Get your appetite ready for a serious flavor adventure with these comforting dishes. Colombian cuisine offers hearty meals that keep your stomach full and your tastebuds happy.
I have gathered 25 authentic Colombian recipes to introduce you to this incredible gastronomic world.
1. Colombian Green Plantains
You can make one of the easiest Colombian recipes right in your own kitchen. I love how simple this method is for green plantains.
You just smash them into thin slices and fry them until they turn brown. A light sprinkling of salt finishes them off perfectly.
Try topping these savory bites with hogao or guacamole for extra flavor. My family devours them.
2. Colombian Chicken and Potato Stew
This dish comes straight from Bogota City. Locals call it ajiaco and love it for good reason.
It feels like a warm and comforting hug in a bowl. You will find chicken mixed with Andean potatoes and corn.
I like to add avocado slices and sour cream on top. Capers and cilantro also make excellent garnishes for this balanced meal.
3. Colombian Coffee
Coffee lovers need to try this version of the classic hot drink. Colombians prefer their coffee sweet and light.
It has a distinct nutty finish that sets it apart. The brewing process uses aguapanela to bring a wonderful sweetness to the cup.
Make sure you use freshly ground Colombian beans for the most authentic taste. The rich soil there produces mild and aromatic beans.
4. Arepas
You can find this popular food on streets all over Colombia. It starts with a sweet cornmeal dough.
You deep fry the dough until it gets nice and crispy. The inside stays tender and fluffy for a great texture combination.
I usually see them filled with cheese. Feel free to stuff them with scrambled eggs or beans instead.
They make a great alternative to pancakes.
5. Colombian Cheese Fritters
Colombian families start making these iconic fritters as soon as the Christmas season arrives. They have a chewy texture and plenty of cheese.
You will notice a hint of sweetness in every bite. I love that the recipe only requires a few pantry ingredients.
Serve them alongside a creamy cinnamon custard for the full experience. They are always a holiday hit.
6. Three-Milk Rice Pudding
Making a rich dessert does not have to be difficult. This pudding comes together in less than an hour with just some heating and stirring.
You use whole milk along with condensed and evaporated milks for maximum creaminess. Vanilla and cinnamon add wonderful flavor layers.
I like to break tradition and top mine with whipped cream and sprinkles to tempt the kids.
7. Colombian Aji
This spicy sauce comes from the Antioquia region. It is popularly paired with Colombian empanadas.
You can add this hot sauce to soups or rice dishes too. I find it versatile enough to use all year round.
A food processor makes the preparation super easy. Just pulse the ingredients and adjust the heat level to your preference.
8. Colombian Beans
This dish might change your mind if you usually dislike beans. The soup is delicious and warms up your tummy.
I suggest serving it over rice for a filling meal. Hogao infuses the broth with tons of flavor.
Carrots and plantains boost the nutritional value. You can use pinto beans or red beans for this recipe.
9. Colombian Pizza
This version of pizza belongs on my list of interesting foods. The toppings include items like corn and chorizo.
You will also find diced avocados and cilantro on top. Red pepper flakes add a nice kick.
I think chorizo and avocado make a perfect pair. It all sits on a delicious sauce with melted mozzarella.
10. Colombian Fried Fish
This recipe calls for a tropical fish known as mojarra. You can use red snapper or tilapia if you cannot find it.
The deep frying process packs the fish with flavor even with light seasoning.
I serve this with a side salad and coconut rice. It creates a nutritious and hearty meal.
11. Hogao
Hogao serves as a base seasoning for many local dishes. It is a salsa made from spices and various vegetables.
You sauté everything until it becomes soft and well combined. This condiment is incredibly fragrant and flavorful.
You only need about 20 minutes to make it. Mastering this salsa helps you cook great Colombian food.
12. Colombian Cassava Bread
You can make a gluten free snack that is both starchy and cheesy. These breads look similar to donuts.
The dough uses cassava starch and cheese instead of flour. Some people fill them with fruit paste for extra flavor.
I enjoy them traditionally with a hot cup of chocolate or coffee.
13. Chuleta Valluna (Colombian Pork Milanese)
This traditional dish originated in Valle del Cauca. It features crispy breaded pork full of aromatics and spices.
The meat inside stays juicy and tender without any bones.
You can serve it with a salad and french fries. It makes for a very fulfilling meal.
14. Columbian Style Stuffed Pork
The Tolima department takes pride in this special pork dish. You cook a whole pork in a brick oven for this recipe.
It gets stuffed with peas and rice along with Latin spices.
The most important part is getting the pork skin very crispy. I love that crunchy goodness in every bite.
15. Roasted Potatoes
This recipe is one of my favorites because I love potatoes. It uses papas criollas which are Andean potatoes.
They have a creamier and richer texture than white potatoes.
You mix them with pepper and olive oil before roasting. Toast them until they are tender and perfectly brown.
16. Colombian Empanadas
You should not miss Colombia’s version of this popular Latin snack. These empanadas are crunchy on the outside.
The filling combines beef and potatoes with classic spices.
I find them incredibly aromatic and flavorful. You can finish one in just a couple of bites.
17. Colombian Potato Salad
This nutritious salad makes a great alternative to mayo-based versions. The dressing uses a wine vinegar base for tangy flavor.
You toss red potatoes with carrots and onions. Tomatoes and cilantro go into the mix as well.
I suggest using plenty of cilantro for the best taste.
18. Bandeja Paisa
This high calorie meal hails from the Antioquia department. The name translates to “platter” in English.
You get a feast of dishes including hogao and powdered beef.
It features many different flavors that complement each other. Making it takes effort but the result is worth it.
19. Columbian Pico De Gallo
This recipe bursts with flavor despite needing only a few ingredients. You soak cilantro and onions in lime juice.
Tomatoes get added to the mix for freshness. It pairs perfectly with fried plantains or tortilla chips.
I love how refreshing and easy it is to make.
20. Columbian Coconut Rice
This side dish brings a toasted and sweet finish to your meal. You cook down coconut milk until it becomes a flavored oil.
This creates chewy masses that get added to the dry rice.
It pairs beautifully with seafood and chicken. You can add golden raisins or sugar if you want it sweeter.
21. Colombian Style Powdered Beef
Carne de polvo is a classic recipe from the Andean region. You boil flank steak and then process it into a powdered consistency.
It works best when served as part of a bandeja paisa platter.
I find it is a great way to give kids protein and vitamins. You can also eat it just as is.
22. Colombian Seafood Stew
This savory stew is packed with seafood goodness. It features white fish along with shrimp and mussels.
White wine and coconut milk balance out the savory seasonings. The result is a creamy and comforting dish.
You can substitute your favorite seafood ingredients if you prefer.
23. Colombian Griddled Corn Cakes
These fluffy cakes use a special corn flour called masarepa. You get a harmony of salty and sweet flavors from cheese and corn kernels.
I like to eat them for breakfast with a fried egg on top.
Chorizo makes a great side for this dish. You can also stuff them with mozzarella for extra cheesiness.
24. Aguapanela
You can make this refreshing summer beverage with just water and panela. Panela is a solid block of sugarcane that tastes similar to brown sugar.
You simply boil the panela in water and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
It is a very simple process. I serve it cold with lime juice to quench my thirst.
25. Colombian Chicharron
Pieces of pork belly are fried until they become golden and crispy. You do not actually need oil to cook this dish.
The fat from the pork rinds does the work along with some water.
It makes a popular breakfast side with hot chocolate. I love the crunchy texture it adds to a meal.