If you were lucky enough to grow up with an abuela who cooked up a storm, then you know that some foods just bring back all the memories of sitting at a table with exquisite Latin food that was lovingly prepared. Heck, sometimes those foods weren't even prepared by your own abuela, but if you were invited to feast on them, you felt like family. We've gathered some recipes from all over Latin America that many abuelas have prepared for generations. These recipes endure because they are delicious, comforting, and always make you want to come back for more.
More from MamásLatinas: Delicious foods featuring Latin ingredients
Also, you don't have to be an abuela to make them. You can even make them for your abuela or with your abuela. The point is to make them and help others create the kind of memories that bring them joy whenever they think of these dishes. We've got all sorts of winning recipes to share including arepas from Venezuela, baleadas from Honduras, pozole from Mexico, and so many more mouthwatering dishes from Latin America.
Make pupusas from El Salvador
Pupusas are a popular Salvadoran dish, so popular that they are the national dish of El Salvador. They are round cakes of masa stuffed with various ingredients, cooked up on a gridle and served with a side of cabbage curtido. Get the recipe here.
Make sancocho from the Dominican Republic.
Dominican sancocho is similar to gumbo. Traditionally, it incorporates seven different kinds of meats, but as you can see from the recipe we've linked to, you can always modify to your taste. Get the recipe here.
Make arepas from Venezuela.
Arepas are a pre-Hispanic hand cake that can be stuffed with just about anything. This particular version is stuffed with chicken salad and avocado slices. Get the recipe here.
Make pasteles from Puerto Rico.
Pasteles are basically a vegetable puree stuffed with meat. They get wrapped in a banana leaf and are steamed or boiled. They often get compared to Mexican tamales, but they are totally different. Get the recipe here.
Make arroz con gandules from Puerto Rico.
Arroz con gandules is also known as party rice. Maybe because it's a party in your mouth or because it's a favorite at parties. Or probably both. It's a popular Puerto Rican dish that gets made with rice and pigeon peas. Get the recipe here.
Make bandeja paisa from Colombia.
Bandeja paisa is basically a Colombian feast on a platter. This particular version includes beans, rice, powdered beef, fried eggs, plantains, and avocado. You'd best be hungry when you sit down to a plate of this because it's a whole lot of good stuff. Get the recipe here.
Make lomo saltado from Peru.
Lomo saltado, a popular and well-known dish from Peru, is a stir-fry of marinated beef and fries with seasonings that make it sing. It's very hearty and filling. Get the recipe here.
Make empanadas from Chile.
Lots of countries feature empanadas in their cuisine, but the ones from Chile are traditionally filled with diced beef, onions, as well as olives, hard-boiled eggs, and raisins. Get the recipe here.
Make pozole from Mexico.
Mexican pozole is a soup made of meat and hominy. It can be made in three varieties: green, red, or white. Those also happen to be the colors of the Mexican flag. Each color has die-hard fans, but honestly they are all delicious. Get the recipe here.
Make baleadas from Honduras.
A simple Honduran baleada is composed of a flour tortilla with refried beans, crema, and queso duro, but the possibilities are endless because there are so many other possible things you could add. Get the recipe here.
Make tamales from Mexico.
Mexican tamales are extremely popular during the end of the year holidays, but they are also enjoyed year-round. They are made of masa, stuffed with your filling of choice, and wrapped in corn husks. Get the recipe here.
Make ropa vieja from Cuba.
The name translates to "old clothes" in English and the dish does look a bit like old shredded fabric, but it tastes so much better. It pairs well with black beans and rice. Get the recipe here.
Make nacatamal from Nicaragua.
If you are not familiar with nacatamal, it is similar to a tamal in that it is made of masa and stuffed with something yummy. This Nicaraguan favorite is wrapped in plantain leaves. It's often enjoyed at breakfast. Get the recipe here.
Make congri from Cuba.
Congri, which is a mixture of black beans and rice, is so much more than just beans and rice. The addition of spices and flavors turn what would otherwise be a very simple dish into a complex combination of flavors that seems greater than the sum of its parts. Get the recipe here.
Make feijoada from Brazil.
Brazil's national dish feijoada is a black bean and pork stew that always hits the spot and leaves you satisfied. If you are cooking dried black beans from scratch, remember to soak them overnight. Get the recipe here.
