Cuban Christmas Food Ideas for Festive Holidays!

CUBAN CHRISTMAS RECIPES
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In Cuban culture, Christmas Eve is the highlight of the holiday season, so you know they go all out to prepare a magnificent dinner. Besides delish food, the best part is the lively, festive salsa rhythms and family traditions passed down for generations. Cuban cuisine is a beautiful cultural fusion of Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, so you already assume it will be spicy, aromatic, and fun! Here is the best Cuban food to prepare for Christmas!

Lechón Asado – Cuban Pork Roast

Starting strong, roasted whole pig is a holiday staple in Cuba. Cubans prepare it in a “Caja China” – a large box-like oven, so it has a special aroma. Marinade for pork is fantastic – mojo sauce made with garlic, sour orange juice, and spices. YUM!

Tender Lechon Asado (Cuban Roast Pork Recipe)
Cuban roast pork (aka lechon asado) marinated in a homemade flavorful garlic-citrus paste marinade and slow roasted to perfection!
Check out this recipe
Tender Lechon Asado (Cuban Roast Pork Recipe)

Moros y Cristianos – Cuban Rice and Beans

This dish is a perfect fusion of black beans (moros) and white rice (cristianos), but the secret to the unique aroma is rich herbs and spices. These two elements represent a cultural fusion: black beans symbolize the Moors (Muslims), and the white rice represents the Christians in Spain; intriguing, right?

Moros y Cristianos (Congrí)
Ever so often, we come across a dish that makes us want to jump up and dance because of the aromas that fill our home while cooking it. Well, this Cuban rice dish, Moros y Cristianos will make you want to pump up the salsa music and grab a mojito!
Check out this recipe
Moros y Cristianos (Congrí)

Plátanos Maduros – Fried Plantains

This is definitely one of the most beloved side dishes in Cuban cuisine. It has a sweet, caramel-y flavor and soft texture, making it an ideal match to savory dishes – rice, beans, and meat. It complements dishes like Moros y Cristianos, Lechón Asado, and Ropa Vieja wonderfully!

Fried Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
These sweet fried plantain slices or platanos maduros are fried until crispy and caramelized. Made in under 10 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Fried Plantains (Platanos Maduros)

Ensalada de Aguacate – Cuban-Style Avocado Salad

After all that meat, you’ll want something simple on the side! This Cuban avocado and onion salad with some refreshing dressing pairs flawlessly with anything you’re serving!

“Nao Saia Da Praca” Ensalada de Aguacate (Cuban Avocado Salad)
Ensalada de Aguacate – an avocado salad that is the ultimate triple threat – flavor, easy, and healthy. Just slice, mix, and serve this vegetable side dish.
Check out this recipe
“Nao Saia Da Praca” Ensalada de Aguacate (Cuban Avocado Salad)

Flan Cubano

Everyone says this is the best and most loved Cuban dessert, so it is a staple for special occasions! It is not the simplest dessert to prepare, but its creamy, rich, and luxurious texture makes it all worth it.

Cuban Flan Is The Best Cuban Dessert!
Cuban flan is, hands-down, the most popular Cuban dessert, and for a good reason. It’s a luscious, creamy, special-occasion-worthy dessert that is super easy to do. This is the dessert that’s on every table on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena).
Check out this recipe
Cuban Flan Is The Best Cuban Dessert!

Arroz con Pollo – Cuban Chicken and Rice

This is an authentic Cuban recipe, and I feel hungry just from looking at this photo. It is a perfect, aromatic fusion of chicken, rice, veggies, and spices. Arroz con Pollo is just what you need for Christmas – homey but not too heavy.

Cuban Arroz Con Pollo (Cuban Chicken & Rice)
Cuban arroz con pollo! A classic, one-pot rice dish made with chicken, rice, tomato sauce, bell peppers, and spices. The best comfort food!
Check out this recipe
Cuban Arroz Con Pollo (Cuban Chicken & Rice)

Black Beans and Rice Chicken

The Cuban Black Beans and Rice with Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish, combining marinated chicken, tangy mango salsa, and soft black beans, all served with cilantro-lime rice and sweet fried bananas.

Black Beans and Rice with Chicken
This recipe offers a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Cuban cuisine in every bite.
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Black Beans and Rice with Chicken

Frijoles Negros – Black Beans

Frijoles negros are one more classic recipe from Cuban cuisine. It is just what its name says – black beans with spices. It is very common to make it for Christmas, as it pairs with pork roast impeccably.

Tía Lourdes’ Cuban Frijoles Negros (Black Beans) – Domestic Gourmet
My Tía Lourdes’ frijoles negros is my most treasured written recipe, and, with her permission, I am sharing it with you.
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Tía Lourdes’ Cuban Frijoles Negros (Black Beans) - Domestic Gourmet

Ropa Vieja – Cuban Beef Stew

As you can see, this is one more meat-centered dish on this list, but this one is slow-cooked beef in wine and broth. It is everything you’d want to serve for big gatherings – warm, hearty, rich, super flavorful, and a true crowd-pleaser.

Cuban Ropa Vieja
Cuban Ropa Vieja is made with flank steak braised in a flavorful sauce made with bell peppers, onions and briny pimento stuffed olives. Slow Cooker & Instant Pot cooking instructions included.
Check out this recipe
Cuban Ropa Vieja

Pastelitos de Guayaba – Guava Pastry

Who could say no to sweet guava paste wrapped in flaky pastry? Because Christmas in Cuba is pretty warm, confectioners with tropical fruits are a must! As soon as I find guava paste somewhere, I’m testing this recipe!

Pastelitos de Guayaba Recipe (Guava Pastry)
Marta’s Homemade Pastelitos de Guayaba Recipe (Guava Pastry) My husband is an Internet Marketing Guy. (He prefers to be called “The Marketing Guru,” but
Check out this recipe
Pastelitos de Guayaba Recipe (Guava Pastry)

Buñelos Cubanos – Dougnuts in Syrup

Here is one more interesting sweet treat that is signature for Cubans. Submerged in spicy syrup made with cinnamon and anise – these pillowy yet crunchy pastries are a rhapsody of flavors. No wonder they are a staple for Christmas Eve!

Cuban Bunuelos with Cinnamon-Anise Syrup
Bunuelos Cubanos are pillowy soft, doughy, fried pastries made with yuca and malanga, shaped into figure 8s, then coated in homemade cinnamon-anise syrup.
Check out this recipe
Cuban Bunuelos with Cinnamon-Anise Syrup

Chicharrones – Fried Pork Skin

There is no Cuban party without chicharrones, right? This is one of those dishes that is not for everyone, as it involves deep-fried pork belly skins. When you drizzle it with lime juice, you get a super crispy, super salty, and super tangy bite (like a carnivore tequila). 

Crispy Chicharrones (Cuban-Style Fried Pork Belly)
Chicharrones are thick strips of pork belly, fried to crispy perfection. Learn how to make them 2 ways – on the stovetop or in the air fryer.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Chicharrones (Cuban-Style Fried Pork Belly)

Cubans and lovers of Cuban cuisine, thank you for these splendid recipes! Tradition and food are a truly perfect match!

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