerto Rican cuisine that came from African cooking styles. In 1898, processed foods such as canned Vienna sausages and canned corn beef came to the island under the United States invasion. These ingredients can be seen in dishes like Arroz con Salsichas. Other Latin American influences in Puerto Rican cuisine are ingredients such as cocoa and vanilla. Nowadays, having an opportunity to discover authentic Puerto Rican foods is a captivating experience for many visitors of the island. From the fried plantains to the comforting rice and beans, there are traces of history in almost every Puerto Rican dish. Current Food Scenes in Puerto Rico Travel to Puerto Rico is super easy. If you are an US citizen, you can even travel without a passport to this beautiful Caribbean island. Explore the thriving food scene in Puerto Rico, all the way from San Juan to Cabo Rojo and all in between. Known for both stunning beaches and diverse cuisine, expect to try the savoury rice and pork from Spain, plantains from West Africa and yuca from the Taino indigenous. While there are various delicious dishes to try across the island, there are different must-try specialities in each part of Puerto Rico. For instance, for juicy and meaty dishes, be sure to head to the mountainous areas. For seafood lovers, the coastal areas of Puerto Rico are your go-to for fresh seafood. For an incredible assortment of international and gastronomic options, visit the metropolitan San Juan for endless global dishes to try. 8 Must-try Local Dishes From Puerto Rico Puerto Rico has some of the world's most famous and savoury dishes. With a lot of cultural influences, expect a unique blend of Spanish, Taino, African and American cuisine. Here are top 8 local dishes that you should try out during your trip to this foodie's paradise. 1. Mofongo (Fried Plantains Mashed With Chicharrón) Mofongo is one of the most popular dishes with a side of pleasant saltiness and starchy texture. Photo by FomaA on stock.adobe.com The Puerto Ricans' de facto national dish is made from deep-fried green plantains mashed with broth, butter, garlic crackling, and chicharrón (deep-fried pork rind). The main star of this comforting dish is surely the tasty plantains, a popular ingredient in Puerto Rican cuisine. Starchy, rich in flavours and have a pleasant salty taste. Mofongo is great as both a side dish or a main dish stuffed with stewed chicken, fried pork, stewed vegetables or seafood. There are different variations of mofongo depending on the ingredients such as green plantains, yuca and sweet plantains. Some recipes use fish broth to put in a distinctive seafood flavour to this traditional dish. 2. Arroz Con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas) Puerto Rican Christmas isn’t complete without Arroz Con Gandules. Photo by Elysanta Photography on stock.adobe.com This is one of the most popular dishes in Puerto Rico, which is often served with roasted pork during festive times of the year. Eye-catching with a beautiful hue of orange. Arroz con gandules is a signature Puerto Rican dish with a great combination of rice, pork, pigeon peas (aka gandules) and sofrito. Sofrito is an aromatic seasoning base that is popularly used in many Puerto Rican dishes. Made out of olive oil, peppers, garlic, herbs and onion with a fragrant touch of cilantro. Loaded with protein and fibre, this dish is a perfect mix of savoury and sweetness. Pork can be replaced for a vegetarian version and Manzanilla olives can be added for a briny taste of acidity. 3. Arroz Con Pollo (Rice with Chicken) Arroz con pollo is a one-pot wonder that you can find almost everywhere in Puerto Rico and during family gatherings. Photo by paul_brighton on stock.adobe.com Hearty and delicious. Arroz con pollo is directly translated to rice with chicken. This is a well-known dish rooted from Latin America and Spain with various cooking recipes that vary from country to country. The main ingredients are seasoned chicken, long-grain or medium-grain rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, onion and bell peppers. This comforting dish is made of tender chicken and well-seasoned rice with complex flavours of home-made sofrito. Originally created to stretch the limited food available to feed a whole family, this Spanish influenced dish is now a beloved dish by both travellers and locals. Arroz con pollo have distinctive variations throughout Puerto Rico and across Latin America. For example, Arroz Con Pollo in Peru has a unique green rice colour because of cilantro while other Arroz Con Pollo variations in Puerto Rico and Cuba have yellow rice. 4. Pasteles (Steamed Cornmeal Pie) Filled with ful-filling stewed meat and wrapped delicately in banana leaves. Photo by Mike Hernandez on stock.adobe.com This is a local specialty that is popularly served during holiday seasons. Made from green bananas (aka masa) stuffed with stewed meat and delicately wrapped in banana leaves, pasteles is a truly quintessential local dish. Tender, complex in flavours and fulfilling. Puerto Rican pasteles is a Christmas special that resembles a wrapped present full of flavours. This dish has origins from all three Taino, African and Spaniard. 