Discovery Quest: 27 BEST Authentic Recipes For Ecuadorian Food (2024)

Welcome to the CookingChew quick discovery quest to Ecuador with this list of 27 authentic Ecuadorian Recipes!

Whether you are planning a trip to Ecuador and hoping to get familiar with the country’s cuisine, or you simply want to try a new and delicious recipe for your next meal, there are many Ecuadorian recipes to pique your interest.

Among the many countries in South America, Ecuador is one of the smallest, and this can often mean the country gets overlooked when it comes to food.

However, Ecuador is a beautiful and deeply diverse country filled with many different climates and geographical regions which influence the food culture.

So, the country possesses a lot of rich and delicious cuisines with influences from all around South America and the world.

From tender chicken stews like Seco de Pollo to savory-sweet Dulce de Higo and even party drinks like Canelazo.

Ecuadorian recipes have something for everyone and every occasion.

And the best part about these recipes is that they are pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

You may want to take a look at #10–it’ll take your mashed potatoes game to the next level

Without further ado, here are 27 amazing Ecuadorian recipes you can make at home whenever you want to include a taste of Ecuador on your palate.

This braised pork dish is the perfect dinner to try whenever you need a filling meal.

Chunks of boneless pork and ribs are slow-cooked in a spice-filled mixture of water, orange juice, garlic, onions, and cumin to create a tender dish.

It is then served with boiled yuca and plantains, and avocado on a platter that is sure to tempt anyone.

If you love the irresistible taste of tamales, then you’ll definitely love this savory version.

A mixture of cornmeal, sugar, red onions, mozzarella cheese, and garlic are steamed together and then wrapped in a corn husk.

To elevate the taste, be sure to pair it with a spicy charred tomato salsa filled with Roma tomatoes, serrano peppers, and cilantro.

Want an irresistible snack to keep you satiated?

These fried pastry turnovers are the perfect thing to try.

Classic pastry dough is made from flour, butter, baking powder, and a dash of orange juice.

The dough is then rolled out and filled with a delicious mixture of quesillo cheese and onions before being deep-fried.

This breakfast dish is made from unripe plantains and is the perfect dish to pair with your morning cup of coffee.

Green plantains are boiled, mashed, and mixed with butter, cheese, and salt to form a dough ball.

It is then fried till a golden brown crispy fritter is formed.

Tuna, onions, cumin, tomatoes, and chili powder are boiled with cilantro and chopped pieces of yuca to form this decadent fish soup.

If you’re not a fan of tuna, you can also swap it for any other type of fish you like.

Be sure to serve this broth with pickled onions, tomato salsa, and some toasted corn nuts.

These cheese-stuffed potato patties make a perfect meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Boiled potatoes are mashed and combined with cheese, green onions, and pepper, then shaped into a round patty.

It is then lightly fried on a skillet and served with a tomato-avocado salad.

This traditional Ecuadorian drink is a versatile dessert that can be served either hot or cold.

A tasty combo of dried hominy corn, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and star anise is slow-cooked till a thick drink is formed.

It is a smooth-tasting drink that can be paired with any meal.

Want a delicious comfort food to cozy up to? Enter Aguado De Gallina.

Rice, tomatoes, chicken broth, onions, chicken, potatoes, and carrot is boiled with a spice blend containing cumin, cayenne, cilantro, and achiote.

This rice and chicken soup is the perfect way to get your vegetable and carbs in one delicious meal.

Want to up the ante of your fruit punch? Try this spiced fruit drink

It is often served during a traditional holiday in Ecuador but can also be served as a signature red drink for your parties and Christmas holidays.

Blackberries, blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, and other fruits are boiled with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and star anise.

Elevate your mash potatoes with this Ecuadorian Molo recipe.

Boiled potatoes are mashed with a mixture of sour cream, butter, milk, olive oil, onions, and garlic till fluffy.

Be sure to serve this delicious side dish on a bed of lettuce, tomatoes, and boiled eggs.

This decadent Ecuadorian holiday soup is a surefire way of filling your taste buds with deliciousness.

