The Delicious and Diverse Foods of Venezuela

Venezuela’s food culture has roots in the indigenous, Spanish, and African culinary traditions that existed before the country became an independent nation in 1830. These influences can be seen in the wide variety of dishes that Venezuelans enjoy, from savory empanadas to sweet treats like the arepa de maiz, which has been described as the perfect Venezuelan food. As you explore Venezuela’s flavors, take time to learn about some of the cooking methods used in this South American country; these include marinating, boiling, frying, and grilling foods over charcoal or wood fires.

A Brief History of the Cuisine

The cuisine of Venezuela is as diverse as the country itself. There are Spanish, African, and Indigenous influences in the food, which has resulted in a unique and delicious mix of flavors. The country is also home to some of the best street food in the world. From arepas to cachapas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking for a taste of Venezuela, be sure to try some of the following dishes:
Pabellón criollo: This is the national dish of Venezuela and it consists of rice, black beans, shredded beef, plantains, and cheese. All of these ingredients come together to create an absolutely delicious meal that can serve as either a main course or side dish. If you love Latin American flavors, this dish will not disappoint! It’s perfect for anyone who wants to experience all of the culture that Venezuela has to offer.
Pabellón de carne mechada: For those who want something slightly different, this dish is made with meat that has been shredded like pulled pork and then covered in tomato sauce. It tastes great with arepas on the side. I could go on forever about Venezuelan street food – from hot dogs called chorizos to fried corn called arepas to coconut drinks called pinolas. But one thing I’ve learned after living here for two years is that if you ask someone what their favorite Venezuelan dish is, they’ll most likely have a different answer every time you ask them!

Regional Dishes

From arepas to cachapas, empanadas to pabellón criollo, Venezuelan cuisine is as delicious as it is diverse. But there’s more to the country’s food culture than just its regional dishes. Venezuelans love their drinks, too! From coffee to cocktails, here are some of the most popular drinks in Venezuela. As a general rule, iced coffees are enjoyed during the day, while hot coffees take over at night. Iced lattes with milk or water are usually served with breakfast or on hot summer days, while tall cold brewed coffee takes over when it’s warm outside. It’s also common for Venezuelans to drink café con leche with breakfast; this blend consists of a strong coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk or whole milk for a creamy taste that many find irresistible.
Another favorite coffee concoction is café bomba, which has an extremely concentrated coffee flavor and tastes like espresso with whipped cream on top. For those who prefer something sweeter, try café guayoyo: made from ground coffee beans boiled in sugar cane syrup until thickened, then chilled. You can enjoy this café style all year round!

There’s also the ever-popular cafecito—brewed espresso poured into a glass of steamed milk. Meanwhile, coctel de frutas (fruit cocktail) combines fruit juices with rum and sparkling wine to create one tasty refreshment. The Arakakusy, meanwhile, features either aguardiente or vodka infused with red wine and honey before being garnished with citrus fruit slices.

Appetizers, Snacks, and Starters

Arepas are a type of cornbread that can be filled with all sorts of deliciousness, from meats to vegetables to cheeses. Empanadas are another popular snack food in Venezuela, and they come in both savory and sweet varieties. Arepitas de queso are fried balls of cheese, while tequeños are fried cheese sticks. You can also find cachapas, which are pancakes made out of sweet corn. For something a little different, try a pabellón criollo, which is a dish made with rice, black beans, plantains, and beef. It’s similar to paella but made with local ingredients.

Cojuelos are baked cakes of yuca flour and coconut milk that have an almost custard-like texture. These treats are usually served with honey for dipping. Empanadas de carne y huevo (filled with ground beef and egg) or empanadas de pollo (filled with chicken) might be more your speed if you’re looking for some protein at your next meal! Venezuelan cuisine has influenced the cuisines of other Latin American countries as well. Some examples include the tamalitos de maiz, which are cornmeal tamales wrapped in banana leaves; chicharrones, deep-fried pork rinds; and mojarra frita, fried fish. Venezuelan people love their coffee and beer too!
They typically drink coffee after every meal, instead of dessert like we do here in America. And when it comes to beer, Venezuelans will drink light beers like Presidente or Caracas Dark alongside heavier brews like Guinness Extra Stout or a Malta Malta heavy on the malt flavor.

Main Courses

From arepas to cachapas, there’s no shortage of deliciousness when it comes to Venezuelan food. But there’s more to the country’s cuisine than just those two well-known dishes. Pabellón criollo, for example, is a popular dish made with rice, black beans, stewed meat, and plantains. Then there’s hallaca, a type of tamale made with cornmeal dough and typically filled with chicken, pork, beef, or even fish. And don’t forget about empanadas!

These handheld pies can be filled with all sorts of things like cheese, ham, or chicken. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to your liking in Venezuela. There’s also venezolanas, a popular street food consisting of mashed plantain patties wrapped in carajillo leaves. Carajillo leaves have both sweet and spicy flavors which gives these treats an extra kick.
Another classic is taroa, which consists of ground potatoes mixed with eggs, fried until crispy on the outside, and then fried again so that they’re nice and golden brown on both sides. They’re traditionally served with saltines as a side dish (although bread will do). A final dish worth mentioning is arroz con pollo or simply arroz con mayo (rice with mayonnaise), which many people say tastes better than it sounds.

Seafood Dishes

From arepas to cachapas, empanadas to pabellón criollo, the food of Venezuela is as diverse as its landscape. And while meat dishes may get all the attention, there are plenty of delicious sides, salads, and vegetables to be found in Venezuelan cuisine. Here are just a few examples fried plantains (patacones), ripe avocado slices (aguacates fritos), boiled yuca root (yuca hervido) with salt and pepper, corn on the cob with lime or cheese (elote o queso con limon), fried yucca cakes called humitas.
Other popular regional foods include sofrito de la sabana, made from palm hearts and spices like garlic, onion, paprika, tomato sauce; or pan de bonón made from dough that includes butter or shortening; these both have a sweet crust on top and an interior that is soft but crumbly. One final example is reina pepiada, which features chunks of pineapple and shredded chicken marinated in lemon juice and olive oil. The dish usually has a creamy dressing made with avocados and seasoned with lots of parsley.

Sides, Salads, and Vegetables

Venezuelan cuisine is a unique blend of indigenous, African, and European influences. Common ingredients include plantains, yuca, beans, corn, rice, beef, chicken, and pork. One of the most popular dishes is arepas, which are cornmeal or flour patties that can be filled with any number of meats or vegetables. Other popular dishes include empanadas (fried or baked pastries stuffed with meat or cheese), cachapas (corn pancakes), pabellón criollo (rice, black beans, and shredded beef), and hallacas (tamales made with beef or chicken). Venezuelans also enjoy fresh fruit juices, such as those made from mangoes, pineapple, guava, papaya, and oranges.

They drink coffee with milk and sugar, often topped off with a dollop of cream. For dessert, they enjoy traditional sweets like suspiros de leche (puffs made from coconut filling) and bolo de venezolano (a type of sponge cake). Plantain chips are an everyday snack for many Venezuelans. These tasty chips can be fried in either oil or lard, sprinkled with salt and chili powder, and eaten alone or dipped in one of Venezuela’s many delicious sauces.