10 Signs You're a Latina Foodie and You Know It

Smiling Latina woman holding a hamburger, posing for the camera.

Being a foodie is a joy in itself, but being a Latina foodie takes the experience to another level because food from Latin America is some of the most delicious in the world. There’s no doubt about it, Latino cuisine is one of the best expressions of Latino culture and it’s a big part of our identity. Some people take their passion to another level so if you’re not sure if you’re a part of the extra club, here are 10 signs that you definitely are:


You will try anything once

Woman trying a taco with edible insects.

One thing about Latina foodies is that they’re not afraid to try new things and explore flavors outside of their comfort zone. While this is often a characteristic of foodies from all over the world, Latino foodies are quite fearless. They will try anything at least once, no matter how strange, including bugs, which are a part of Latin American cuisine, and even fungus. Latino food can get quite strange and adventurous, so being a Latina foodie means you’re game for anything and everything.

Your spice cabinet is impressive

Cabinet filled with an assortment of spices.

Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

Cumin, oregano, and achiote are just the beginning. Your spice cabinet is a treasure trove of flavors, and you know how to use your spices to make your food extra flavorful. Whether you’re making dishes from your particular country or trying your favorites from other Latin American cuisines, you’re a master when it comes to combining spices and enhancing all kinds of foods.

You know the power of a good salsa

Ladle with freshly made sauce

Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels

For you, salsa isn’t just a side dish or a fun addition to some of your meals, like tacos. No, no, you take your salsas seriously! And you know how to make many different salsas from all over Latin America. More importantly, you know how to pair them with the right food to get the most flavor out of your meals. You can whip up a fresh pico de gallo or a smoky chipotle salsa without breaking a sweat, and every meal is an opportunity to whip up some kind of salsa. Also, as a Latina foodie, you believe everything tastes better with a little heat.

Your family recipes are your most prized possessions

Latina mom and her daugther cooking together

Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels

Abuela’s and mamá’s handwritten recipes (if you’re lucky enough to have them in writing) are worth more than gold to you. You’ve learned their secret techniques, which have been passed down from generations, and you’re proud to carry that over to the next generation. From making tamales to perfecting arroz con pollo or making the best tres leches cake, the recipes you’ve inherited from your family are precious to you. They not only connect you to your Latino heritage and help you keep traditions alive, but they’ve also taught you to make delicious dishes and become the foodie you are today.

Avocado is your best friend

woman posing for the camera while smiling and holding an open avocado

Photo by Arina Krasnikova on Pexels

Life without avocado (or lime) loses its shine, in your opinion, so there’s always at least one avocado at home. Not only that, as a Latina foodie, you’re an expert in recognizing perfectly ripe avocados just by touch. Plus, you can always find a way to add avocado to your meals in ways that complement the dish perfectly. Whether that’s by slicing, dicing, or mashing it to make guacamole or creamy sauces, you’re a master at making the most of your avocado.

Every celebration is a good excuse for a feast

outdoor table, served with a feast of food

Photo by on Lee Myungseong on Unsplash

Latina foodies not only enjoy eating, they also enjoy cooking, and they place food at the forefront of any celebration. Whether that’s a birthday, a special holiday, a new promotion at work, or anything else, any excuse is good enough to make a small or large feast. As a Latina foodie, it makes you happy to gather your friends and family around a table to enjoy Latin American dishes.

You love street food as much as fine dining

woman in white  floral shirt eating a hot dogPhoto by Dan Rooney on Unsplash

Latina foodies love street food as much as they love fine dining because street food is where the magic happens. While fine dining is a lovely experience, street food just feels more authentic and down-to-earth. Whether it’s tacos from a food truck, arepas or empanadas from a street vendor, or churros at a fair, you appreciate the art of street food because it’s bold and carefree. Not to mention delicious!

You have strong opinions about plantains

a person holding a bunch of green plantainsPhoto by Eriel Ezequiel Reyes Saviñon on Unsplash

Sweet or savory, tostones or maduros, you take your plantains seriously and have certain preferences that aren’t up for discussion. Latina foodies know the perfect plantain ripeness for each type of dish and more than a couple of ways to cook them. Whether they’re fried, baked, boiled, mashed with butter and cheese, grilled, or caramelized, plantains make you happy, and they’re one of your favorite side dishes and ingredients to cook with.

Your pantry is always full of good stuff

'Pabell\u00f3n' traditional dish from Venezuela

Photo by Byfreddygutierrez on Wikimedia Commons

Black beans, rice, tortillas, and cornmeal are a few of the things that are always on hand in your home. As a Latina foodie, you’re always prepared for any craving, whether it’s a quick rice and beans dinner or more elaborate dishes like pabellón from Venezuela, chicken mole from Mexico, mofongo from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, pupusas from El Salvador, etc. If your pantry is a reflection of the Latino culinary traditions you love, there’s no denying you’re a foodie.

You know food is love

Woman cooking and sharing a family moment

Photo by Vanessa Loring on Pexels

For Latina foodies, cooking and sharing food is a love language. Feeding people is how you show you care, and you love introducing people to new dishes, especially if they’re not Latino and have a very narrow idea of Latino cuisine. From making a comforting bowl of caldo de pollo for a sick friend to baking a batch of alfajores just because you understand that food is good for the body and soul, you love sharing your culture, and food is your preferred vehicle.

Protestors at women's march stand behing a banner that reads "we are still the resistance"
Photo Courtesy of the Women's March

On January 18, 2025, Washington, D.C., will once again become a hub of public dissent with The People’s March, hosted by Women’s March. This demonstration comes at a historic moment, just days before Donald Trump begins his second term as president. Framed as a collective stand against policies that organizers see as harmful to equality and justice, the march aims to unite voices from across the nation in an act of resistance and hope.

Keep ReadingShow less
image of devastating fires in Los Angeles area

Last updated: January 9, 1:20 p.m. PT.

Multiple wildfires are currently tearing through Los Angeles County, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee. The fires have now claimed 10 lives. While the Palisades fire captured widespread media attention due to its location in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, at the time of this reporting, the Eaton Fire quickly grew to the same devastating size as the Palisades and took entire neighborhoods with it. The Eaton fire is still currently impacting areas with a significant Latino population, such as Altadena, where 27.2% of the population is Latino according to the latest census.

Keep ReadingShow less
golden globes 2025 nominees
Created by Luz Media

This year’s Golden Globe Awards had one of the highest number of Latino nominees in its history. While that’s a milestone worth celebrating, the actual outcome of the ceremony is a reminder of how far Hollywood still has to go. Out of all the groundbreaking nominees, including 8 Latine actors and at least 9 projects with significant Latino involvement behind the scenes (including 4 Latine directors), only 2 Latina actresses, Dominican-Puerto Rican Zoe Saldaña and Brazilian Fernanda Torres, walked away with trophies. Their wins are historic and well-deserved, but they don’t hide the fact that Latino talent continues to be largely overlooked in an industry that thrives on Latine contributions both on and off the screen.

Keep ReadingShow less