North America · Central America
60 recipes
A hearty and flavorful fish soup, often made with a variety of fresh fish and vegetables, seasoned with local herbs and spices. It's a comforting dish popular in coastal regions.
Whole fried red snapper, crispy on the outside and flaky within, served with a vibrant and fresh 'ranchera' salad, a popular coastal dish.
A flavorful Costa Rican chicken dish featuring a vibrant sauce made with fresh cilantro (culantro), onions, peppers, and spices. It's a staple in many Tico households, offering a fresh and aromatic taste of the country's culinary heritage.
A beloved Costa Rican side dish or snack, featuring sweet, ripe plantains that are fried until caramelized and served with a dollop of creamy natilla (sour cream) and grated cheese. It's a simple yet satisfying combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
Arroz de Maíz con Pollo is a hearty and flavorful dish from the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, featuring corn kernels cooked with chicken and aromatic vegetables. It's a comforting and traditional meal, often prepared for family gatherings.
Chorreadas are savory corn fritters, a popular snack or side dish in Costa Rica. Made from fresh corn kernels, they are typically pan-fried until golden and crispy, often served with sour cream or a light salad.
Central America's quintessential breakfast staple: perfectly seasoned rice and black beans fried together with aromatic vegetables and fresh cilantro. A simple yet deeply satisfying dish.
These are tender, steamed corn cakes made from fresh, grated corn kernels, often sweetened slightly and sometimes enriched with milk or butter. They are a delightful way to enjoy the sweetness of fresh corn, distinct from tamales.
A refreshing and tangy appetizer made with pejibaye (peach palm fruit), lime juice, and finely chopped vegetables. It's a unique way to enjoy the tropical flavors of Costa Rica.
A flavorful rice dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked with aromatic vegetables and spices, often enhanced with a touch of achiote for its vibrant color. This is a popular and delicious main course in Costa Rica.
Savory corn pancakes, a popular Costa Rican breakfast or snack, made from fresh corn, flour, and spices, often served with natilla (sour cream) or a light syrup.
A refreshing and flavorful Costa Rican-style ceviche featuring fresh sea bass (corvina) marinated in lime juice with finely chopped vegetables and cilantro.
A beloved dessert in Costa Rica, this moist sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of three milks and topped with a light meringue or whipped cream.
A delightful Costa Rican dish featuring pan-fried fish fillets bathed in a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce. This recipe balances the savory notes of the fish with the tropical sweetness of pineapple, creating a light yet flavorful meal.
A hearty and flavorful beef stew, this version of Olla de Carne incorporates the sweetness of ripe plantains, adding a unique Costa Rican twist to the traditional hearty soup. It's a comforting and complete meal, perfect for family gatherings.
Sweet corn tamales, a delightful dessert or snack in Costa Rica, made from fresh corn masa, sweetened with sugar and often flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, then steamed in corn husks.
A savory and hearty Costa Rican dish made with green papaya, beef, and potatoes, seasoned with traditional spices. It's often served with tortillas.
A flavorful and tender chicken dish marinated and slow-cooked in a tangy vinegar-based sauce with vegetables, creating a unique sweet and sour profile.
A hearty and flavorful soup made with tripe, vegetables, and rice, often considered a comforting and traditional Costa Rican dish. This version incorporates rice directly into the soup for a more substantial meal.
A popular Costa Rican layered dish consisting of rice, beans, pico de gallo, and crispy pork rinds (chicharrón). It's a flavorful and textural delight, often served as a tapa or appetizer.
A hearty and flavorful black bean soup, a staple in Costa Rican cuisine, often enriched with hard-boiled eggs and a touch of cilantro.
A savory pie made with 'chiverre' (a type of squash), typically filled with seasoned ground meat and vegetables, encased in a cornmeal crust.
A flavorful and comforting Costa Rican dish featuring chicken simmered in a rich, tangy sauce made with pickled vegetables (curtido) and aromatic spices. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional chicken preparations, highlighting the country's love for vibrant, complex flavors.
A hearty and comforting beef stew, 'Olla de Carne', traditionally made with various root vegetables and tender chunks of beef. This version is elevated by serving it with a side of fragrant 'Arroz de Coco' (Coconut Rice), a popular accompaniment on the Caribbean coast.
A moist and sweet cake made with ripe plantains, a delightful dessert or snack that showcases the tropical flavors of Costa Rica.
A flavorful rice dish made with pigeon peas (guandú), often cooked with coconut milk and aromatic spices, offering a taste of Caribbean influence in Costa Rican cuisine.
A rich and flavorful seafood stew, often made with coconut milk, root vegetables, and various types of fish and shellfish. It's a staple in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, known for its comforting and aromatic qualities.
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a vibrant, herbaceous sauce made with pine nuts and cilantro, offering a unique and flavorful twist on chicken dishes.
A rich and flavorful beef and vegetable stew, Olla de Carne is a comforting and traditional Costa Rican soup. It features tender chunks of beef simmered with a variety of root vegetables and corn, creating a deeply satisfying meal.
A flavorful one-pot rice and chicken dish, simmered with vegetables and achiote for its characteristic yellow hue and mild, earthy flavor. A comforting and popular meal.
