23 Vibrant Latin American Recipes to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Foodomania

15 September 2024 at 8:14 am·5-min read

Every year we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (from September 15th to October 15th), by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Spanish, Mexican, and Central and South American people who've immigrated to the US, bringing their rich culture with them. September 15th is significant because it's the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Latin America is home to so many culinary treasures—and delicious gifts—we've been the recipients. The population of Latin America also comprises a variety of ancestries, ethnic groups and races, making the region one of the most diverse in the world. With over 20 countries or territories, the recipes vary significantly from one country to the next, but are always packed with amazing flavors.

What is Latin American Food?

Latin American food is creative, bold, made with love and yes, sometimes spicy. It draws influences from Native American, Spanish, Asian and even African cuisines. These cuisines widely use spices like allspice, cumin, achiote etc. The chili peppers vary from region to region, and you'd want to adjust the amounts based on your spice tolerance. These cuisines also use fresh herbs like cilantro, thyme and oregano. The main components of recipes include rice, bread, beans, meat and more. And while most Hispanic recipes use meat as an ingredient, they're easily adaptable and can be made vegetarian by swapping meat for beans.

Best Hispanic Heritage Month Recipes

The 23 best Hispanic Heritage Month recipes we've curated in this list are from various regions of Latin America, and just offer a look into the world of amazing food and experiences. Try Dominican-style Mangú Mashed Plantains, Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce), Argentinian Medialunas, Black Bean Tapas, Vegan Tortas with BBW Seitan Ribs and so much more!

<p>Parade</p><p>This spicy black bean and pepper soup is flavorful, easy to make and tasty proof that comfort food can be good for you.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="/30519/doriegreenspan/spicy-black-bean-and-pepper-soup/" data-ylk="slk:Spicy Black Bean and Pepper Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spicy Black Bean and Pepper Soup</a></strong></p> — Parade
This spicy black bean and pepper soup is flavorful, easy to make and tasty proof that comfort food can be good for you.
**Get the recipe here: Spicy Black Bean and Pepper Soup**

<p>Parade</p><p>What’s a better way to celebrate fall and <a href="/1263317/alexandra-hurtado/what-is-hispanic-heritage-month/" data-ylk="slk:Hispanic Heritage Month;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Hispanic Heritage Month</a>, then with a delicious Pumpkin Spiced Horchata? </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="/1267545/kavitharamaswamy/tiktok-pumpkin-sp-iced-tea-horchata/" data-ylk="slk:Pumpkin Sp-Iced Tea Horchata;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pumpkin Sp-Iced Tea Horchata</a></strong></p> — Parade
What’s a better way to celebrate fall and Hispanic Heritage Month, then with a delicious Pumpkin Spiced Horchata?
**Get the recipe here: Pumpkin Sp-Iced Tea Horchata**

<p>Parade</p><p>Easy and healthy lentil soup with added greens</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="/842110/benrayl/make-a-hearty-healthy-dinner-with-this-super-easy-lentil-soup/" data-ylk="slk:Easy Lentil Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Lentil Soup</a></strong></p> — Parade
Easy and healthy lentil soup with added greens
**Get the recipe here: Easy Lentil Soup**

<p>Half Baked Harvest</p><p>Homemade Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is topped off with coffee and a splash of dark rum (or Kahlúa).</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/dirty-horchata/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dirty Horchata;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Dirty Horchata</a></strong></p> — Half Baked Harvest
Homemade Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is topped off with coffee and a splash of dark rum (or Kahlúa).
**Get the recipe here: Dirty Horchata**

<p>Cookie and Kate</p><p>Aji verde is a bold and bright Peruvian green sauce. It’s spicy and tangy, and packed with fresh flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://cookieandkate.com/aji-verde-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)</a></strong></p> — Cookie and Kate
Aji verde is a bold and bright Peruvian green sauce. It’s spicy and tangy, and packed with fresh flavor.
**Get the recipe here: Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)**

<p>Foodomania</p><p>Thick and creamy protein-rich soup.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://foodomania.com/mexican-red-lentil-soup/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegetarian Red Lentil Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegetarian Red Lentil Soup</a></strong></p> — Foodomania
Thick and creamy protein-rich soup.
**Get the recipe here: Vegetarian Red Lentil Soup**

<p>Foodomania</p><p>Green rice with veggies. Enough said. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://foodomania.com/arroz-verde-mexican-green-rice/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Arroz Verde;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Arroz Verde </a></strong></p> — Foodomania
Green rice with veggies. Enough said.
**Get the recipe here: Arroz Verde**

