5 Last-Minute Latino Thanksgiving Recipes

a woman in red dress eating vegetables

We’ve all been there—Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving is around the corner, and you suddenly realize you’re that person who forgot to make something. Don’t panic! If you’re looking to bring something delicious and unique to the table (literally), why not lean into Latino flavors? These last-minute recipes are simple, delicious, and will have everyone asking for seconds. Bonus: they’re super quick to whip up.


Crispy Tostones with Garlic Dipping Sauce

A plate of green plantains and shrimp with a bottle of beer next to itPhoto by Jose Hernandez on Unsplash

Got a stash of green plantains? Turn them into crispy, golden tostones. Slice the plantains into thick rounds, fry them once, smash them flat, and fry them again until perfectly crispy. Serve with a garlicky dipping sauce made from olive oil, minced garlic, and a splash of lime juice. These crunchy bites are the perfect appetizer to munch on while waiting for the main meal.

Spicy Sweet Potato Empanadas

a table with many empanadas and dip saucePhoto by WØM | Creative Studio on Unsplash

Move over, pumpkin pie. Sweet potatoes are about to steal the show! You can use pre-made empanada dough (find it in the frozen section) or make it like your abuela taught you. Then, all you need to do is mash up some roasted sweet potatoes and mix them with a pinch of cayenne, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey. Fill the empanadas, seal the edges, and bake or fry them until golden brown. They’re sweet, spicy, and ridiculously good.

Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)

a white bowl filled with food on top of a wooden tablePhoto by Lucas Lobak Neves on Unsplash

This Puerto Rican classic is a crowd-pleaser and couldn’t be easier to throw together. Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a big pot, toss in some pigeon peas (gandules), tomato sauce, and rice, and let it all cook in seasoned chicken broth. Add a pinch of sofrito or sazón for that signature flavor. This can be served as a side dish! Watch it disappear faster than you can say “¡Buen provecho!”

Elote Corn Casserole

a dish made with corn and vegetablesPhoto by jaikishan patel on Unsplash

Take everyone’s favorite Mexican street corn (elote) and turn it into a creamy, cheesy Thanksgiving side dish. Mix canned corn, sour cream, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, and chili powder, then bake it in the oven until bubbly and golden on top. Top it off with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and you’ve got yourself a dish that tastes like a fiesta.

Guava and Cream Cheese Pastries

a frying pan filled with food on top of a stovePhoto by Dámaris Azócar on Unsplash

Need a dessert that’s ridiculously easy but still looks like you put in major effort? Grab some puff pastry sheets, slice them into squares, and fill them with a spoonful of guava paste and cream cheese. Fold them over, seal the edges, and bake until golden. Dust with powdered sugar for a fancy finishing touch. They’re flaky and sweet–a perfect way to end the meal.

These last-minute Latino-inspired recipes are a great way to introduce your friends to new flavors. Whether you’re frying up tostones or sneaking a second (or third) guava pastry, these recipes are sure to make people happy and satisfied. So, grab your apron and get cooking.


group of Latina women representing sports media
Luz Media - Sayuri Jimenez

When Karina Martinez and Jennifer Yepez-Blundell founded DRAFTED in 2023, they had one mission: to change the game for Latinas in sports. DRAFTED was created to drive change forward, increase access to ownership and opportunity, and increase the visibility of Latinas in sports. In just two years, the platform has exploded, reaching 4 million people per month and forming powerful partnerships that uplift Latinas in every corner of the sports world. On Super Bowl weekend DRAFTED stepped onto one of the biggest stages in sports—Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans—ensuring that Latinas involved with the NFL were front and center in the conversation.

Keep ReadingShow less
afro-latina quinceanera in a blue dress
Photo by Johana A.

The quinceañera is one of the most cherished traditions in Latino culture, a grand celebration marking a girl’s coming of age at fifteen - though as culture and beliefs evolve, so has the focus of the celebration. Despite how racially diverse the Latino community is, some Afro or Black Latinas still experience implied or explicit racism on their special day.

Keep ReadingShow less
group of latina women arranged over an american football field background
Luz Media

DRAFTED, a Latina-owned company, has become an unapologetic voice of Latina sports culture. Recently, it partnered with Verizon to address the underrepresentation of Latinas in sports media at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX. DRAFTED will be present on Radio Row, where it will highlight Latinas in the NFL. Amid thousands of members of the media in one of the main hubs of the Super Bowl, it will work to ensure Latina voices are fully represented at the 2025 Super Bowl LIX.

Keep ReadingShow less