5. Asopao De Pollo (Chicken and Rice Stew) Asopao de pollo showcases a harmonious mix between chicken stew, rice and flavourful ingredients. Photo by FomaA on stock.adobe.com Chicken stew is a perfect meal for any occasion, especially during chilly days. This thick rice and soup has a creamy texture with various staple ingredients in Puerto Rico such as chicken pieces, veggies, sofrito seasoning and Manzanilla olives. Half paella, half soup. This heart-warming dish is a traditional Puerto Rican food among the famous asopao recipes such as asopao de gandules and asopao de mariscos. The charm of asopao de pollo lies in the striking balance of savoriness, brackish and briny acidity. Perfect for both a festive occasion, a family meal or a late night dinner. 6. Tostones (Fried Green Plantains) Puerto Rican Tostones are a deliciously crispy appetiser and snacking option. Photo by Pajaros Volando on stock.adobe.com A popular dish from Latin America with a super-crispy twist and deliciously salty taste from Puerto Rican cooking style. This mouth-watering recipe is surprisingly easy to make with only three main ingredients including plantains, oil to fry and salt to season. Made with green and unripe plantains, this golden dish is deep-fried and sprinkled with salt, perfect to be served as a side dish. Thinly sliced green plantains are deep-fried then dressed up with mixed herbs and spices. Tostones are to be enjoyed with your favourite choice of dipping sauce. 7. Pastelon (Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna) Pastelon is a popular version of lasagna that is layered in plantains instead of pasta. Photo by FomaA on stock.adobe.com This casserole dish is made out of plantains, beef, cheese or with tomato sauce, a beautiful mix of Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. For lasagna lovers, this is an interesting dish to try when visiting Puerto Rico since pasta is replaced with an interesting texture of layered plantains. Plantains are mashed or slided then layered with hearty stew meat and herby tomato sauce. Shredded cheese can be added to enhance the sapid taste. Green beans can replace shredded cheese as well. There are many interpretations of pastelon, depending on the cook. 8. Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork) Pernil is a traditional dish that can be found in both restaurants and food stalls throughout the year. Photo by Isabel Vianna on stock.adobe.com Are you a fan of delectable and roasted meats? Pernil is a mouthwatering dish and probably one of the must-try Puerto Rico foods for every traveller. Roasted pork shoulder is perfectly seasoned in an aromatic marinade made out of oregano, paprika, garlic, salt and vinegar. Pernil is truly a succulent dish loved by Puerto Ricans during gathering times such as weddings and birthdays. Juicy meat so tender that it can fall off the bone. Crispy skin roasted in Latin American cooking style. What is not to love about this dish? FAQ 1. What Is The Most Popular Puerto Rican Dish? Arroz con gandules is probably one of the most well-known rice dishes from Puerto Rican cuisine. This staple dish can be found in almost every eatery in Puerto Rico, from restaurants to food stalls. Luscious golden rice with pigeon peas, Arroz con gandules is a distinctive dish with Caribbean roots and Puerto Rican's creative twist. Topped with the flavoursome sofrito sauce, this traditional dish is considered as the national dish in Puerto Rico by many people. 2. What Makes Puerto Rican Food Special? Due to external influences from historical events such as the culinary heritage from native tribes in the island and the waves of colonisation, Puerto Rican cuisine is a unique blend of Taino indigenous, Spanish, African and Latin American cuisine. Puerto Rico foods have rich flavours that come from special herbs and spices such as sofrito base, a blend of adobo and sazon. Plantains and other native vegetables are widely used for a healthy touch on the hearty and comforting dishes. Just like Thailand, Puerto Rico is known for its vibrant street food culture, with dishes like Empanadillas (turnovers), and Pinchos (kebabs) being popular choices. 3. What Is A Typical Puerto Rican Dinner? A typical dinner in Puerto Rico normally includes dishes that have rice, protein sources such as pork, beef or chicken, plantains and secret sauces such as sofrito or adobo among the main ingredients. For dinner, comforting and ful-filling foods such as arroz con gandules, mofongo and pernil are served. 4. What Are Three Important Foods In Puerto Rico? Rice and beans such as red kidney beans and pigeon peas are both frequently used in traditional dishes. Plantains whether fried, mashed or baked are all great additions to add noteworthy flavours to every dish. Protein types such as pork and chicken are often seen in many traditional dishes. Delectable, tender and flavourful pork is often marinated in a complex combination of herbs and spices then slowly roasted into a fall-off-the-bone hearty dish. Well-seasoned chicken is paired with ful-filling rice for comforting meals that fit any occasion. Best Foods of Puerto Rico: Top 8 Must-try Traditional Dishes Puerto Rico is a country with different culinary influences throughout colonial waves over the centuries. The best foods of Puerto Roco represent the unique and vibrant combination of flavours from Spain, Africa, Latin America and Europe. From gourmet restaurants to local food stalls, there is no shortage of hidden gems and delicious foods in Puerto Rico to spoil yourself. When in this island paradise, be sure to taste these must-try local dishes and share this article for travel inspiration to your fellow foodies. Bon Appétit! Chau Dao