17 Amazing Latin American Comfort Food Recipes That Are a Must to Make
Fried plantains, arepas, empanadas and more!
There are certainly dishes that are universally associated with Latin America. We all know and love those crowd-pleasing specialties like empanadas, arroz con pollo and flan, which seem to cross borders and have been core to the cuisine in several Latin American countries. But besides these beloved meals that we all know and love, there are endless delicious Latin American comfort foods to explore as well.
Just within Latin America itself, there’s a lot of diversity. After all, Latin America includes countries in North and Central America like Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras, South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia as well as the islands of the Caribbean such as Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti. And while Mexico gets a fair share of the spotlight for its beloved taco recipes and enchiladas, there’s no shortage of tempting options from other countries—from Brazilian cheese bread and Venezuelan arepas to Argentinian chimichurri.
We pulled together a few of our favorites — all comfort foods at heart. So whether you’re looking for a cozy soup, Hispanic dinner recipe or a scrumptious dessert — these picks are guaranteed to make you feel good.
Enchiladas Verdes
Rotisserie chicken, homemade salsa verde and plenty of Monterey Jack turn this into a crowd-pleasing Mexican-inspired dinner.
Get the Enchiladas Verdes recipe.
Fried Plantains
Side dishes don’t get more addictive than this. All you need is a little sprinkle of sea salt.
Get the Fried Plantains recipe.
RELATED: 29 Latinx-Owned Food Brands and Businesses to Shop ASAP
Picadillo Meatballs
Made of ground beef, olives, and raisins, picadillo is a staple in Latin countries like Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Our take transforms those ingredients into adorable meatball form, practically guaranteeing it’ll be a hit with kids.
Get the Picadillo Meatballs recipe.
RELATED: 65 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner
Chicken and Avocado Salad Arepas
Venezuela is known for its arepas stuffed with tasty fillings. This one features an easy-to-make, zingy avocado-chicken salad.
Chimichurri Strip Steak
Over grilled steak, a flavorful Argentine herb sauce packs a satisfying punch.
Get the Chimichurri Strip Steak recipe.
Chicken Suizas Nachos
Inspired by the Mexican dish Enchilada Suizas, these nachos come together easily in a sheet pan along with a creamy salsa verde sauce.
Get the Chicken Suizas Nachos recipe.
Guava and Cheese Empanadas
What takes this classic empanada filling to another level is the use of goat cheese instead of cream cheese. Oh, and the flaky, buttery crust is to die for.
Get the Guava and Cheese Empanadas recipe from Woman's Day.
Tacos Gobernador
Tacos in any form are delicious, but this weeknight-friendly version made with spicy, buttery shrimp is transcendent.
Get the Tacos Gobernador recipe from Woman's Day.
Sopa de Lima
Think of this authentic Mexican dish as an upgraded chicken soup, thanks to a kick of citrus and warming spices.
Get the Sopa de Lima recipe from Woman's Day.
Arroz con Pollo
Homey, in the most delicious way, this sofrito-spiked dish of chicken and rice is the backbone of so many Latin American cuisines.
Get the Arroz con Pollo recipe from Woman's Day.
Best-Ever Flan
Big-time caramel vibes are what make this rich custard the go-to Latin American dessert.
Get the Best-Ever Flan recipe from Delish.
Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
These cheesy balls of bread are famous throughout Brazil. Trust us, you won’t be able to eat just one.
Get the Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) recipe from Delish.
Strawberry-Horchata Shaved Ice
Creamy, fruity and cold. This treat is the ultimate in summertime refreshment for hot, steamy days.
Get the Strawberry-Horchata Shaved Ice recipe from Woman's Day.
Chacarero
This filling Chilean steak sandwich feels gourmet with the unexpected addition of green beans.
Get the Chacarero recipe from Woman's Day.
Tres Leches Cake
This traditional Latin American dessert is essentially sponge cake soaked in three types of milk (evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream—hence the name), then topped with whipped cream. In a word: heavenly.
Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
Lechon Asado
Roasted pork that’s been marinated in a Cuban citrus-garlic mojo is tender and oh-so-mouthwatering.
Get the Lechon Asado recipe from A Cozy Kitchen.
Arepas de Choclo
Crispy corn cakes — popular in Colombia — are yummy all on their alone, but top them with fresh tomatoes, avocado, and cheese, and you get sweet-and-savory perfection.
Get the Arepas de Choclo recipe from Woman's Day.
Horseradish, Tomato and Steak Pasta
Stone Fruit and Zucchini Corn Salad
5-Ingredient Sticky Grilled Chicken
16 Healthier and Hearty Sandwiches
