Cuban food is full of incredible flavor, and if you haven’t tried it yet you’re missing out! If you’re stuck in a recipe rut, there’s no better way to get out of it than by exploring another culture’s cuisine and learning about their incredible recipes and meals. Learning about other cultures is so important, and if you can do so while also getting to enjoy a delicious meal, then that’s even better! Find these recipes on our Food Monster App, and get cooking some Cuban food!

1. Cuban Lentil Soup With Baked Plantains and Lemon Crema

Image Source: Cuban Lentil Soup With Baked Plantains and Lemon Crema

This Cuban Lentil Soup With Baked Plantains and Lemon Crema from Karen Sheer is comfort in a bowl – chock full of vegetables and classic Cuban onion and garlic essence with a kick. This is a robust soup with plenty of vegetables and spiced up with traditional Cuban flavors. Garnished with a lemon-crema and irresistible baked plantains, this dish is warming and full of nutrition!

2. Papas Rellenas: Eggplant and Potato Croquettes

Image Source: Papas Rellenas: Eggplant and Potato Croquettes

Papas Rellenas are a type of croquette popular in many Latin American countries. In this Papas Rellenas: Eggplant and Potato Croquettes recipe from Cruelty Free Family, the crispy potato croquettes have a savory, sweet, and spicy eggplant filling that’s surrounded by creamy mashed potatoes. They’re then paired with a creamy and irresistible avocado sauce for dipping. These are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, but it’s also worth making mashed potatoes just to experience this flavorful appetizer.

3. Cuban Black Beans

Image Source: Cuban Black Beans

These made-from-scratch Cuban-style beans are spiced with garlic, onion, cumin, and oregano. Totally traditional and totally fabulous! If you are short on time you could technically use canned black beans, but the flavor of home-cooked beans is so much more delicious and authentic. These Cuban Black Beans from Katrina Abram can be served by themselves or with rice, fried plantains, and sliced avocado to create a full meal!

4. Grilled Cuban Tofu Sandwich

Image Source: Cuban Grilled Tofu Sandwich

This Cuban Grilled Tofu Sandwich from Zsu Dever will transport you straight to the winding streets of Havana. The tofu is marinated in a zesty mojo sauce that is just the right mixture of sweet and tangy, then it’s sandwiched between toasty bread that’s stuffed with fresh watercress, bread, and butter pickles, spicy mustard, and melty vegan cheese before being grilled to perfection.

5. Cuban Black Bean Mango Bowl

Image Source: Cuban Black Bean Mango Bowl

The food bowl trend is far from going away! Enjoy this Cuban-inspired meal that features black beans, a refreshing mango salsa, and protein-packed quinoa. This Cuban Black Bean Mango Bowl from Tara Binder is the ideal lunch or dinner choice if you are in a hurry or need to pack food to eat on the go.

6. Perfect Cuban Mojitos

Image Source: Perfect Cuban Mojitos

The perfect Cuban Mojito is sweet, sour, crisp, and refreshing. This version, which does not require simple syrup, takes only a couple of minutes to make. Check out these Perfect Cuban Mojitos from Rebecca Blackwell!

7. Cuban-Style Crockpot Quinoa and Red Beans

Image Source: Cuban-Style Crockpot Quinoa and Red Beans

Cuban flavored red beans and quinoa made in a slow cooker. This is a quick and simple dinner recipe for the whole family. It makes itself, so, you don’t have to put any effort into making it. Eat this Cuban-Style Crockpot Quinoa and Red Beans from Rini Desai by itself or use it in taco recipes!

8. Oyster Mushroom Ropa Vieja

Image Source: Oyster Mushroom Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja is one of Cuba’s designated national dishes. So, how do you veganize Ropa Vieja? Mushrooms! Actually, shredded oyster mushrooms. The flavors in this Oyster Mushroom Ropa Vieja from Lisa Dawn Angerame are amazing – between the mushrooms, wine, capers, and olives – you can’t go wrong.

9. Tempeh Cubano Sandwich

Image Source: Tempeh Cubano Sandwich

After you marinate the tempeh, this is the quickest, easiest, and yummiest sandwich you will ever have. It will be an awesome alternative to tofu when you have enough of that (though, who knows if that is possible). You can quickly assemble this Tempeh Cubano Sandwich from Molly Patrick for lunch, for picnics, for anything! Give it a go!!

10. Natilla (Custard)

Image Source: Natilla (Custard)

Natilla is a Cuban dessert and like other custards, it’s usually made with egg yolks. Here’s a vegan version that substitutes the milk and the egg using some fresh almond milk and some vegan egg. Your new go-to dessert will be this Natilla (Custard) from Desiree Rodriguez!