Ask a Puerto Rican chef [1] (or, frankly, anyone from Puerto Rico) what defines the island's cuisine [2], and they'll absolutely respond with one delicious word: sofrito. The heart of Latin Caribbean food and the base of virtually all recipes, sofrito is a customizable combination of root vegetables, beans, garlic, and seasonings. Ready to make your own? Keep reading for some mouthwatering, easy-to-whip-up recipes that beautifully incorporate those signature flavors, transforming them into seriously comforting meals.
Once you're done, discover the whiskey cocktail [3] everyone in Puerto Rico is sipping.
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Get the recipe: Cuban black bean soup [4]
Picadillo
Get the recipe: picadillo [5]
Arroz Con Pollo
Get the recipe: arroz con pollo [6]
Carne Guisada
Get the recipe: carne guisada [7]
Sofrito Egg Scramble
Get the recipe: sofrito egg scramble [8]
Sofrito Zucchini Pasta With Beans and Lightly Friend Plantains
Get the recipe: sofrito zucchini pasta with beans and lightly friend plantains [9]
Pollo Guisado
Get the recipe: pollo guisado [10]
Pea Shoot Radish and Fermented Jalapeño Tostadas
Get the recipe: pea shoot radish and fermented jalapeño tostadas [11]
Puerto Rican Chicken and Plantain Dumplings
Get the recipe: Puerto Rican chicken and plantain dumplings [12]
Puerto Rican Sancocho
Get the recipe: Puerto Rican sancocho [13]