Cod, pumpkin, squash, cream cheese, onions, lentils, and a combo of other veggies are slow-cooked to perfection with a rich blend of spices.

You can serve this soup with empanadas, avocados, or fried plantain.

This is a vegan take on a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast.

Mote or hominy is boiled and then sauteed with tofu, onions, garlic, black pepper, and achiote.

If you’re not a fan of tofu, you can use eggs instead for a scrambled eggs version.

Plantains are a staple food in Ecuador, so it is no surprise they are made into these delicious plantain patties.

Boiled plantains are mashed to form a dough and then stuffed with queso cheese and seared on a griddle for a few minutes.

They can be served with hot sauce or salsa.

A sumptuous stew is made cooked from lentils, onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, and garlic.

This tender stew is then paired with soft rice cooked in butter and topped with fried egg and avocado slice.

This combo is a great dish to have for lunch or dinner.

This bread is a soft and chewy dish that may be an option if you’re on a gluten-free diet.

Tapioca flour, baking powder, eggs, parmesan cheese, and coconut milk are combined to form a dough that’s baked into buttery and cheesy goodness.

Chicken thighs and legs are cooked till tender in a mouth-watering blend of tomatoes, bell pepper, chillis, parsley, orange, and chicken stock.

This delicious stew can be served with Ecuadorian rice or enjoyed on its own.

Ecuadorian recipes often involve deliciously cooked sauces, and creamy sauce is one to try.

Large chunks of white fish are cooked in a rich coconut sauce with tomatoes, onions, coriander, and cumin.

This dish is paired with fried plantains and rice for a complete meal.

This cheesy potato soup melts in the mouth and instantly makes you reach for more.

Potatoes are boiled and slow-cooked with onions, garlic, milk coriander, olive oil, and cheese.

The mixture is then coarsely blended to form a smooth thick soup with some texture and grit.

This cinnamon and citrus-flavored drink is the ideal co*cktail to make parties.

Cinnamon, sugar, and orange slices are slow-cooked and then combined with sugar cane-derived liquor known as aguardiente.

This shrimp ceviche is going to please ceviche lovers everywhere.

Boiled Shrimp, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, fresh lemon, and orange juice are marinated together with other spices and served cold.

You can also sprinkle a few bites of fried plantains on it when serving.

This yellow rice is a great dish that can be paired with almost anything.

White rice is cooked in a mix of achiote, onions, oil, and garlic.

You can use turmeric in place of achiote to get that signature yellow color.

This is a perfect snack to try if you love the savory-sweet taste of plantains.

Boiled plantains are smashed with a bottle and then deep fried till golden brown.

Want to add some heat to your meals?

Try this homemade hot sauce.

This fruity and spicy sauce is made with a freshly blended combo of tree tomatoes, chili, limes, cilantro, and onions.

This fruit salad is a great dessert for summer.

Papayas, bananas, and watermelons are frozen, cut into cubes, and mixed with chilled orange juice.

These sweet and savory syrup-soaked figs are amazing!

Fresh figs are boiled with sugar, cloves, and allspice until a syrup is formed to coat the figs.

They are great and tasty on their own or can be paired with bread.

Cheesy banana fritters?

Yes, please!

A thick batter is made with flour, milk, baking powder, and egg.

Then the batter is fried with cheese stuffed bananas till golden brown.

Be sure to dust some powdered sugar on the top after frying.

Most people probably don’t think of quesadillas as a dessert, but the Ecuadorian version is a sweet cream cheese-filled goodness.

A dough is made from flour and egg and then filled with rich cream cheese, egg yolk, and a sugar combo.

Finally, the dough is folded into a pentagon shape and baked to perfection.

The bottom line

When it comes to food and the diversity of culinary techniques, Ecuador has an endless number of options to offer.

The dishes from this lovely country are tasty and are sure to delight the adventurous food lover.

So, whenever you want to spice things up in your kitchen, take a culinary adventure to an exotic country and try any one of these sumptuous Ecuadorian recipes.