<p>Chilean Food and Garden</p><p>Melt in your mouth cornstarch cookies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.chileanfoodandgarden.com/peruvian-cornstarch-alfajores/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Peruvian Cornstarch Alfajores;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Peruvian Cornstarch Alfajores</a></strong></p> — Chilean Food and Garden
Melt in your mouth cornstarch cookies.
**Get the recipe here: Peruvian Cornstarch Alfajores**

<p>Chilean Food and Garden</p><p>A traditional recipe for Argentinian Medialunas or sweet croissants.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.chileanfoodandgarden.com/argentinian-medialunas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Argentinian Medialunas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Argentinian Medialunas</a></strong></p> — Chilean Food and Garden
A traditional recipe for Argentinian Medialunas or sweet croissants.
**Get the recipe here: Argentinian Medialunas**

<p>Mexican Made Meatless</p><p>Ceviche (or cebiche) is believed to have originated in the country of Peru, but it’s a common dish throughout many Latin American countries. This is a no-fish, vegetarian recipe</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://mexicanmademeatless.com/cauliflower-ceviche-best-vegan-ceviche-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cauliflower Ceviche;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cauliflower Ceviche</a></strong></p> — Mexican Made Meatless
Ceviche (or cebiche) is believed to have originated in the country of Peru, but it’s a common dish throughout many Latin American countries. This is a no-fish, vegetarian recipe
**Get the recipe here: Cauliflower Ceviche**

<p>Muy Bueno Cookbook</p><p>A hearty combination of homemade refried beans, savory ham, and fried eggs topped with salsa and cheese are cooked together in a casserole for the perfect baked breakfast.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://muybuenocookbook.com/baked-egg-casserole/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cazuela de Huevos Rancheros;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cazuela de Huevos Rancheros</a></strong></p> — Muy Bueno Cookbook
A hearty combination of homemade refried beans, savory ham, and fried eggs topped with salsa and cheese are cooked together in a casserole for the perfect baked breakfast.
**Get the recipe here: Cazuela de Huevos Rancheros**

<p>One Happy Housewife</p><p>Honduran Red Beans and Rice or Casamiento is a delicious Honduran dish served in most homes in Honduras. It's a flavorful food that can be enjoyed as a side dish or main meal. It's a perfect way to use red beans after making a pot of them. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.onehappyhousewife.com/honduran-red-beans-and-rice-casamiento/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Honduran Red Beans and Rice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honduran Red Beans and Rice</a></strong></p> — One Happy Housewife
Honduran Red Beans and Rice or Casamiento is a delicious Honduran dish served in most homes in Honduras. It's a flavorful food that can be enjoyed as a side dish or main meal. It's a perfect way to use red beans after making a pot of them.
**Get the recipe here: Honduran Red Beans and Rice**

<p>Peru Delights</p><p>Pureeing<strong> legumes</strong> this way, and adding <strong>cheese</strong> to them, letting it completely melt and dissolve into the <strong>purée</strong>, is a great way to get <strong>kids</strong> to eat this <strong>healthy food</strong>.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://perudelights.com/pure-de-pallares-silky-lima-beans-puree/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Puré de Pallares – Silky Lima Beans Purée;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Puré de Pallares – Silky Lima Beans Purée</a></strong></p> — Peru Delights
Pureeing legumes this way, and adding **cheese** to them, letting it completely melt and dissolve into the **purée**, is a great way to get **kids** to eat this **healthy food**.
**Get the recipe here: Puré de Pallares – Silky Lima Beans Purée**

<p>Pinch of Yum</p><p>This is homemade Chipotle sofritas at its finest.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/spicy-sofritas-veggie-bowls" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Spicy Sofritas Tofu;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spicy Sofritas Tofu</a></strong></p> — Pinch of Yum
This is homemade Chipotle sofritas at its finest.
**Get the recipe here: Spicy Sofritas Tofu**

<p>Simple Veganista</p><p>Black Bean Tortas with avocado, cabbage, red bell pepper and delicious creamy sriracha sauce is healthy, quick and easy! </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://simple-veganista.com/avocado-and-black-bean-tortas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Avocado and Black Bean Tortas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Avocado and Black Bean Tortas</a></strong></p> — Simple Veganista
Black Bean Tortas with avocado, cabbage, red bell pepper and delicious creamy sriracha sauce is healthy, quick and easy!
**Get the recipe here: Avocado and Black Bean Tortas**

