Sunny and warm days are just around the corner. So why not explore new Hispanic recipes to make in summer, full of flavor and tradition?

During this season, these dishes provide energy and nutrition. They are also perfect for sharing with family and friends. Discover the recipes that will elevate your summer gatherings and dinners.

Why Hispanic Recipes to Make in Summer Are the Best

These recipes offer a way to connect with the culinary roots of different Latin American countries, strengthening a sense of identity and belonging.

Preparing them helps keep these traditions alive. They also inspire family gatherings during the summer, a season when celebrations and shared meals are especially common.

1. Pabellón Criollo (Venezuela)

Considered Venezuela’s national dish, pabellón criollo brings together some of the country’s most representative flavors. Its combination of colors and textures resembles a flag. Ingredients include:

• Shredded beef
• Black beans
• White rice
• Ripe plantain
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bell pepper
• Cumin
• Salt
• Oil

Preparation is simple: cook the beef until tender, shred it, and sauté it with seasonings. Separately, prepare the beans, rice, and fried plantains, then serve everything together.

In Venezuela, this dish represents family identity and is commonly enjoyed at home and during celebrations. It also reflects the tradition of making the most of everyday ingredients.

2. Fish Ceviche (Peru)

In Peru, ceviche is a symbol of the coast, the sea, and culinary tradition. More importantly, it reflects the country’s close relationship with the ocean. To prepare it, you need:

• Fresh white fish
• Lime juice
• Red onion
• Chili pepper
• Cilantro
• Salt
• Sweet potato
• Corn

To prepare it, cut the fish into cubes and mix it with salt, chili, onion, and cilantro. Let it marinate in lime juice for a few minutes. Then serve immediately with sweet potato and corn.

3. Roasted Turkey with Achiote Sauce (Guatemala)

This dish represents abundance and family gatherings at the Guatemalan table. It is also a complete and balanced meal. Ingredients include:

• Turkey
• Achiote
• Onion
• Garlic
• Tomato sauce
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Potatoes
• Carrots

To prepare it, sauté the onion and garlic, then add the turkey and season it with achiote, tomato sauce, and spices.

Next, add the vegetables and cook slowly until everything becomes tender. Did you know that achiote is closely associated with Mesoamerican cuisine? That is one reason why it is so valued.

4. Chicken Sancocho (Colombia)

Because it showcases Colombia’s agricultural richness, this is one of the most iconic and comforting Hispanic recipes to make in summer. Ingredients include:

• Hen or chicken
• Water
• Green plantain
• Cassava
• Potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cilantro
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation consists of cooking the chicken in seasoned water. Once tender, add the vegetables and root crops cut into pieces. Simmer until you achieve a rich and flavorful broth.

Generally, it is a perfect dish for family lunches and special gatherings. In Colombia, sancocho symbolizes hospitality, community, and shared meals.

5. Avocado and Seafood Salad (Mexico)

If you are looking for a simple summer dish, this salad is an excellent option. It combines fresh ingredients such as:

• Ripe avocado
• Cooked shrimp
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Lime juice
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cilantro

Best of all, it is ready in minutes. Simply mix the seafood with the diced vegetables. Add the avocado at the end, then season everything with lime juice, olive oil, and salt.

This salad is usually served cold, making it ideal for warm days. Its appeal comes from the balance between creamy avocado and firm seafood.

6. Mondongo (Colombia/Venezuela)

Mondongo represents patience and abundance. It demonstrates how traditional cuisine transforms humble ingredients into a hearty meal. Ingredients include:

• Beef tripe
• Onion
• Garlic
• Tomato
• Potatoes
• Cassava
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cilantro
• Cumin
• Salt
• Pepper
• Depending on the version, pork or chorizo

Preparation begins by thoroughly cleaning and cooking the tripe for several hours. Separately, sauté onion, garlic, and tomato. Then add the vegetables, corn, and meats, finishing with cilantro.

In Colombia, it is often served with rice, avocado, and plantains. In Venezuela, it is also considered a comforting family meal associated with Sundays and gatherings.

7. Sweet Corn Tamales (Mexico/Central America)

Their defining characteristic is a soft, slightly sweet, and moist texture with the aroma of fresh corn, the historical foundation of Mesoamerican cuisine. Ingredients include:

• Fresh corn kernels
• Butter
• Masa harina or corn flour
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Milk or water
• Optional: cheese or chili peppers
• Corn husks

Instructions: Blend or grind the corn and mix it with butter and dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms. Then place the mixture into corn husks and steam until firm.

