One thing I love most about Puerto Rico (aside from my suegros, of course) is the beauty of waking up and taking a morning walk to la plaza del mercado and choosing fresh produce and meat for the day.  

One of my favourite items to buy in the market is a nice, tender bistec, which is one of the most popular meats among the Puerto Rican cafeterias and family dinners.  These Puerto Rican recipes are typical dishes enjoyed around the island, and even in the mainland, as I force my guy to make it for me on a regular basis!

Although these recipes aren’t quite as delicious as those of his abuelita (grandmother), I can promise they will give you a taste of beautiful Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican Recipes: A photo of the ingredients needed for all of these recipes.

The ingredients needed for all 3 recipes.

Puerto Rican Recipes

1. Bistec en Cebollado

Cube steak sautéed with onions and vinegar

Prep time:  5 minutes
Cook time:  approximately 35 minutes
Yields:  2-3 servings

Ingredients:

  • Adobo Goya
  • 1 pound cube steak
  • 1/2 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Pound cube steak to tenderize (optional).
  2. Season cube steak with Adobo Goya to taste.
  3. Heat olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt in pan over medium heat for two minutes.
  4. Add meat and onions, cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
  5. Flip meat and cook over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
  6. Serve cube steak covered with onions.
Puerto Rican Recipes: a photo of bistec en cebollado

Bistec en cebollado – Cube steak sautéed with onions and vinegar

2. Arroz Blanco con Habichuelas Guisadas

Traditional rice and beans

Prep time:  5 minutes
Cook time:  20-25 minutes
Yields:  2-4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup diced ham
  • 1/4 cup diced potatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced pumpkin (optional)
  • 1 cup uncooked rice – cook according to directions on packaging
  • 1 can Goya Pink or Red Beans
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Sofrito Goya
  • 1 pack Goya Sazon con Culantro y Achiote
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup water

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ham, cook for two minutes.
  3. Add potatoes and pumpkin, cook for two minutes.
  4. Add salt, pepper, garlic, and 1 cup of water, cook for two minutes.
  5. Add Sofrito and Sazon, cook for five minutes.
  6. Add beans, cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Add tomato sauce, cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes.
  8. Serve beans warm over prepared white rice.

Puerto Rican Recipes: a photo of the rice & beans

3. Amarillitos

Sweet plantains

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 large ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick diagonal slices
    • NOTE:  plantains should be black to achieve desired ripeness
  • 2/3 cup oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot.
  2. Fry the plantain slices briefly (1-2 minutes per side).
  3. Reduce heat to low and cook, turning occasionally, until plantain is brown and caramelized.

VARIATION:  Lightly roll the plantain slices in white or brown sugar before frying for added sweetness.

Puerto Rican Recipes: A photo of the sweet plantains

Have you ever tried any Puerto Rican recipes? If so, let us know in the comments below – we love discovering new food!