Central American Cuisine Guides
Curious about the cuisines of Central America? Read our guides and essays to deepen your knowledge of Central American food history, cooking techniques, ingredients, and more.
![Garifuna dish of hudutu](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/0PEAy6T2qxtNnwZ8drH_i8ffQEo=/390x260/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2020__06__20200610-garifuna-cuisine-hudutu-dish-wes-milton-guity-2f971774d5f640e79470a575c408550b.jpg)
The Garifuna Diaspora Celebrates 223 Years of its Cuisine
![](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/RmPKWqid_YNxZNEHRm00CvgQH-s=/174x116/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__drinks.seriouseats.com__images__20120416tequilaprim-1e4012ae169f44759c5706c7954089e1.jpg)
The Serious Eats Guide to Tequila
![20200905-mango-alguashte-karla-vasquez](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/q9lWa56VGkKU6ZDc0YB4Vmw6L54=/174x116/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2020__09__20200905-mango-alguashte-karla-vasquez-6aefd40ab6544aa68202230f2bdab0cd.jpg)
Mango Verde Con Alguashte (Salvadoran Green Mango With Pepita Seasoning)
![Overhead view of quick curtido in a white bowl.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/AmNSQMJNUL07E2hRmANoACoHqbw=/174x116/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2014__05__20140512-quick-curtido-primary-6654bcc0546a4fc093ddedc0c0ca862d.jpg)
Quick Curtido (Salvadoran Cabbage Slaw) Recipe
![Two cheese and bean pupusas topped with cabbage slaw](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/EMZgOeDTiXODb_ndBBMeq_KpCsw=/174x116/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2014__06__20140616-pupusa-lauren-rothman-3-c241bc3f4a6f4b0e8569da1b60495cfd.jpg)
Cheese and Bean Pupusas (Salvadoran Stuffed, Griddled Tortillas) With Cabbage Slaw
![20200905-mango-alguashte-karla-vasquez-2](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/QUazFI6G47qBX1Zed1Z5UR9bpPw=/174x116/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2020__09__20200905-mango-alguashte-karla-vasquez-2-5e553bb55cac404d955ecfd115791930.jpg)
Alguashte (Salvadoran Pumpkin Seed Seasoning) Recipe
Explore Central American Cuisines
![hearts of palm salsa with blue corn chips on a plate](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Ke5UjF9TwnAphhY09oODFC_7Pm8=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20210712-hearts-of-palm-salsa-vicky-wasik-seriouseats-2-b8398fa8794647028254a60e5be4810a.jpg)
Hearts of Palm Salsa
Gallopinto (Nicaraguan Rice and Beans)
Salpicón (Nicaraguan Minced Meat) Recipe
![a plate of copycat Pollo Campero fried chicken](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/PVrW-S-87Zjxr0EYRc2gZpFFaH8=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2021__01__20210105-Pollo-Campero-Style-Fried-Chicken-karla-vasquez-1-5f2d8b49493845d5bd40e5985c7de855.jpg)
Homemade Pollo Campero (Central American–Style Fried Chicken) Recipe
![20160329-alfajores-cookies-vicky-wasik-12.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/WToZyyBEWLmcVB3z7VmPmyshlto=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2016__04__20160329-alfajores-cookies-vicky-wasik-12-f4a6ba68bfdc49f1b8b3015ff2e237c7.jpg)
Alfajores Con Cajeta (Vanilla Shortbread With Goat's-Milk Toffee) Recipe
![20120614-127677-arroz-aguado-610.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/19T5-Fp6g2BtyyfSaXPIIT_GVFs=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2012__06__20120614-127677-arroz-aguado-610-e82e8be559cc4d259d3a780be5184118.jpg)
Arroz Aguado (Nicaraguan Chicken and Rice Stew) Recipe
![Fried Yuca with Spicy Mayo](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/vMug_QH2V_F2AUYZr6gGcyKnFOQ=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2012__09__20120926-fried-yuca-5-4d454987600f4e518c552a750b9fc5a4.jpg)
Latin American Cuisine: How To Make Fried Yuca
