16 Of The Best Puerto Rican Salads

Puerto Rican cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African, and Native Taino influences. Along with rice, beans, and meats, salads are an important part of the cuisine. However, unlike the fresh green salads popular in other cultures, Puerto Rican salads tend to be heartier, with ingredients that hold up well in tropical weather.

And here's the best part – these salads are not just an explosion of deliciousness, but they're also packed with nutrients to fuel your body and keep you feeling energized throughout the day.

Whether you're looking for a refreshing lunch option, a side dish that steals the show at your next BBQ, or simply a guilt-free way to indulge your taste buds, Puerto Rican salads have got your back. So join us as we uncover the secrets behind these flavor-packed creations, share recipes that are easy to whip up in your kitchen, and inspire you to bring a taste of the tropics to your plate. 

Here’s a list of must-try Puerto Rican Salads!

Ensalada Verde

Ensalada Verde, a traditional green salad from Puerto Rico, is a vibrant and refreshing dish made with a variety of fresh ingredients that burst with flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing. Served as a side dish or enjoyed on its own, this salad is a versatile and nutritious option. It's packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables, making it a wholesome addition to any meal. 

Instant Pot Puerto Rican Potato Salad (Ensalada de Papa)

What sets Puerto Rican Potato Salad apart is the secret ingredient: love and tradition. Passed down through generations, this recipe celebrates family, culture, and the joy of sharing good food. It's a dish that brings people together, evoking memories of lively gatherings and heartfelt conversations around the dinner table.

This vibrant and delectable salad is a delightful blend of creamy potatoes, zesty seasonings, and a medley of colorful ingredients that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad! This vibrant dish combines the crunch of green cabbage, the tanginess of lemon juice, and the refreshing bite of avocados to create a delightful medley of flavors and textures. It's easy to make, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to leave you craving more. 

Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad)

If you want to add a touch of creaminess and freshness to your meal, look no further than Ensalada de Aguacate, also known as Avocado Salad. This creamy and refreshing salad is a true crowd-pleaser and is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or simply as a light and healthy meal.

Guineos Escabache con Mollejas

Imagine crispy slices of pickled green bananas, known as Guineos, dancing on your tongue. These tangy delights in Guineos Escabeche con Mollejas are bathed in a mouthwatering blend of vinegar, garlic, onions, and secret spices, creating a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds sing. 

But wait, there's more! The star of this dish, the mollejas, are tender chicken gizzards cooked to perfection. Each morsel is infused with a symphony of aromatic herbs and spices, delivering a burst of savory goodness that will have you reaching for seconds.

Puerto Rican Green Salad with Red Onion

Also known as Ensalada Verde con Cebolla Morada, Puerto Rican Green Salad with Red Onion is a traditional salad from Puerto Rico. It's a simple yet flavorful dish typically made with fresh greens along with sliced or diced red onions.

The combination of the crisp greens with the tangy dressing and the slightly sharp taste of the red onions creates a refreshing and vibrant salad that complements many Puerto Rican dishes. It's often served as a side dish alongside main courses or as part of a larger meal.

Easy Grilled Chicken Tangerine Salad

A bariatric-friendly recipe, this Easy Grilled Chicken Tangerine Salad is a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures. Grilled chicken, seasoned to perfection, mingles with vibrant tangerine segments atop a bed of crisp salad greens, creating a delightful contrast of sweet and savory. 

The salad bursts with freshness from a medley of colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, adding a satisfying crunch. Drizzled with a light vinaigrette or citrus-infused dressing, this salad offers a refreshing and nutritious dining experience, perfect for those seeking a healthy yet flavorful meal option.

Puerto Rican Fruit Salad

Now, here's a little secret: this Puerto Rican Fruit Salad isn't just a recipe, it's a gateway to creativity. You can mix and match your favorite fruits, experiment with different combinations, and make it your own signature dish. Want to add a sprinkle of coconut for an extra tropical twist? Go for it! Feel like drizzling some lime juice over the top for a zesty kick? Absolutely! The possibilities are endless, and the choice is all yours.

So, why settle for boring old fruit salad when you can embark on a flavor-filled journey with Puerto Rican Fruit Salad? It's time to indulge your senses, awaken your taste buds, and create a tropical paradise right in your kitchen. Grab a knife, chop up some delicious fruits, and let the magic unfold.

