Cook Up These Recipes for Hispanic Heritage Month

When discussing the heritage of any people group, the food they prepare is one of the most important parts of the equation. That is certainly true of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is officially underway.

Whether you want to take part in the month-long celebration of the rich history of Hispanic and Latinx people, or you’re just looking for ways to sprinkle in some new recipes, we’ve got you covered with some Hispanic Heritage Month recipes.

But before we get into those tasty recipes, let’s learn a bit more about Hispanic Heritage Month, its history, and when it’s celebrated.

When Is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Unlike some of the other special heritage months that we celebrate in the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month doesn’t begin on the first day of the month and runs through the end.

Instead, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 through October 15. This was done deliberately, in an effort to overlap this time of celebration with as many celebrations of Central American Independence Days as possible.

For example, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras all celebrate their Independence Days on September 15, the day that Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off. Mexico’s Independence Day is September 16, Chile’s is held on September 18, and Belize observes its Independence Day on September 21.

The History of Hispanic Heritage Month

The history of Hispanic Heritage Month goes back to 1968 when a Congressman from California, named George E. Brown introduced a commemorative week that would focus on the rich heritage of the Hispanic people in California.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, there had been a huge push to recognize the Hispanic culture and its impact on the United States, an impact that is even more evident today than it was then.

President Lyndon B. Johnson agreed with Congressman Brown and instituted a one-week celebration that would begin on September 15. For 20 years, Hispanic Heritage Week ran for seven days starting on either September 15 or September 16. That changed in 1988 when Ronald Reagan established Hispanic Heritage Month.

Now that you know a bit more about the history and meaning behind this annual celebration, let’s look at some Hispanic Heritage Month recipes that you can add to your menu at home!

Tacos al Pastor

Tacos are one of the most traditional Hispanic dishes that you can serve at any point, and Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to take your normal tacos to the next level. Instead of ground beef or chicken, this beloved Mexican street food relies on marinated pork that gets slow-cooked to tender perfection and served on a warm corn tortilla.

When it comes to toppings, the sky is the limit.

However, most traditional takes on tacos al pastor include pineapple slices, chili peppers, and some traditional Mexican spices. You can also sprinkle some onions and fresh cilantro onto the taco to give it an extra burst of freshness.

Arepas

During Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to remember that you’re observing more cultures and heritages than those of the Mexican people, which is plenty rich.

Arepas are a staple dish in countless Colombian and Venezuelan homes and communities. These versatile treats are typically filled with cheese, meat, or avocado, which makes it one of the most customizable recipes on our list.

Making your own dough is easy, as you’ll just need some water, pre-cooked cornmeal, and salt. Shape that dough into small patties and cook them until they’re golden brown.

Once the dough is cooked, slice the dough patties open and fill them with your favorite ingredients. Cheese, shredded chicken, strips of steak, and virtually any other option make for a delicious treat.

Ropa Vieja

This savory dish has origins in Cuba and is made from shredded beef that you simmer in a flavor-packed mixture of tomato sauce, bell peppers, onions, and fresh garlic. Once the mixture is cooked and the flavors have melded together beautifully, you can serve it with plantains or rice.

It’s best to slow-cook your flank steak separately from the other ingredients, allowing it to become tender. This tenderness will help the steak absorb the other flavors.

While the steak cooks, sauté your onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and any spices you want to use. When everything has cooked, put all of the ingredients into your tomato sauce before serving over rice or alongside plantains.

Empanadas

Along with tacos, empanadas are some of the most popular foods in the Latinx culture. These tasty turnovers are filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and virtually any other filling that you can think of. Your taste buds are quite literally your only limitation with these fully customizable dishes.

Start by using flour, salt, butter, and water to create a smooth dough. Then, choose the fillings that you want to use, whether it’s chicken and cheese or a wide array of veggies, and put them in the dough, creating a turnover.

If you want finger food, you can make miniature empanadas, or you can go big and make something that can be a meal on its own. Once you’ve got the dough packed with your chosen filling, bake or fry it until the dough turns golden brown and develops a nice crisp, and the filling is cooked through.

Sancocho

Since Hispanic Heritage Month takes place right around the same time that fall starts in the United States, it’s worth integrating a stew into your Hispanic Heritage Month menu. Sancocho is a hearty stew that usually contains either chicken or steak, along with a healthy mix of root vegetables, plantains, and corn.

The recipe for this dish is as straightforward as you can imagine. You can either cook the stew in a large pot on your stovetop, or you can use a crockpot.

Put the meat into the pot with your potatoes, corn, yuca, and other vegetables, mix in some broth, and let it cook until it’s done. If you want to take things up a notch, serve this thick, hearty stew over a bed of rice.

Chiles Rellenos

If you’ve ever had stuffed peppers, you’ve enjoyed a close relative of chiles rellenos, a popular dish in the Mexican culture. Making this dish is another example of a simple recipe that has plenty of options for you to customize based on what you want.

Start by roasting your poblano peppers, making it easy to peel the skin off. Once the skin is removed, you can make a small slit to remove the seeds.

With the seeds out of the way, start stuffing your peppers with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and any other fillings. You can bake these stuffed peppers if you want to take a healthier approach, but traditional chiles rellenos are dipped in egg whites and flour and fried until they turn golden brown.

Pupusas

Several Central American countries enjoy pupusas, but they’re most common in Salvador. As is the case with many of the other recipes on our list, this is a stuffed treat that allows you to load up your dough pockets with any stuffing you want.

Make your dough by mixing masa harina and water. With your smooth dough formed, find whatever stuffing you want to use. Most traditional versions of pupusas involve meat, beans, cheese, and corn, but there are virtually no limits.

With your filling on your dough, shape each piece into a small disc and cook them on a griddle. Pupusas are usually served with a light salsa or slaw, making it a perfect, light dish to serve as an appetizer.

Tres Leches Cake

Finally, we can’t conclude our list of Hispanic Heritage Month recipes without a dessert option, and tres leches cake is one of the most popular. This is one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make, as it's just sponge cake served with three different types of milk.

Start by mixing heavy cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk together. Keep your mixture in the refrigerator to cool until you’re ready to use it.

Then, bake a light sponge cake and poke it full of holes once it’s done. Pour your milk mixture over the cake and give it a few minutes to absorb the mixture. Once you’re ready to serve it up, top the cake with whipped cream and some fresh fruits like mangos or strawberries.

Embracing Hispanic Culture Through Food

Even if you’re not a member of the Latinx community, Hispanic Heritage Month is a great opportunity to learn more about another culture and embrace it. These dishes are a great place to start.