Name: What To Serve With Cuban Pork
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 portion Cuban pork

Table of Contents

If you’re wondering what to serve with your Cuban pork, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 13 of the most popular side dishes for Cuban pork.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with Cuban pork are Cuban black beans, cilantro lime rice, maduro (plantains), and creamy coleslaw. For more vegetable options, try peach arugula salad, pisto (vegetable stew), or corn casserole. You can also serve the pork with a variety of salsas and make tacos.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Cuban black beans

Also known as frijoles negros, these are a staple for any Cuban meal.

The recipe has many different versions, but they all share an element in common – the sofrito (the base that is responsible for the delicious flavors of these black beans).

It’s made from onions, garlic, and green bell peppers. Traditional recipes will then add a splash of vinegar and sugar.

Serve your Cuban pork with a generous helping of these Cuban black beans for a hearty meal.

Cilantro lime rice

Rice is another traditional pairing for Cuban pork (served together with the black beans!)

But to keep things interesting, you can skip the plain white rice and make cilantro lime rice instead.

This rice dish’s fresh, zesty flavor matches your tangy Cuban pork perfectly.

Follow this simple recipe for cilantro lime rice.

Psst… I also recommend a Mexican-style rice like this one if you prefer less acidity.

Maduros (caramelized plantains)

Also known as sweet plantains, these are one of the most famous side dishes in Latin and Caribbean cuisines.

These may remind you of tostones, but the difference is these are made with ripe plantains, while tostones are made from unripe ones.

The resulting dish?

Crispy, caramelized bites that are soft and tender on the inside.

Pair these maduros with your Cuban pork for a mouthwatering sweet-and-sour flavor combination.

Southern-style collard greens

Add a tasty Southern twist to your Cuban pork with these collard greens.

Collard greens are naturally bitter, but cooking them low and slow mellows out that bitterness.

Throw some bacon, spices, and aromatics in, and you’ve got a tasty pot of healthy greens.

This usually takes hours to make, but if you have an instant pot, it cuts down your cooking time to just 40 minutes.

Enjoy these instant pot collard greens even during busy weeknight dinners.

Salsa, guac, and tacos

Shredded Cuban pork is GREAT for making tacos with.

So if you’re planning a potluck or a party, get a load of salsas, some creamy guacamole, and taco shells.

Then let the guests serve themselves.

I’d have a pico de gallo, a mango salsa, this traditional guacamole, and a corn and black bean salsa.

Plus lots of cheese of course.

Coleslaw

Looking for a summer-friendly dish that’ll jazz up your Cuban pork?

You can’t go wrong with a simple coleslaw.

The crunchy cabbage provides the perfect texture contrast to melt-in-the-mouth Cuban pork.

Brighten up any meal with a serving of this creamy coleslaw.

Garlic green beans

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/485544403580238007/

Cuban pork is a rich dish, so a simple vegetable side, like these green beans, is the perfect accompaniment.

This dish involves frying your green beans and seasoning them with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a spritz of lemon.

These pan-fried garlic green beans are the ideal side dish when you’re short on time. You only need 10 minutes.

Pisto (Spanish vegetable stew)

Spanish cuisine is one of the roots of Cuban food, so most of their flavors work well together.

And pisto is the Spanish version of ratatouille.

It’s not the best-looking dish, but it packs a ton of flavor. And when your tangy, sour pork mixes with the tomato sauce it’s divine.

Serve this traditional pisto with some crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.

And you can have the leftovers for brunch the next day with an egg!

Corn casserole

This Mexican street corn casserole might not be the first side that comes to mind when you think of Cuban pork.

But they work so well together.

The creamy casserole helps mellow out the sour flavors from the pork, and the sweetness from the corn adds some contrast.

I also really like this honey butter skillet corn.

Yuca fries

Craving some French fries to go with your Cuban pork?

Go for yuca fries instead.

They’re popular in Cuba and are just like your regular fries, except they’re cut thicker so you get more of the yummy inside.

Serve your yuca fries with a side of this aji amarillo sauce for added spice.

Peach arugula salad

Want something different?

Try this peach arugula salad.

This salad is light and bright, plus the juicy peaches go superbly with meat – precisely what you need to serve with your show-stopping Cuban pork.

Take advantage of peach season and put together this peach arugula salad.

Quick pickled vegetables

These pickled vegetables are my go-to side dish for roasted meat dishes like Cuban pork.

Not only do they add a zingy flavor, but they also add a splash of vibrant color.

And they work really well if you’re planning to put the Cuban pork in a sandwich (with lots of cheese).

These quick fridge pickled vegetables are a breeze to make.

Creamy mash

To turn your Cuban pork into the ultimate comfort meal, serve it with a generous helping of creamy mash.

It’s certainly not traditional, but that doesn’t matter when it tastes this good!

The buttery, velvety mash calms down the acidity of the pork and will leave you feeling very satisfied.

Find out how to make the best mashed potatoes here.

The best side dishes to serve with Cuban pork

Cuban black beans
Cilantro lime rice
Maduros
Southern-style collard greens
Salsa, guac, and tacos
Coleslaw
Garlic green beans
Pisto
Corn casserole
Yuca fries
Peach arugula salad
Quick pickled vegetables
Creamy mash