Puerto Rican Christmas Food: 10 Easy Dishes You Can Make To Impress Your Abuela

Running out of ideas for a scrumptious Christmas spread? How about tantalizing your family’s taste-buds to Puerto Rican delicacies? These uber-delicious and filling recipes will definitely have your Abuela raving about your culinary skills. What’s more? The recipes in question are incredibly easy to make.

1) Sofrito: If you’re getting started with classic Puerto Rican recipes, there’s no way in hell that you could miss out from rustling up some good ol’ Sofrito. Simply put, Sofrito is a traditional homemade sauce, which is used as a very popular base for most Spanish dishes. A typical Dominican sofrito comprises red onions, garlic, ground oregano, cilantro, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, water, green, red and yellow peppers.

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2) Pollo Guisado: The Chilly December weather makes it the perfect time to treat your taste buds to a bowl of wholesome Chicken stew. Pollo Guisado is a delicious and easy chicken stew made using sofrito, potatoes, garlic, onions, chicken broth, tomato sauce, sazon, cumin, and bay leaf. And, if you’re trying to put your culinary skills to use this Christmas to whip up fail-safe dish, think no further than Pollo Guisado.

Get the recipe here.

3) The Puerto Rican Asopao de Pollo: The Asopao is a filling dish made of chicken thighs, garlic, green olives, and adobo seasoning. The traditional dish comprises stew and rice, and is a perfect add-on to your Christmas dining list.

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4) Slow Cooker Puerto Rican Shredded Pork: Fancy some well-made pork on your Christmas dinner table? Well, how about cooking pork roast into a slow cooker along with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, and oregano? The result will leave you extremely delighted if you follow this simple recipe to a T.

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5) Mofongo: The dish is best described as mashed green plantains served with garlic, olive oil, and pork rinds (or bacon). The delicacy can be devoured with fish or chicken broth, and are best eaten as stuffed servings filled with garlic shrimp or a seafood salad.

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6) Pastelon: Got a liking for casserole? You might want to try this Puerto Rican layered casserole. The dish is a wonderful mix of myriad flavors—sweet, salty and savory at one go.

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7) Easy Arroz con Gandules: This dish is for all the rice lovers out there. Whipping up this Puerto Rican delicacy is easier than you’ve imagined. The recipe involves cooking rice and pigeon peas together, and finishing it up by seasoning the dish with sofrito and tomato sauce. Delish yet wholesome and nutritious, Gandules ticks all the right boxes.

Get the recipe here.

8) Puerto Rican Sancocho: The Sancocho is a staple at most Puerto Rican homes. The piping hot dish entails a wholesome mix of vegetables and herbs, which include corn and pumpkin. The humble For enhanced flavor, add ginger root, chile pepper, cumin, and other ingredients. But, it is best when the rich natural vegetable taste is retained sans any jazz.

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9) Habichuelas Guisadas: This popular Puerto Rican side dish is seasoned with Sazon, sofrito, and a little tomato sauce. And, it's the perfect Christmas dinner accompaniment!

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10) Jibarito: Christmas dining is never complete without a nice traditional steak sandwich. Surprise your loved ones by adding an authentic Puerto Rican spin to your steak sandwich—add garlic and cheese between slices of fried plantain. Need we say more?

Get the recipe here.