Dear diary, I’m in love with Dominican food. Seriously though. How can you not be obsessed with a cuisine that gives us the glory of fried chicken and plantains in the same meal? It is just so good.
These recipes are everything you want dinner to be. Flavorful, unique, and totally comforting.
I am currently swooning over the crispy tostones for a quick fix, but the pasteles en hoja are also calling my name. It is a flavor party and you are invited.
1. Dominican Arepa Dulce De Maiz | Cornmeal Coconut Cake with Pumpkin
This cornmeal coconut cake is giving us all the fall vibes! It features cornmeal, coconut milk, and pumpkin puree for a cake that is flavorful and moist.
Also: all-natural ingredients so you can feel good about that second slice. Breakfast with coffee? Yes. Dessert with ice cream? Double yes. It is gorgeous and a total hit.
2. Pasteles En Hoja
Have you tried making pasteles en hoja? If not, you are missing out on a delicious treat. We are talking Dominican-style tamales made with beef plus a yummy spice and veggie filling wrapped in a plantain leaf.
(Husk or banana leaves work too!) It is a mouthwatering package of flavor that just pleases the palate.
3. Pescado Con Coco (Fish in Coconut Sauce)
If you are hunting for a way to spice up the fish routine, look at pescado con coco. This flavorful dish pairs fresh fish with a creamy coconut sauce that you can adapt to your taste.
The coconut sauce gives the signature flavor, so use fresh ingredients and cook until nice and thick. Serve with rice and beans or enjoy on its own for a light lunch. YUM.
4. Sancocho Dominicano (Meat and Roots Stew)
The best thing here is that this unique dish is packed with flavor but easy to make. This hearty stew features a variety of meats and vegetables cooked in one pot.
It is filling and satisfying and perfect for a winter night. Feel free to add extra root vegetables if you like. Serve with rice and beans for the complete meal.
5. Caribbean Beef Stew (Carne Guisada)
Are you looking for a hearty meal to warm you from the inside out? I have the perfect stew recipe! It uses simple ingredients you likely have in the pantry.
Beef is cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with onions, bell peppers, and spices. Served over rice, it is complete and satisfying. Plus, leftovers reheat well so you can enjoy for days.
6. Dominican Fried Chicken (Chicharrones de Pollo)
Chicken is a staple everywhere, but one of the tastiest methods is chicharrones de pollo. This dish features chicken marinated in a mix of garlic, lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
It is coated in batter and fried until crispy. The result is a mouthwatering explosion of flavor that leaves taste buds begging for more.
7. Tostones Recipe
Made with simple ingredients, tostones are a healthy alternative to fried foods. The key is selecting ripe plantains. Slice into thin pieces, fry until golden brown, and smash flat.
The result is a crispy and flavorful side dish that pleases everyone. Serve with dipping sauce like sour cream or salsa, or eat them on their own.
8. Mangu (Dominican Mashed Plantains)
Mangu is a traditional dish of mashed green plantains. It is served for breakfast but works as a side or main. Plantains are boiled until soft then mashed with vinegar, onion, and olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper and serve hot. It is versatile. Top with grilled chicken or pork, or enjoy on its own as a light snack.
9. Habichuelas Con Dulce
Have you had a dish so good you can’t stop eating it? That is how I feel here. This traditional recipe is made with batata (sweet potato), coconut milk, and sweetener like sugar or honey.
The combination is irresistible. Batata provides a hearty base, coconut milk adds creaminess, and sweetness takes it over the top. I could eat this every day.
If you like sweet potato casserole, you will love this.
10. Fried Sweet Plantain Slices (Platanos Maduros Fritos)
Sweet plantain slices are popular in Latin American countries as a side or snack. Unlike many fried foods, fried plantains are a delicious and nutritious treat.
The key is choosing the right ones. If too green, they will be too starchy and won’t fry properly.
11. Rice with Beans (Moro De Habichuelas)
Rice and beans can be made in myriad ways, and each is delicious. This classic dish is beloved for simple yet profound flavors.
Cooked in a flavorful sauce with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, the Dominican version is special. Serve with bread or tortillas and dig in!
12. Locrio – Dominican One Pot Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice comes in all shapes and flavors. But this might be my favorite. You marinate and cook chicken in a blend of lemon (or lime) juice, soy sauce, oregano, adobo, and garlic.