![20110722-127677-Dulces-Torta-Elotes-PRIMARY.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/vjEvzyVQ7FNY318VH6oXlOf7tI0=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2011__07__20110722-127677-Dulces-Torta-Elotes-PRIMARY-a35cacabdbc94094ac1a89eead8b599d.jpg)
Torta de Elotes (Corn Torte) Recipe
![20111209-127677-Dulces-Pio-V-PRIMARY.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/Ir6sI3NaPstlbRpHIzwR3eod-70=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2011__12__20111209-127677-Dulces-Pio-V-PRIMARY-21a3d3dd7d1b4941aac80489a2db0a38.jpg)
Pío V (Nicaraguan Christmas Cake) Recipe
![20120920-127677-LatAmCuisine-Refried-Beans-PRIMARY.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/jpICA4Mp8mgOQQIs_GxT9E8re5M=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2012__09__20120920-127677-LatAmCuisine-Refried-Beans-PRIMARY-510b6a6d7c3b4045a36dff389af992e4.jpg)
Frijoles Molidos (Refried Beans) Recipe
![20141007-corn-empanadas-kenji.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/cDLhia-p8z9YLIJgCPOWEQF_Dag=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2014__10__20141007-corn-empanadas-kenji-f907b54fe1214acaa24e487654eb2567.jpg)
Meet the Empanadas of Latin America
![20110930-127677-Dulces-Coco.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/yzdwWzDOWgJha6AJxfqPf54XRT4=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2011__09__20110930-127677-Dulces-Coco-16f210d3e34845b4b3030c334bd891f7.jpg)
Tres Leches de Coco (Coconut Tres Leches Cake) Recipe
![20110624AtolilloLG.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/D7MDCECbzQOd61RlVlEdP7wimS0=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__20110624AtolilloLG-761c78f69a854f0f94df54233cce52ea.jpg)
Atolillo (Simple Custard) Recipe
Sopa de Albóndigas de Pollo (Nicaraguan Chicken Meatball Soup)
Nicaraguan Arroz con Pollo Recipe
![Fried plantains on a plate](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/T9-C9tbBg8A1JEjUL8QLF14GJf4=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2021__01__20210105-fried-plantains-tim-chin-12-174f7b5f473548f6a828d7de588b0942.jpg)
Fried Plantain Chips Recipe
![Closeup of Buñuelos de Yuca y Queso (Yuca and Cheese Fritters), fresh from the fryer.](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/BCwQ3JQGGXoG9ktihVn9_fZHDPs=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2011__07__20110715-127677-Dulces-BunuelosYuca-PRIMARY-e14f14c75b9f4b279941db63ff9b1490.jpg)
Buñuelos de Yuca y Queso (Yuca and Cheese Fritters)
![20210105-Platano-Chips-Pollo-Campero-style-karla-vasquez-2](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/maKq_WGQ2krI1WnvQWLNMA7MENI=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2021__01__20210105-Platano-Chips-Pollo-Campero-style-karla-vasquez-2-8b92883c305748e7a7b5cf67aa5a2a34.jpg)
Pollo Campero–Seasoned Fried Plantain Chips Recipe
![20110916-127677-Dulces-Figs-PRIMARY.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/slClewRBimjXG6vPPEYAaA2FNBw=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2011__09__20110916-127677-Dulces-Figs-PRIMARY-44e4f44fae7e45c3906ec406952a5119.jpg)
Higos en Miel (Poached Figs) Recipe
![](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/k_MeUgfeyzxw6EXm71lXroX7ZhQ=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2012__09__20120926-fried-yuca-5-016d6b846b34450fa056f9617aa2beea.jpg)
Fried Yuca with Spicy Mayo Recipe
![20120606-127677-Chicharron-PRIMARY-Photo-by-Kristin-Teig.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/fsVetHZ5c3vomwRcUYletRREK4c=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__images__2012__06__20120606-127677-Chicharron-PRIMARY-Photo-by-Kristin-Teig-eb17eb0eec984ab6be5958259258acc1.jpg)
Latin American Cuisine: Vigorón or Chicharrón con Yuca (Yuca and Pork Rinds)
![20110216-127677-Serious-Sweets-GuavaCheese-PRIMARY.jpg](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/hNQ1ZhWEZW0KsMS5DPrdMHQngWw=/220x165/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__sweets.seriouseats.com__images__20110216-127677-Serious-Sweets-GuavaCheese-PRIMARY-0acd8aa46a1a40908e58f1967926a05e.jpg)
Dulces: Guava and Cream Cheese Pastelitos