In Mexico and Central America, tamales are commonly enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, and family meals. Although simple, they are deeply connected to the culinary heritage of corn.

8. Vegetable and Chicken Cazuela (Chile)

This is one of the most beloved Hispanic recipes to make in summer because it is a hearty, spoon-friendly dish. It is prepared with:

• Chicken
• Potatoes
• Squash
• Carrots
• Corn
• Onion
• Garlic
• Optional: rice
• Green beans
• Cilantro
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin

To prepare it, brown the chicken and sauté the base vegetables. Then add water, potatoes, squash, corn, and the remaining vegetables, allowing everything to cook together in a flavorful broth.

9. Patacones with Shredded Beef (Venezuela/Dominican Republic)

When it comes to practical, hearty, and representative Caribbean dishes, patacones stand out. This recipe transforms green plantains into a crispy and versatile base. You will need:

• Green plantains
• Shredded beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Tomato or tomato sauce
• Oil
• Salt
• Depending on the version, cheese, mayonnaise, or sauces

To make perfect patacones, fry the plantains, flatten them, and fry them again. Then prepare the beef with a sautéed seasoning mixture and place it on top before serving.

In Venezuela, patacones are closely associated with street food and generous portions. In the Dominican Republic, they fit naturally into the tradition of fried and flavorful dishes.

10. Meat Empanadas (Argentina/Colombia)

Empanadas are a symbol of everyday cooking and shared meals. In Argentina, they are known for their decorative folded edges, while in Colombia they are a popular street food. They are made with:

• Flour dough
• Lard, butter, or oil
• Water
• Salt
• Beef filling with onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and tomato
• Depending on the style, eggs, olives, or potatoes

Instructions: Prepare a cooked filling and allow it to cool. Divide the dough into discs, fill the empanadas, seal them, and bake or fry until golden brown.

11. Locro de Zapallo (Argentina)

In Argentina, this dish symbolizes gathering and celebration. It is known for its slow cooking process and thick texture, achieved by combining traditional ingredients in one pot, including:

• Squash
• White corn
• Beans
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Chorizo
• Bacon
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin
• Depending on the version, broth or milk

To prepare it, soak the grains and cook them with the meats and sautéed vegetables. Later, add the squash so it dissolves and thickens the stew, creating a colorful and satisfying dish.

12. Dominican Mondongo Soup

Valued for its rich flavor, family tradition, and generous portions, Dominican mondongo shows how economical cuts can be transformed into something remarkable. Ingredients include:

• Beef tripe
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bell pepper
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Cassava
• Tomato or tomato sauce
• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon

Preparation: Clean and soften the tripe, make a sautéed vegetable base, and combine it with the vegetables. Cook until the soup becomes thick and well seasoned.

13. Arroz con Pollo (Panama/Colombia)

This is one of the most beloved Hispanic recipes to make in summer throughout Latin America. One reason is that everything is prepared in a single pot. Ingredients include:

• Chicken
• Rice
• Garlic
• Bell pepper
• Culantro or cilantro
• Tomato paste
• Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Depending on the version, olives, carrots, or peas

To prepare it, cook the chicken with seasonings and reserve the broth. Then sauté the vegetables and rice, combine everything, and cook over low heat until the liquid is absorbed.

14. Bean and Cheese Pupusas (El Salvador)

In El Salvador, pupusas are a popular street food and a family favorite. They feature a creamy filling and a golden exterior. Ingredients include:

• Corn flour
• Warm water
• Salt
• Refried beans
• Mozzarella cheese or quesillo
• Optional: curtido or salsa for serving

Instructions: Prepare a soft dough and fill it with beans and cheese. Shape it into a disc and cook it on a griddle or skillet until golden on both sides.

15. Corn Arepa with Cheese (Venezuela)

It is impossible to think of Venezuela without remembering the arepa. That is why it remains one of the most iconic Hispanic recipes to make in summer. Ingredients include:

• Pre-cooked cornmeal
• Water
• Salt
• Grated cheese
• Depending on the version, butter or a little oil

Preparation is very easy: mix the cornmeal with water and salt to form a dough. Add grated or diced cheese, shape into discs, and cook on a griddle or skillet until golden and cooked through.