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    Home / Cuban Kitchen / Ajiaco Cubano

    Ajiaco Cubano

    A Cuban original — Ajiaco Cubano is the island’s great ancestral stew, a slow-simmered cauldron of pork, chicken and beef tangled with malanga, yuca, boniato, green plantain and corn.

    ⏱ 30 minPrep time
    🔥 120 minCook time
    🍽 8Servings
    🏷 Cuban KitchenCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Ajiaco Cubano - Cubain recipe

    A Cuban original — Ajiaco Cubano is the island’s great ancestral stew, a slow-simmered cauldron of pork, chicken and beef tangled with malanga, yuca, boniato, green plantain and corn. Born from the blending of Taino, African and Spanish cooking, it is considered by many to be Cuba’s original dish. Thick, hearty and unapologetically rustic, it is meant to be shared from one deep pot.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. In a large pot, brown the pork, beef and chicken in a splash of oil over medium-high heat, working in batches, until golden on all sides.
    2. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic and tomatoes, and cook, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes.
    3. Pour in the water or broth, add the bay leaves and oregano, and bring to a boil.
    4. Add the malanga, yuca, boniato and calabaza, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
    5. Add the plantains and corn, and continue simmering for 30 to 40 minutes more, until the meats are tender and the roots are soft.
    6. Mash a few pieces of malanga and boniato against the side of the pot to thicken the broth, the traditional way.
    7. Season with salt, pepper and the sour orange juice, and simmer 10 minutes more.
    8. Serve in deep bowls, with lime wedges and chopped cilantro alongside.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The stew should be thick enough that a spoon stands up in it — mashing the roots is what gets it there. Ajiaco tastes even better the day after, once the flavors have settled.

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    Recipe details

    Prep30 min
    Cook120 min
    Servings8
    CategoryCuban Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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