A popular and refreshing Costa Rican street food, Vigorón is a vibrant salad featuring boiled yuca, chicharrones (fried pork rinds), and a tangy cabbage slaw, all drizzled with a zesty lime dressing.
Crispy, twice-fried green plantain slices, a beloved Costa Rican snack or side dish. They are golden brown on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for dipping.
A unique and flavorful ceviche made with pianguas (a type of mangrove clam), lime juice, and finely chopped vegetables. This dish is a delicacy, particularly popular in coastal regions like Golfito.
Crispy, twice-fried green plantains (patacones) served with a flavorful tomato and onion relish (hogao). This is a popular appetizer or side dish, showcasing the versatility of plantains.
A hearty and traditional Costa Rican soup made with beef tripe, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. This dish is a testament to the resourcefulness of Costa Rican cuisine, often found in local eateries rather than tourist hotspots.
A vibrant and flavorful chicken dish featuring a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce infused with fresh cilantro, offering a delightful tropical taste.
A traditional and hearty Costa Rican meal, the Casado is a plate that typically includes rice, black beans, a protein (like fish, chicken, or beef), fried plantains, salad, and a fried egg. It's a complete and balanced meal, often considered a national dish.
A bright and zesty Costa Rican lemon cake, this bizcocho is moist, tender, and infused with the refreshing flavor of fresh lemon. It's a delightful dessert or afternoon treat, often enjoyed with coffee.
A traditional Costa Rican rice cake, often made with cooked rice, coconut milk, sugar, and spices. It has a dense, moist texture and a subtly sweet, tropical flavor, typically enjoyed as a dessert or snack.
A refreshing and tangy appetizer featuring firm green mangoes marinated in lime juice with fresh herbs and vegetables, offering a delightful sweet and sour profile.
A rich and flavorful seafood soup, typical of Costa Rica's coastal regions. It features a medley of fresh seafood in a savory broth, often enhanced with vegetables and a hint of spice.
A beloved dessert in Costa Rica, this moist sponge cake is soaked in a mixture of three milks: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream, often topped with a light meringue or whipped cream.
A hearty and flavorful beef soup, Caldo de Res is a comforting Costa Rican classic, brimming with tender chunks of beef, a variety of root vegetables, and aromatic herbs. It's a staple in many Tico households, especially on cooler days.
A delightful rice dish combining sweet pineapple with savory pork, creating a balanced and tropical flavor profile. This dish is often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings, showcasing the use of local fruits and meats.
A creamy and comforting Costa Rican rice pudding, often infused with cinnamon and citrus zest, offering a sweet and satisfying dessert experience.
A comforting and flavorful rice casserole featuring tender hearts of palm, often enriched with a creamy béchamel sauce and topped with melted cheese. This dish is a popular choice for family meals and gatherings.
A flavorful and comforting one-pot dish featuring tender chicken and rice simmered with aromatic vegetables and seasoned with traditional Costa Rican spices. It's a staple at family gatherings and celebrations.
A classic Costa Rican vanilla pound cake, known for its dense yet moist crumb and simple, comforting flavor. Often served during holidays and special occasions.
A hearty and comforting beef soup, deeply flavorful with a variety of root vegetables, showcasing the rustic heartiness of Costa Rican home cooking.
A creamy and aromatic rice pudding infused with the tropical flavors of coconut milk and cinnamon. This dessert is a beloved classic in Costa Rica, offering a comforting sweetness with a hint of exotic flair.
A sweet and savory pastry, Empanadas de Chiverre are a beloved Costa Rican treat, especially popular during Lent and Easter. These turnovers are filled with a unique sweet filling made from chiverre (a type of squash) and panela (unrefined whole cane sugar), often spiced with cinnamon and cloves.
A rich and flavorful seafood stew, "Cazuela de Mariscos" is a comforting Costa Rican classic, often prepared with a variety of fresh seafood simmered in a creamy coconut milk broth with aromatic vegetables and spices. It's a taste of the Pacific coast, perfect for a hearty meal.
A savory and hearty vegetable hash made with arracache (a root vegetable similar to parsnip), ground meat, vegetables, and spices.
A variation on the classic Costa Rican breakfast or light meal, this dish features perfectly cooked rice and beans (pinto), a fried egg, and sweet, caramelized fried plantains. It offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and rich flavors.
Traditional Costa Rican corn pancakes, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. Made from fresh corn, they have a slightly sweet and savory flavor, best served with natilla (sour cream) or cheese.
A flavorful rice dish featuring roasted piquillo peppers, often cooked with chicken or vegetables, offering a sweet and slightly smoky profile.
A delightful twist on the classic rice pudding, this Costa Rican version incorporates the tropical flavor of coconut milk, creating a rich, creamy, and aromatic dessert. It's often enjoyed warm or chilled.
A refreshing and vibrant appetizer that balances the sweetness of ripe mango with the tang of lime and a hint of spice. This vegetarian ceviche is a delightful twist on traditional seafood ceviche, perfect for a light starter or side dish.
Sweet, ripe plantains baked until tender and then filled with melted cheese. A popular side dish or appetizer that balances sweet and savory flavors.
A flavorful and aromatic rice dish featuring pigeon peas, often cooked with pork or chicken, and seasoned with a blend of traditional Costa Rican spices. This dish is a staple for celebrations and family gatherings.
