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    My Colombian Recipes » About Colombia » Top 12 Colombian Foods And Dishes You Must Try

    Top 12 Colombian Foods and Dishes You Must Try

    Jul 20, 2014 · Modified: Jul 19, 2021 by Erica Dinho · 14 Comments

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    Top 12 Colombian Foods and Dishes You Must TryPin

    El 20 de Julio (July 20th) is Colombian Independence Day and to celebrate this year, I decided to write this post. Since writing a series of must try Colombian dishes by category, I've received many e-mails from my readers asking for a basic "Top 10 Colombian Dishes" list. So grab a Refajo and play some Cumbia, because I've picked some of my favorite Colombian recipes just for you! 

    Typical Colombian dishes are as varied as the country' s geographic regions. However, there is a dish that can easily be considered a national treasure "La Bandeja Paisa" (Paisa Platter), a filling and comforting dish containing white rice, cranberry beans, fried egg, chicharrón, chorizo, beef, fried ripe plantains, avocado and arepa.

    It was very hard to make a Top 10 list, so I added a couple, and even that wasn't enough! Anyway, with just 12 traditional dishes, there many dishes in our cuisine that are just as popular, so if I missed a dish that you think belongs on the list, please let us know in the comment area. I would love to know your favorite Colombian dishes.

    Buen provecho and Happy Independence Day to my Colombian readers!

    Top 12 Colombian Foods and Dishes You Must TryPin

    1. Empanadas: These wonderful empanadas are one of the most popular Colombian snacks. The crust is made with corn masa while the filling is made with meat, potatoes and spices. It's traditional to serve these empanadas with ají (Colombian-style hot sauce). See the recipe here.

    Top 12 Colombian Foods and Dishes You Must TryPin

    2. Picada o Fritanga: There are different variations of this dish and every cook adds different ingredients to their platter, but some of the most popular ingredients in the Piacda Colombiana are fried green plantains (patacones), pork belly (chicharrón), small yellow potatoes (papa criolla), chorizo, pork ribs, yuca fries (yuca frita), morcilla and ripe plantains.See recipe here.

    10 Traditional Colombian Main Dishes You Must TryPin

    3. Bandeja Paisa: This is probably the most popular Colombian dish, originally from the Andean region of the country where the people are called “Paisas” and the area where I was born and raised.See recipe here.

    Ajiaco ColombianoPin

    4. Ajiaco: It's a hearty soup from the capital of the country, Bogotá, and is made with chicken, three varieties of potatoes, corn and guascas. Ajiaco is usually served with cream, capers, ají and avocado. It's comfort in a bowl!See recipe here.

    Recetas ColombianasPin

    5. Sancocho Trifásico: This is very thick soup made with root vegetables and different kinds of meats, in a broth, usually flavored with herbs, onions, garlic and peppers. The perfect Sunday meal!See recipe here.

    Colombian FoodPin

    6. Cazuela de Mariscos: This is a seafood stew from the Atantic Coast of Colombia made with a broth from with coconut milk, vegetables, spices and different kind of seafood. It's creamy, rich and very comforting.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian FoodPin

    7. Refajo: This is a popular and refreshing Colombian cocktail made with beer and “Colombiana", a popular Colombian soda. It 's the perfect summer drink.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian FoodPin

    8. Chocolate con Queso: Hot chocolate with cheese is a very popular drink and perfect for the cold weather. It's usually served for breakfast or an afternoon snack in the Andean region of Colombia. The combiantion of chocolate with cheese may sound weird to you, but it's absolutely amazing.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian RecipesPin

    9. Tajadas de Plátano: Ripe plantain fritters are one of the most popular side dishes in Colombia and very simple to make.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian DishesPin

    8. Patacones: Also known as tostones, patacones are a popular Colombian appetizer or side dish made green plantains.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian FoodPin

    9. Arroz con Coco Titoté: This coconut rice is a traditional recipe from the Caribbean region of Colombia. Arroz con coco is the perfect side dish for seafood.See recipe here.

    Colombian FoodPin

    10. Pandebono: These are small, baked, cheese bread rolls, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack with hot chocolate or coffee.See recipe here.

    Colombian FoodPin

    11. Casado o Bocadillo con Queso: This is a simple and easy to make Colombian dessert. The combination of salty cheese and sweet guava paste is one of those heavenly combinations that you simply must try.See recipe here.

    Top Colombian RecipesPin

    12. Torta Negra: There are many variations of this Colombian black cake throughout the country, every person and family having their own recipe, using different combinations of wine fruits and nuts in their cake.See recipe here.

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    About Erica Dinho

    My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. matthew winter

      July 21, 2014 at 10:00 am

      I am a home cook with a passion for latin foods especially Colombian,Cuban and Brazilian. My daughter is getting married next year,I have to come up with the menu,for a 100 people, please I need some suggestion on main dishes,deserts and appetizers.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        August 28, 2015 at 12:53 am

        dogs when deep fried

        Reply
        • SukMehToes

          August 26, 2019 at 10:59 am

          Babies deep fried

          Reply
      • jonathon

        April 10, 2016 at 1:24 pm

        you can use lasania

        Reply
      • Dog

        April 30, 2017 at 8:14 pm

        Guinea pig with fried ants

        Reply
      • vishwanath

        April 23, 2018 at 7:20 am

        will you try Indian Dishes ... little different you do

        Reply
      • Oscar

        October 01, 2020 at 11:40 am

        hi

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        December 16, 2020 at 2:37 pm

        Paella in multiple locations!

        Reply
      • Andres Choconta

        December 21, 2021 at 8:36 pm

        I hope the wedding was a success Matthew winter

        Reply
    2. Evelyne@cheapethniceatz

      July 22, 2014 at 3:50 pm

      Happy belated Colombian Independence Day! What a round up, I would not know where to start it all looks so good!

      Reply
    3. Adriana

      September 21, 2016 at 10:14 pm

      I am very fond of cooking and I always search to get recipes of different types o tasty foods.I am very glad to get the recipe of twelve types of foods. I wil definitely try some items definitely.

      Reply
    4. Angel Parris

      December 16, 2018 at 4:29 am

      I have been to Colombia many times and always enjoyed the cuisine and the coffee. But I fell in love with the most beautiful and sweet Colombian man from Cartagena. We share a lot of ideas on culture, traditions , history and the Colombian cuisine. Tomorrow it's my Cooking duty for my family. I honor him, Jaime for his sweetness, kindness and patience. He gave me ideas and I researched. Jaime te amo y esto lo hago para ud. Mi hombre bonito

      Reply
    5. Grace Jones

      September 14, 2022 at 7:36 am

      You have amazing recipes but you put fourteen not twelve.

      Reply
    6. Love learning bout ...

      September 14, 2022 at 7:39 am

      I am American but I have friends in Colombia I am trying to learn more about their culture

      Reply

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    Erica Dinho Author | My Colombian Recipes

    Hola and welcome to My Colombian Recipes. My name is Erica and I was born and raised in Colombia and now live in the northeastern United States with my husband and family. This blog was inspired by my grandmother, Mamita, who was an amazing traditional Colombian cook.

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