<p>The Noshery</p><p>A classic plantain recipe filled with a bunch of spices and fillings.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://thenoshery.com/canoas-de-platanos-maduros-sweet-plantain-canoes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sweet Plantain Canoes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sweet Plantain Canoes</a></strong></p> — The Noshery
A classic plantain recipe filled with a bunch of spices and fillings.
**Get the recipe here: Sweet Plantain Canoes**

<p>Foodomania</p><p>Vegetarian Bean Chili is just the kind of healthy, comfort-food that you can imagine yourself having every night! Made with legumes, corn, and a whole bunch of seasonal vegetables, this one-pot dish is a crowd-pleaser!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://foodomania.com/vegetarian-bean-chili-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegetarian Bean Chili;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegetarian Bean Chili</a></strong></p> — Foodomania
Vegetarian Bean Chili is just the kind of healthy, comfort-food that you can imagine yourself having every night! Made with legumes, corn, and a whole bunch of seasonal vegetables, this one-pot dish is a crowd-pleaser!
**Get the recipe here: Vegetarian Bean Chili**

<p>Chilean Food and Garden</p><p>The “Chancho en Piedra” is a classic Chilean salsa recipe, always prepared in a mortar or molcajete to achieve the right texture.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.chileanfoodandgarden.com/chancho-en-piedra-chilean-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chancho en Piedra;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chancho en Piedra</a></strong></p> — Chilean Food and Garden
The “Chancho en Piedra” is a classic Chilean salsa recipe, always prepared in a mortar or molcajete to achieve the right texture.
**Get the recipe here: Chancho en Piedra**

<p>Vegan Huggs</p><p>Vegan Ajiaco is a satisfying, one-pot meal that is made with 3 types of potatoes and served with sliced avocado, capers, and tangy cream. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://veganhuggs.com/vegan-ajiaco-colombian-soup/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Ajiaco Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Ajiaco Soup</a></strong></p> — Vegan Huggs
Vegan Ajiaco is a satisfying, one-pot meal that is made with 3 types of potatoes and served with sliced avocado, capers, and tangy cream.
**Get the recipe here: Vegan Ajiaco Soup**

<p>cocinadefillo.kitchen</p><p>Toast with garbanzos, shaved shallots and radishes, and some micro greens or herbs</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://cocinadefillo.kitchen/blogs/fillos-blog/tapas-time" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Black Bean Tapas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Black Bean Tapas</a></strong></p> — cocinadefillo.kitchen
Toast with garbanzos, shaved shallots and radishes, and some micro greens or herbs
**Get the recipe here: Black Bean Tapas**

<p>Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas</p><p>This is the perfect cross between a taco and sandwich and it’s basically the best thing ever.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://yumveganlunchideas.com/vegan-tortas-with-bbq-seitan-ribs/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegan Tortas with BBW Seitan Ribs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegan Tortas with BBW Seitan Ribs</a></strong></p> — Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas
This is the perfect cross between a taco and sandwich and it’s basically the best thing ever.
**Get the recipe here: Vegan Tortas with BBW Seitan Ribs**

<p>Minimalist Baker</p><p>“Chilaquiles” is an ancient Aztec word meaning “chilis and greens”. And it is believed that the dish dates back to Central Mexico and early Aztec times. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://minimalistbaker.com/chipotle-tofu-chilaquiles/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chipotle Tofu Chilaquiles;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chipotle Tofu Chilaquiles</a></strong></p> — Minimalist Baker
“Chilaquiles” is an ancient Aztec word meaning “chilis and greens”. And it is believed that the dish dates back to Central Mexico and early Aztec times.
**Get the recipe here: Chipotle Tofu Chilaquiles**

<p>Half Baked Harvest</p><p>Instead of the traditional three milks (heavy cream, evaporated, and sweetened condensed milk), this recipe calls for cinnamon, rice milk, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk for a Horchata-style tres leches cake that’s delicious.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe here: <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/dirty-horchata-tres-leches-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dirty Horchata Tres Leches Cake;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Dirty Horchata Tres Leches Cake</a></strong></p> — Half Baked Harvest
Instead of the traditional three milks (heavy cream, evaporated, and sweetened condensed milk), this recipe calls for cinnamon, rice milk, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk for a Horchata-style tres leches cake that’s delicious.
**Get the recipe here: Dirty Horchata Tres Leches Cake**

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What is Latin American Food?

Best Hispanic Heritage Month Recipes

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