You also caramelize sugar in the pan. When you add that yummy chicken, it gets sticky and sweet. Mix in green olives and cilantro for flavor, then serve with beans and avocado.
13. Chivo Guisado Liniero (Spicy Goat Meat Stew)
Goat meat marinated in lime juice then simmered in spice-infused broth with onions, garlic, and tomatoes until tender is pretty drool-worthy.
This spicy goat stew is served over white rice with avocado and tostones. You can’t go wrong! If feeling adventurous, add extra spice by doubling cubanelle peppers.
Be warned, it is not for the faint of heart!
14. Dominican Stewed Chicken
Stewed chicken is a classic dish and it is easy to see why. The combination of flavorful spices, tender chicken, and hearty vegetables makes a delicious and satisfying meal.
The stew can be adapted for different flavors. This recipe pleases whether you like chicken spicy or mild. Add rice or beans for a heartier dish.
15. Dominican Fried Red Snapper
Snapper is a white fish low in calories and fat, making it excellent for watching weight. If you have cooked with white fish, you know it is mild. It is begging for herbs and spices!
This version calls for lime juice, garlic, pepper, salt, oregano, onion powder, and adobo. It is zippy, citrusy, and spicy. Serve with salsa of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro.
Cold Mexican beers or white wine make everything better.
16. La Bandera Dominicana
The national dish is La Bandera, which means “the flag.” It represents the country’s colors and is made with red beans, white rice, and meat.
Beans and rice provide complex carbohydrates to keep you full, while meat provides protein. You can feel good about every spoonful.
17. Dominican Chimichurri Burger
Embellished with flavorful chimichurri, crunchy cabbage, and garlicky sauce, this juicy burger is the perfect summer meal.
Bold flavors of chimichurri complement the richness of beef, while cabbage adds texture and flavor. Served with fries or fresh salad, this burger is a nice change from BBQ fare.
18. Yaroa Recipe
Yaroa is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be served as a main or side. This popular street food is a version of loaded fries often made with root veggies like yuca or plantains instead of potatoes.
There is a tasty topping of ground beef with sautéed onions, garlic, and tomatoes. The dish is hearty and filling and customizable.
19. Majarete (Corn Pudding)
Few things are comforting like a warm bowl of majarete. Made with whole corn cobs, milk, sugar, and spices, it has a creamy, sweet flavor that is irresistible.
Try it with ice cream or chocolate sauce and you will go weak in the knees. Once you try majarete, you will be hooked!
20. Simple Homemade Dominican Sofrito
If you are like me, you are looking for new and exciting recipes. This simple homemade Dominican sofrito fits the bill.
This flavorful sauce is perfect for rice, beans, or chicken and is easy to make. It is a great way to add spice to cooking.
21. Chofan
Chofan is a delicious rice and bean meal usually served with chicken or pork. It is packed with flavor. The best part is it can be tailored to your taste.
A few tweaks and it will be as spicy or mild as you like. If worried about time, chofan can be on the table in under an hour.
22. Quipe/Kipe
Quipe is a traditional Lebanese dish made from bulgur wheat and ground meat. This recipe gives it a Dominican twist.
Beef is mixed with veggies and spices and slowly browned in a pan. The next step is to deep fry it. The final result is a fragrant, crunchy, and yummy bite that will impress guests.
23. Spicy Oxtail Stew (Rabo Encendio)
Oxtail is an acquired taste. But once you acquire it, there is no going back. This dish is for the true oxtail aficionado.
Spicy, savory, and packed with flavor, this mouthwatering stew leaves tastebuds tingling. Oxtail is slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The spice blend of adobo, oregano, and crushed red pepper gives signature heat. Serve over rice or with crusty bread and you will be happy.
24. Harina De Maiz (Dominican Cornmeal Porridge)
Autumn is the perfect time to cozy up with a bowl of hot porridge. Traditionally made with cornmeal, milk, and sugar, you can serve this sweet or savory. Mine is savory!
I like it with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. If you go for the sweet version, grate fresh nutmeg on top for a burst of flavor.
25. Empanaditas / Pastelitos
There is nothing like a warm, flaky empanadita straight out of the pan. Stuffed with a savory filling and wrapped in delicate dough, these little pies are impossible to resist.
While they may look complicated, empanaditas are relatively easy even for beginner cooks.
