The 5 Best Plantain Recipes

Keep reading for 5 of my favorite plantain recipes to make from around the world.

Plantains confused me for most of my life. I’m sure you’ve felt the same at some point. They look like a banana but they taste like a potato. It’s hard to know what to make of them.

But once I started working with plantains, I really learned to love them! They’re so versatile! They can be sweet or savory, soft or crispy. If you love potatoes, you’re going to love plantains too.

If you want some ideas for good, easy ways to add some diversity to your dinner, look no further. This list shows you my five favorite plantain recipes! These plantain recipes come from all over the world, so they’re a great way to experience culture from your kitchen 🙂

Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!

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Red Beans and Plantains

Red Beans and Plantains is a 30-minute recipe from Burundi made with… you guessed it, red beans and plantains! It gets its delicious flavor from cinnamon and cumin which give it a toasty, homey flavor. It then simmers on the stove to soften the plantains and allow the flavors to combine. SO GOOD!

Perfectly Crispy Homemade Tostones

Tostones are twice-fried plantains that are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Vaguely reminiscent of a thick potato chip, they are best enjoyed with salt. Here’s a tostones recipe that you can make at home!

Bandeja Paisa from Colombia

This Bandeja Paisa Colombiana recipe is the national dish of Colombia! If you want to try an array of Colombian flavors in one dish, this recipe is your go to! You’re going to love it.

Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs Recipe

best plantain recipes. cast iron skillet chicken thighs

In Cameroon there’s a scrumptious chicken recipe called Poulet DG, which is really just a fancy name for Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs. The chicken thighs cook in a cast iron skillet alongside vegetables like bell peppers, green beans, and plantains and then coated in a yummy parsley sauce.