Cuban cuisine

Cuban cuisine is the culinary tradition of Cuba, shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences and known for dishes built around rice, beans, pork, and plantains.

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Sofrito: A sautéed mixture of aromatics used as a flavor base in many cuisines. Cuban sofrito seasons beans, stews, and rice with garlic, onion, and peppers.
Ropa vieja: A Cuban dish of shredded beef simmered with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and seasonings. It is one of Cuba’s best-known preparations of slow-cooked beef.
Taíno: An Indigenous people of the Caribbean, including Cuba, before and during European colonization. Taíno cultivation and foodways contributed crops and techniques to Cuban cooking.
Cuban sandwich: A pressed sandwich typically made with Cuban bread, roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. It carries Cuban ingredients into a widely recognized street and café food.
Puerto Rican cuisine: The culinary tradition of Puerto Rico, shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. Both cuisines share Caribbean ingredients but developed distinct seasonings and signature dishes.
Black beans and rice: A staple pairing of cooked beans and rice found across Latin America and the Caribbean. The pairing anchors everyday Cuban meals in dishes such as moros y cristianos.
Lechón asado: A Spanish-speaking Caribbean preparation of roast pork, often marinated with garlic and citrus. Cuban celebrations commonly center on pork roasted with mojo.
Spanish colonization of Cuba: The Spanish conquest and colonial rule of Cuba, beginning in the late fifteenth century. Spanish settlement introduced livestock, wheat, and culinary practices that reshaped island diets.
Cuban coffee: Strong, sweet espresso-style coffee traditionally prepared with sugar in Cuba. Coffee is a daily ritual and a defining part of Cuban hospitality.
Dominican cuisine: The culinary tradition of the Dominican Republic, combining Indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. Its rice-and-bean meals resemble Cuban staples while using different preparations and names.