Yuca en Escabeche (Puerto Rican Yuca Salad)

Yuca en Escabeche is a Puerto Rican dish that features yuca, also known as cassava, prepared in a tangy and flavorful escabeche sauce. Escabeche is a technique used in Latin American and Spanish cuisines involving marinating cooked vegetables or meats in a vinegar-based sauce seasoned with herbs and spices.

The dish is often served cold or at room temperature, allowing the yuca to absorb the flavors of the tangy escabeche sauce. It's a popular side dish or appetizer in Puerto Rican cuisine, offering a unique combination of textures and flavors.

Ensalada de Coditos

The beauty of Ensalada de Coditos lies in its versatility. You can customize it to your liking, adding your favorite vegetables, and protein options, or even experimenting with different dressings. It's a fantastic opportunity to get creative and make it uniquely yours. Whip up a batch and watch as it becomes the star of the show at your next gathering, and get ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors and textures that will transport you to the heart of Latin America.

Ensalada de King Crab

Ensalada de King Crab, or King Crab Salad, is a dish popular in Puerto Rican cuisine that features king crab meat as the main ingredient. It's a refreshing salad typically made with chunks or flakes of king crab meat mixed with various ingredients to create a flavorful and often tangy dish.

Ensalada de King Crab is served chilled and is known for its combination of the sweet, delicate flavor of the king crab meat with the zesty and vibrant flavors of the dressing and vegetables. It's often served as an appetizer or as part of a seafood spread in Puerto Rican cuisine, especially in coastal areas where seafood is abundant.

Mango Avocado Black Bean Salad

Imagine the juicy sweetness of ripe mangoes, perfectly complemented by the smooth and velvety texture of fresh avocados. These two tropical powerhouses combine with protein-packed black beans to create a satisfying and nutritious salad that will keep you energized throughout the day.

But the Mango Avocado Black Bean salad is not just about the ingredients—it's about the experience. Picture yourself sitting on a sun-kissed patio, feeling the gentle breeze caress your face as you take your first bite. The explosion of flavors will transport you to a tropical paradise, where every forkful is an invitation to indulge in the vibrant colors and tantalizing textures of this culinary delight.

Tomato and Onion Salad (Ensalada de Tomate y Cebolla)

The Tomato and Onion salad isn't just about deliciousness—it's also about nourishing your body. Tomatoes are full of antioxidants and vitamins, while onions offer a range of health benefits, including immune-boosting properties. With every bite, you're giving your body a dose of goodness that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied.

So, whether you're looking for a vibrant side dish to accompany your grilled favorites or a light and refreshing lunch option, the Tomato and Onion Salad is the answer. It's a celebration of simplicity, flavor, and the joy that comes from savoring the best of what nature has to offer.

Puerto Rican Creamy Pasta Salad

Puerto Rican Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful variation of the traditional pasta salad, infused with flavors often found in Puerto Rican cuisine. It typically combines cooked pasta with a creamy dressing and a variety of vegetables and sometimes protein.

The salad is usually served chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together. It's a versatile dish often enjoyed at gatherings, picnics, or as a side dish at meals, offering a delightful blend of creamy textures and vibrant flavors.

Gazpacho (Puerto Rican Salt Cod Salad)

Gazpacho is a cold salad made with “Bacalao,” or salted codfish, a versatile ingredient used in many traditional Puerto Rican dishes. Picture tender flakes of salt cod combined with creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp onions, and a drizzle of olive oil. Each bite is a burst of freshness and tanginess, a true celebration of flavors. Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids from the codfish and antioxidants from the vegetables, it's a dish that nourishes both body and soul.

Sweet and Tangy Plantain Salad

Are you craving a delightful mix of sweetness and tanginess in your salad? Look no further than the mouthwatering Sweet and Tangy Plantain Salad! This vibrant and flavorful dish combines the rich flavors of ripe yellow plantains, cherry tomatoes, and pickled onions, creating a perfect balance that will tantalize your taste buds.

Caribbean Shrimp Quinoa Salad

Caribbean Shrimp Quinoa Salad is a flavorful and nutritious dish that combines succulent shrimp, fluffy quinoa, and a medley of fresh ingredients. The combination of spices and flavors brings a taste of the Caribbean to your plate. It can be served as a side dish or a main course, and it's perfect for BBQs or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a delicious and healthy option. Enjoy this gluten-free recipe packed with protein and bursting with tropical flavors!

Overall, Puerto Rican salads are known for their bold flavors, hearty textures, and ability to withstand the tropical climate. Whether you're trying ensalada de papa for the first time or sampling other Puerto Rican salads, you're sure to experience a unique and delicious aspect of the culture.