Discover over 30 traditional Costa Rican food recipes, from the classic rice and beans to staples of Costa Rican cuisine like Casado, Gallo Pinto, and Ceviche Tico.
This tropical country, known for its lush rainforests, vibrant culture, and pura vida lifestyle, offers a cuisine that is both nourishing and deeply rooted in community and longevity.
Explore these authentic Costa Rican dishes and bring the spirit of Costa Rican food for longevity into your own kitchen. From ceviche to the traditional Sopa Negra, this collection has it all.
What is the Costa Rica Blue Zone?
In the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s famous Blue Zone, many residents live well into their 90s and beyond, thanks in part to their Costa Rican diet. Meals are centered around rice and beans, fresh vegetables, plantains, and yuca, with minimal meat and plenty of fiber.
Nicoya’s peaceful environment and the people’s lifestyle play a pivotal role in their longevity. Located in the heart of Central America, the region blends indigenous Chorotega heritage with other cultures that have settled there over time, creating a strong sense of identity and community.
Mealtimes, whether lunch or dinner, are social and unhurried. People in Costa Rica often center their meals around simple yet nourishing foods, enjoying these wholesome staples throughout the country’s regions, from San José to Puntarenas.
Costa Rican Cuisine: Wholesome and Full of Pura Vida
Costa Rican cuisine is simple, healthy, and deeply connected to everyday life. It reflects the country’s spirit — what locals call pura vida — joy in small things, balance, and appreciation for local vegetables and produce. At its heart are humble ingredients like rice, beans, plantain, and fresh vegetables, often paired with meat or fish.
One of the most iconic traditional Costa Rican dishes is the Casado or Chifrijo, bringing together rice, black beans, salad, fried plantains, and meat or fish. They come together on one plate, symbolically “marrying” into a complete meal.
These traditional dishes symbolize Costa Rican cuisine, where lunch is hearty and dinner is light. A rhythm of eating reflects balance and connection to the land.
30+ Traditional Costa Rican food for breakfast
Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Rice and Beans)
When I visited Costa Rica, I was surprised to see that Costa Ricans eat rice and beans for breakfast. Their traditional Gallo Pinto is a flavorful mix of black beans, white rice, cilantro, red bell pepper. Served with their iconic Lizano salsa, which gives it a tangy depth. For many of us, this dish would usually be served for lunch or dinner, but in Costa Rica, it’s the morning meal. Many recipes suggest using Worcestershire sauce as an alternative if Salsa Lizano is unavailable. However, the authentic version adds a distinctive sweetness and spice that’s hard to match. Typically served with scrambled eggs, sour cream, and a corn tortilla, this simple dish is both comforting and protein-packed. Gallo Pinto means “spotted rooster” in Spanish, referring to the speckled mix of black beans and white rice.
Huevos Rancheros Ticos with salsa
A Costa Rican twist on the Latin American favorite, with beans and rice, tortilla, and a sunny-side-up egg topped with fresh salsa or Pico de Gallo.
Empanadas de Queso (Cheese-Filled Empanadas)
Golden, crispy pastries filled with cheese or beans are perfect as a side dish or quick snack.
Other favorites include soft tortillas with sour cream (tortillas con natilla) or Caribbean Fruit Bread – a sweet, spiced loaf from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast called Pan Bon.
Chorreadas (Costa Rican Corn Pancakes)
Another beloved traditional Costa Rican food for breakfast, Chorreadas are sweet and savory corn pancakes made from white or yellow corn, milk, and a touch of sugar. You can find them at festivals and local street food stands. They’re similar to corn tortillas but softer and slightly sweet. Costa Ricans eat them warm, often paired with sour cream (natilla) for dipping.
Traditional Lunch & Dinner Dishes
Arroz con Pollo, stews, and other meat classics
Among the most loved Rican food dishes, Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) stands out as a true family classic. It’s a comforting combination of cooked rice, onion, pepper, cilantro, and vegetables simmered slowly in chicken broth. Another traditional Costa Rican food favorite, Pollo en Salsa, features tender chicken stewed in a tomato-based sauce with a touch of salsa Lizano, giving it that unmistakable Costa Rican flavor.
For something heartier, Olla de Carne, a traditional beef stew, brings together beef, yucca, plantain, and local vegetables, seasoned with garlic and onion, then cooked slowly until meltingly tender.
And if you crave something modern and satisfying, Chifrijo – a flavorful bowl of rice, black beans, crispy pork, and avocado — is a national favorite, often enjoyed with tortilla chips and pico de gallo.
Street vendors throughout Costa Rica also serve Vigorón, a refreshing mix of yuca, pork rinds (chicharrón), and cabbage salad, balancing rich and crisp textures beautifully.
Traditional Costa Rican dishes with Fish and Seafood
For seafood lovers, the coast offers equally rich and comforting flavors. Rondón, a Caribbean stew, is made with white fish, coconut milk, and root vegetables like yuca and plantain. Its close cousin, Sopa de Mariscos, combines shrimp, crab, and shellfish simmered in a fragrant broth seasoned with fresh herbs.
On the lighter side, Costa Rican Ceviche delivers bright citrus flavors and freshness – raw fish marinated in lime juice with cilantro, red bell pepper, and onion, served cold and perfect for warm beach days.
Vegetarian dishes, including picadillo de chayote or yuca
Vegetarians will find plenty to love in Costa Rican cuisine, where flavor comes naturally from the land. Sopa Negra, a classic black bean soup, is both nourishing and comforting, often served with a boiled egg and corn tortilla.
Picadillo de Chayote, a lightly sautéed mix of chayote, bell pepper, and herbs, makes a flavorful yet simple main when cooked with vegetable broth. There’s also Picadillo de Arracache, made with the root arracache, a local favorite vegetable throughout Costa Rica.
Sides like Yuca Frita, golden crispy Tostones (fried plantains), or boiled yucca with garlic butter add a satisfying crunch to any meal. Even the simplest foods — like white rice, green salads, or tangy cabbage slaw — become pure comfort in Costa Rican kitchens.
Traditional Desserts
Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)
Sweet, creamy, and aromatic, this rice pudding uses brown or white rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar for a comforting Costa Rican recipe.
Tres Leches Cake
A moist sponge cake soaked in sweetened condensed milk and two other types of milk, then topped with whipped cream. Traditional Costa Rican recipes often serve it during celebrations.
Empanadas de Piña (Pineapple Empanadas)
Flaky pastries filled with tropical pineapple jam are another traditional Costa Rican food dessert.
Tamal and Other Beloved Recipes Beyond Costa Rican Gallo Pinto
Vegetable-based dishes like Picadillos – Picadillo de Papa or Picadillo de Papaya Verde make great sides for any main dish.
A holiday tradition, Tamal Tico is corn masa wrapped in a banana leaf, filled with meat, rice, and vegetable oil. You can enjoy Tamales throughout Costa Rica, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
And finally, Empanada de Frijoles Negros, filled with seasoned black beans, is served hot for breakfast or as a bar snack with coffee or agua dulce.
How to Cook Costa Rican Beans and Rice
Want to make Gallo Pinto or a Costa Rican favorite rice bowl easily? Use a rice cooker or instant pot. To begin, start with leftover cooked rice, then sauté onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Next, add black beans and a splash of Lizano sauce. This easy recipe comes together in minutes and embodies the heart of authentic Costa Rican comfort food.
