These 15 Colombian recipes might look unfamiliar, but each one delivers bold flavor, rich tradition, and something totally different from the usual. Whether it’s a fruit you’ve never tasted or a drink that doesn’t follow the rules, every dish has something worth trying. They don’t play it safe, and that’s the point. If you’ve ever passed over Colombian food out of hesitation, this is your sign to finally try it.
Traditional Colombian Patacones (Fried Green Plantains)
Traditional Colombian Patacones are twice-fried green plantain slices with a crispy outside and soft middle. They take about 25 minutes to make and rely on green plantains, salt, and oil. The taste is savory, starchy, and just slightly nutty—great on their own or as a base for toppings. They’re a staple in Colombia but still catch people off guard outside the country.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Colombian Patacones (Fried Green Plantains)
Colombian Lulo Juice
Colombian Lulo Juice is a tart and citrusy drink made from the tropical lulo fruit, often described as a mix between rhubarb and lime. It takes around 10 minutes to prepare using fresh lulo, water, and sugar. The flavor is sharp, refreshing, and just sweet enough to balance the acidity. Most people outside Colombia haven’t even heard of lulo, let alone tried this tangy favorite.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Lulo Juice
Colombian Avena (Oatmeal Drink)
Colombian Avena is a cold, creamy drink made from cooked oats, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. It takes about 40 minutes to chill and prepare, and ends up thick and lightly spiced. The taste is comforting, mellow, and slightly sweet with a touch of cinnamon. It's often skipped by outsiders who can’t picture oats as a drink instead of a bowl.
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Colombian Baked Plantains Recipe With Guava And Cheese
Colombian Baked Plantains with Guava and Cheese combine ripe plantains, gooey cheese, and sweet guava paste for a sweet-savory side or dessert. The dish takes around 35 minutes to make in the oven. The flavor hits with salty, creamy, and fruity all in one bite. It’s a classic combo in Colombia but can feel unexpected to those unfamiliar with the ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Baked Plantains Recipe With Guava And Cheese
Colombian Arepas
Colombian Arepas are thick cornmeal patties that are grilled or pan-fried, usually taking about 25 minutes from start to finish. Made with precooked cornmeal, water, and salt, they’re soft inside with a golden crust. They taste mildly nutty and are often eaten plain or stuffed with meats or cheese. Many assume they’re like Mexican tortillas, but they’re a whole different experience.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Arepas
Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Chicken Colombian Tamales are hearty bundles of corn dough, chicken, vegetables, and spices wrapped in banana leaves. They take time—usually about 2 to 3 hours—but the payoff is a deeply flavorful, slow-cooked meal. The taste is earthy, spiced, and layered thanks to the banana leaf steaming. They're rich in tradition, yet often skipped due to their unfamiliar wrapping.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Colombian Canelazo Cocktail
Colombian Canelazo is a warm cocktail made with aguardiente, cinnamon, panela (raw sugar), and water, taking about 20 minutes to simmer. It’s spicy, sweet, and slightly herbal with a strong licorice kick from the aguardiente. Usually served during cold weather or holidays, it’s a Colombian go-to. Many are hesitant because the drink looks simple, but it’s anything but plain.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Canelazo Cocktail
Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk
Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk is a dessert or side dish that combines ripe plantains, cinnamon, sugar, and coconut milk. It simmers for about 30 minutes until the plantains are soft and infused with the creamy coconut flavor. The taste is sweet, tropical, and just a little spiced. It’s not a common combo outside Colombia, but it’s well-loved once people try it.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk
Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains
Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains are golden, caramelized slices of fully ripened plantains that cook in about 15 minutes. They're soft, sugary, and slightly crisp on the edges with nothing more than plantains and oil. The flavor is rich and sweet, almost like dessert even when served with savory food. People skip them thinking they’re bananas, but they’re sweeter and more complex.
Get the Recipe: Fried Ripe Sweet Plantains
Ajiaco Recipe
Ajiaco is a traditional Colombian soup made from three kinds of potatoes, chicken, corn, and a native herb called guascas. It takes about 90 minutes to make and ends up thick, rich, and deeply savory. The mix of starchy potatoes and bright herbs gives it a unique flavor. It’s not widely known outside Colombia, which is why many never give it a shot.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Recipe
Arepas de Choclo
Arepas de Choclo are sweet corn cakes made with ground corn, sugar, and cheese, usually grilled in about 30 minutes. They have a crisp outside and a chewy, cheesy middle that makes them taste like a mashup of cornbread and pancake. The flavor is lightly sweet and salty all at once. They often confuse newcomers who don’t expect cheese in something sweet.
Get the Recipe: Arepas de Choclo
Colombian Hot Chocolate
Colombian Hot Chocolate is made with dark chocolate melted into milk and often includes cheese cubes dropped in to melt slowly. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare and has a rich, bittersweet flavor with a creamy texture. The cheese adds a salty balance as it melts in the cup. It’s hard for outsiders to grasp, but Colombians swear by this combo.
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Aguardiente Sour
Aguardiente Sour is a citrusy cocktail that uses aguardiente, lime juice, and simple syrup, shaken and served cold in under 10 minutes. The licorice note from the aguardiente mixes with the tart lime for a bold, clean taste. It’s punchy, herbal, and totally different from standard cocktails. People hesitate because of the unfamiliar base, but it delivers serious flavor.
Get the Recipe: Aguardiente Sour
Colombian Cheese Arepas
Colombian Cheese Arepas are golden cornmeal cakes filled or topped with melted cheese, taking about 20 minutes to prepare. They're savory, slightly crispy, and chewy with a mild corn flavor. The melted cheese makes them rich and satisfying without being heavy. They're often passed over by those who think they’re too simple—but the flavor proves otherwise.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Cheese Arepas
Colombian Fruit Salad
Colombian Fruit Salad is a bright mix of tropical fruits like papaya, pineapple, and banana, often topped with condensed milk and shredded cheese. It takes about 15 minutes to toss together and hits sweet, tangy, and creamy notes all at once. The mix of fruit and dairy surprises most people. It’s popular on Colombian streets but still unfamiliar to many abroad.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Fruit Salad
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