5 Last-Minute Latino Thanksgiving Recipes

Crispy Tostones with Garlic Dipping Sauce

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

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)

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

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

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.