Think about this combination for a sec. The bright sweetness of tropical fruit alongside earthy root veggies and fresh seafood.
Now imagine those tangy and tart flavors blanketing comforting bites of rice, plantains, and black beans. These are the addicting flavors of Cuban cuisine.
I’ve pulled together 20 recipes that perfectly capture this magic. From Superbowl snacks to cookout sensations, these appetizers deliver big, bossy flavor.
1. Cuban Sliders
Okay, these sliders are a total weeknight hero, and I’m obsessed because they involve so little actual cooking! You just load up those sweet Hawaiian rolls with ham, Swiss, and some dill pickles.
Then you cover the whole thing in a dreamy homemade Dijon mustard and minced onion mixture. Pop them in the oven for around 25 minutes and that’s it! They come out tasting so, so good.
Just trust me on this, you’re going to want to make way more than you think you need.
2. Cuban Beef Empanadas
If you really want to bring the wow-factor to your next party, these empanadas are the answer. And guess what? The homemade dough sounds super impressive, but it’s ridiculously easy.
All it takes is flour, shortening, salt, and water. You just mix it up into a ball, wrap it, and let it chill for about thirty minutes. While that’s happening, you can whip up the filling.
We’re talking a rich, savory, and hearty mix with just a little sweetness from sherry and raisins. Once they’re baked, they are warm, crispy perfection.
3. Cuban Beef Pastries (Pastelitos de Carne)
Get ready for the perfect sweet and savory mashup! These puffed pastries are just incredible. The pastry itself and a simple homemade syrup bring a lovely sweetness that works so well with the warm, beefy picadillo filling.
It’s such a winning combination. I like to toss a little garlic in with the beef because that’s just how I roll, but they are absolutely fantastic just as the recipe is written.
4. Pasta de Bocaditos (Cuban Deviled Ham Sandwiches)
You’ll want to break out your food processor for these little sandwiches! Grab some Hawaiian rolls or your favorite slider buns to get started.
For that amazing filling, you just blitz cooked ham, cream cheese, pimento-stuffed green olives, roasted red peppers, mayo, and sweet pickles until it’s all smooth and creamy. Then just spread that goodness on your buns, and you are ready to go. So simple!
5. Chicharitas or Mariquitas (Cuban Plantain Chips)
These fried plantain chips are so addicting! They’re a lot like the tostones on this list, but these get loaded up with garlic salt before frying, which makes them extra crispy and savory.
The mojo sauce that goes with them is also a bit different; it’s super tangy and tart. If you want to lean into that zing, just add more lime juice.
Or, for a sweeter vibe, go a little heavier on the orange juice. You can’t go wrong!
6. Bolitas de Yuca (Cheese Stuffed Fried Yuca Balls)
Yuca is a staple in Cuban cooking, and these fried yuca balls are unbelievably yummy. Plus, they’re ready in about 20 minutes!
They’re kind of like a cheese-stuffed hush puppy, and yes, they are every bit as delicious as that sounds. The recipe includes a homemade cilantro dressing that I totally recommend making.
It’s smooth and zesty from the cilantro, lime, and vinegar, and it just pairs perfectly with the slightly nutty, cheesy yuca balls.
7. Cuban Sandwich on a Stick Appetizer
This is the ultimate easy appetizer for anyone who would rather assemble than cook! Seriously, all you have to do is gather your ingredients and layer them onto skewers. It’s that simple.
Start with a baby dill pickle, add a little square of Swiss cheese, then a cube of cooked ham, and finish with a cube of cooked pork tenderloin. Serve them up with some honey mustard for dipping and you are golden.
8. Mojo Shrimp Kabobs
Most of the magic in this recipe happens in the marinade. You’ll need the juice from oranges and limes, olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, cilantro, and a little bit of salt and pepper.
Once that’s all mixed, just let your shrimp hang out in it for about half an hour. After that, thread them onto skewers and grill for just a couple of minutes on each side. That’s all there is to it!
9. Malanga Fritters
These fritters are one of the more gently flavored appetizers I’ve tried from Cuba, but they are every bit as tasty as the rest!
The outside shell gets wonderfully crispy and has this great herby, garlicky flavor. Inside, they are just so soft and tender.
The malanga itself might be a little tricky to find at your regular grocery store, but you can always find it online if you need to.
10. Tostones
Could it get any simpler than this? I don’t think so! Just peel and slice up a few plantains, fry them in a little oil, and then sprinkle them with sea salt. Done!
