13 Top Venezuelan Recipes To Invigorate Up Your Dinner

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There are some cuisines out there that are totally underrated. Venezuela is one of them.

Venezuelan cuisine is totally unique, utterly delicious, and packed with lots of different new and exciting dishes that you really should give a try.

13 Top Venezuelan Recipes to Invigorate Up Your Dinner

If you are interested in trying your hand at making Venezuelan food but don’t know where to begin, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’re taking a look at 13 of the top Venezuelan recipes that you should try to really invigorate your dinner.

So, if you want to find out more about some of the best Venezuelan dishes to try, keep on reading!

1. Arepas

The first Venezuelan recipe that we would recommend giving a try is Arepas. Arepas are popular in multiple South American countries, but Venezuelan Arepas are by far the best.

Arepas are made using ground maize dough that is sandwiched with a filling that typically consists of meat.

If you want to make Arepas for the first time, this is a great recipe to try. But once you get used to creating this dish, you can switch it up with unique fillings of your own. We’re sure you’ll love this dish!

2. Pabellon Criollo

If you are looking for a recipe that is packed with different textures and tastes, you need to try out Pabellon Criollo. This recipe is super unique and a truly traditional Venezuelan dish.

This dish tends to consist of a plate of rice served alongside stewed black beans and shredded beef.

Each different ingredient is served separately from one another, but as you eat you can mix them together to combine the taste. We love this recipe and we think you will too!

3. Tequenos

If you are a big lover of cheese, then you need to check out Tequenos. Tequenos are essentially Venezuelan cheese sticks, and they taste absolutely incredible.

If you love American cheese sticks, then you’ll adore Tequenos as they really are next level.

These cheese sticks are created by wrapping strips of cheese in bread dough. The dough-wrapped cheese is then deep-fried to give it a unique finish.

If you want a Venezuelan dish that you can snack on, we would recommend this recipe!

4. Pasticho

Alternatively, if you like lasagne, then you’ll be a big fan of Pasticho. Pasticho is essentially a Venezuelan version of lasagne, and it tastes very similar to the original Italian dish. Of course, to make it different it has a Venezuelan spin.

If you are searching for a Venezuelan dish that you can serve at the center of your meal, this is the perfect recipe to follow. We’re confident you’ll adore this recipe so you need to check it out!

5. Tostones

If you are thinking of serving a variety of different Venezuelan dishes tapas style, then Tostones are one dish that you definitely need to cook.

They make a great snack and can become part of a delicious meal when served with other dishes.

Tostones are made using plantain. The plantain is thinly sliced and fried twice to create a delicious and unique flavor. They are an iconic Venezuelan dish and one that we’re pretty sure you’ll fall in love with!

6. Polvorosa De Pollo

Are you a big fan of chicken pot pie? Let’s face it, pretty much everyone is. Chicken pot pie is one of the best comfort foods that exist.

So, if you are searching for Venezuelan comfort food, you need to check out Polvorosa de Pollo which is essentially Venezuelan chicken pot pie.

Polvorosa de Pollo is a complex dish as it essentially combines ingredients to mimic the flavor of chicken stew, and then puts these flavors into a delicious pie.

This is honestly one of the best Venezuelan recipes that exist, so you should definitely check it out!

7. Empanadas

Empanadas are a very popular dish in South America, and you can get these delicious snacks in Venezuela too. They are essentially a South American pastry that is stuffed with a number of different fillings.

Depending on what style of empanadas you make, you will use a variety of different fillings.

Most empanadas will have beef as one of the fillings, but the beef might be combined with another meat (such as chorizo) or a different ingredient entirely (for example, cheese) to switch up the flavor.

These really are incredible so you have to give them a taste!

8. Sancocho

If you are a big fan of a hearty bowl of stew, then you should check out Sancocho. This classic Venezuelan dish is a take on a classic beef stew.

This stew is great as it contains ingredients that wouldn’t traditionally be in a stew, and that is what makes it so special.

With a ton of different vegetables included to add flavor to the stew, such as sweet potato, butternut squash, and new potatoes, there is so much to like about this recipe. So if you want a Venezuelan beef stew, check out Sancocho.

9. Cachitos

Another brilliant recipe to check out is Cachitos. Cachitos are super similar to the tequenos that we looked at earlier. The key difference between the two is one contains cheese and the other contains ham.

Cachitos are essentially ham crescents which means they consist of ham wrapped in dough and then cooked.

They work great as a starter, a snack, or even a main meal when served alongside other side dishes. So, you should definitely try your hand at making cachitos.

10. Hallacas

If you have ever visited Venezuela during a public holiday, then you might have heard of Hallacas.

Hallacas is a Venezuelan holiday dish that looks similar to a tamal. It is generally made using shredded chicken and beef stew. The filling is wrapped with banana leaves and tied to keep it together.

Hallacas is the perfect dish to prepare and serve if you are looking for a showstopper. This dish is really interesting to prepare and totally delicious to eat. We’re confident you’ll enjoy this recipe once you give it a try!

11. Cachapas

Alternatively, you should consider making cachapas. Cachapas are essentially corn pancakes that are very popular in Venezuela.

So, if you want to introduce yourself to traditional Venezuelan cuisine, you should check out Cachapas.

Cachapas come stuffed with a variety of different ingredients. There are lots of different options when preparing your cachapas, and it is totally up to you if you choose a sweet flavoring (sugar) or a savory flavoring (cheese).

Both taste absolutely incredible and are guaranteed to be a hit with whomever you serve these cachapas to. We really think you should give this recipe a try!

12. Pisca Andina

If you are really interested in a delicious soup, then you should check out Pisca Andina. Pisca Andina is a classic Venezuelan soup that is flavored with milk and potato.

If you want a soup that is incredibly easy to prepare, then this recipe is pretty much made for you.

Pisca Andina is very different from a lot of other soups and that is mainly because it can be thrown together in no time.

It isn’t the most appetizing-looking soup, but the flavor is totally incredible, and it is guaranteed to be a hit. If you are a big fan of soup, you’ll love this recipe!

13. Pan De Jamon

Finally, we couldn’t make this guide without including Pan de Jamon. As the name suggests, Pan de Jamon is a recipe that uses ham, and it is essentially a type of ham bread.

Pan de Jamon is commonly served in Venezuela during the holiday season, specifically around Christmas.

It is stuffed with ham and olives and is filled with flavor. If you like these two ingredients, you’ll adore Pan de Jamon.

Summary

In short, there are tons of different amazing Venezuelan recipes that we would recommend trying!

From empanadas to arepas and even pan de jamon, there is so much that you really need to try to get a true feel for this cuisine.

If you have been searching for the perfect dishes to try making yourself, we would recommend checking out one of the recipes listed in this guide. They are all super easy to make and utterly delicious.

We hope this information has been helpful – thank you for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Venezuela Most Known For?

As a country, Venezuela is most well-known for its incredible natural beauty. However, the food that comes from this country is a close second.

Venezuela is responsible for creating lots of different delicious dishes that we’re confident you’ll love. We’ve included some of the best recipes to try in this guide.

What Is Venezuela’s Main Food?

As you look at some of the most popular dishes in Venezuela, you’ll begin to notice common ingredients between the dishes.

Some of the main foods in this country include corn, rice, plantain, yams, beans, potatoes, and a variety of meats. That is why these ingredients tend to feature in a lot of different recipes.