They taste absolutely fantastic, and you can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them just as they are.
11. Cuban Ham Roll-Ups
One of the reasons I’m such a huge fan of Cuban appetizers is how quick and simple they are to whip up. So many of them don’t require much cooking, and the cleanup is usually a breeze.
This recipe is another fantastic example where you just assemble everything. Spread some yellow mustard on your smoked ham slices, then layer on the cheese, lettuce, and a pickle.
Roll them up tight and pop a toothpick through the middle to hold them together. If you have any leftovers, just wrap them in plastic and they’ll keep in the fridge for up to four days.
12. Cuban Salad with Feta and Garlic Lime Vinaigrette
This salad is such a beautiful rainbow of colors! It brings together lettuce, avocados, red onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese in one bowl.
The whole thing gets tossed with a homemade garlic lime vinaigrette that gives it a zesty, herby finish. It’s so cool, crisp, and wonderfully refreshing.
13. Cuban Sandwich Dip
Here’s another fantastic choice if you’re not big on cooking. Most of the effort here is just mixing all the ingredients together; the oven takes care of the rest.
To make this delicious dip, you’ll need cream cheese, mayo, yellow mustard, cooked and diced ham and pork, dill pickles, and shredded Swiss.
Once it’s all mixed, it bakes up into a warm and creamy delight. It’s perfect on your favorite toasted bread.
14. Deviled Crab Croquettes
I know the long ingredient list on this recipe can look a little intimidating at first, but don’t let it scare you away! When you look closer, you’ll see it’s mostly just seasonings and common vegetables.
It takes a little over an hour to put together, but the result is so worth it. The crab meat is tender and perfectly seasoned, and the deep-fried croquette shells are unbelievably crispy and crunchy.
It’s definitely time well spent. They’re great with tartar or cocktail sauce, but honestly, they’re just as incredible all on their own.
15. Cuban Papas Rellenas
I just love how these look! They are delightful little golden-brown balls of pure deliciousness. They look so pretty, you might almost mistake them for sweet cinnamon sugar bites.
But inside, they’re packed with a savory filling of peppers, onions, Worcestershire sauce, ground sirloin, and garlic. The recipe makes about 25 of these adorable bites.
And if you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly option, you can just leave out the sirloin and add in some extra veggies.
16. Cuban Black Bean Soup
If you’ve never tried Cuban black bean soup, you are seriously missing out! It’s a wonderfully thick and hearty soup that feels more like a stew.
It’s packed with amazing spices, loaded with protein and veggies, and it’s completely vegan-friendly. For toppings, you can add things like sour cream and chives, some fresh pico de gallo, or corn salsa.
I personally like to go heavy on the green and white onions as a garnish.
17. Guava Cream Cheese Cuban Pastries (Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso)
When you’re craving something on the sweeter side, you have to try these fantastic cream cheese and guava pastries. They’re perfect as a dessert or a breakfast treat, and they are so simple to put together.
Besides water, you only need five things: coarse sugar, an egg, puff pastry, cream cheese, and guava paste. The recipe suggests dusting them with powdered sugar or using an egg wash and coarse sugar, which are both delicious choices.
I’m a big fan of sweet and salty, so I do an egg wash and then sprinkle a little sea salt on top. For me, it just takes them to another level of yumminess!
18. Cuban Lentil Soup
If you want a dish that’s packed with fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and iron, look no further than Cuban lentil soup.
You’ll start with a base of vegetable or low-sodium chicken broth. Then, you’ll add in your lentils, sauteed veggies, spices, herbs, tomato paste, and a ham hock. It tastes incredible and is so filling and nutritious.
What I love most is that even with all the ingredients, everything cooks in just one pot. That saves a ton of time on cleanup!
19. Cuban Beef and Zucchini Kebabs with Mojo Sauce
These simple kabobs are just grilled sirloin and zucchini, seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper. They’re good to go just like that!
The homemade sauce does take a little extra time, but it’s also super easy to make. It adds a zesty, tangy, and garlicky finish that makes the already delicious kabobs even better.
20. Cuban Style Yuca
This is such a simple and healthy dish. It’s just boiled yuca that’s been seasoned and garnished with onions, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
While the texture isn’t exactly the same, it’s pretty similar to a side of boiled potatoes, but with a little more kick. It’s a wonderfully straightforward and tasty side.