You will be amazed by the variety of recipes we have to prepare the most delicious dishes for your Dominican cookout (parrillada). Some of these are traditional Dominican recipes, and others are inspired by our criollo taste. With them your parrillada will be a big success.
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Why we ❤️ it
If you are looking for great recipes for a great cookout, here we bring you a huge selection of main dishes, sauces, salads, side dishes, drinks, desserts, and even vegan recipes perfect for the occasion.
There are links to more of my best parrilladas (cookout) recipes – over 40 recipes plus videos – if you want to see a wider selection to plan your cookout.
Meats and seafood cookout recipes
Whether you prefer meat or seafood, here are some dishes that will make your cookout a blockbuster.
[Recipe + Video] Pinchos de Pollo (Chicken Skewers)
Learn how to make chicken skewers or chicken breast skewers super easy and juicy with the best seasoning you can imagine. Have the grill ready in a jiffy with these ideas.
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Garlic Shrimp Skewers [Recipe + Video] Pinchos o Brocretas de Camarones
Enjoy all the tropical flavor of these flavorful brochetas de camarones, garlicky shrimp skewers that can be made in little time and with a few simple ingredients.
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Pechugas de Pollo a la Plancha (Grilled Chicken Breasts)
A popular dish for being healthy and economical, here is the easiest and most delicious way to prepare finger-licking grilled chicken breast.
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Chimi [Recipe + Video] Dominican Chimichurri Burger
Chimichurri Dominicano, the famous Dominican chimi burger is a sauce-dripping burger made throughout the Dominican Rep. a popular street food, and full of Dominican flavors.
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Dominican Hot Dog Recipes for BBQ Party
¿BBQ Fiesta? You are going to love these recipes for a Hot Dog party, there's one for everybody.
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[Recipe + Video] Longaniza Hamburgers
Yeah, I went there: I took the longaniza out of the case. I stuffed between slices of Pan de Agua to make some surprisingly tasty and juicy burgers. Show them who's BBQ Boss!
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Tiger Prawns Brochettes in Ginger and Honey Marinade
Whether you make in the grill or a stovetop hot plate, grilled shrimp pinchos (brochettes) in ginger marinade are going to be a huge success at the dinner table.
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[Recipe + Video] Smoky Ribs with Spicy Rum BBQ Sauce
Do you love the taste of smoked fall-off-the-bone ribs? Now you can make these smoky ribs with spicy rum BBQ Sauce at home and be merry.
BBQ Pork Chops with Green Mango Salsa
These glazed grilled pork chops with green mango salsa prove how versatile mango is. You’ll love the sweet and savory salsa, and the lovely texture of the green mango.
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Grilled Shrimp and Mango Salad Recipe + Video
Grilled shrimp with unripe mangos are the new taste of summer! You’ll love this simple salad that will brighten your BBQ day.
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Easy Jerk Chicken Recipe + Video (Air Fryer, Oven or Grill)
This quick and easy Jamaican jerk chicken recipe is a friendly version of the famous Jamaican chicken. Let me show you how to enjoy this spicy, tasty dish.
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BBQ sauces and garnish
What's a BBQ without awesome sauces, dips, and garnishes? Check out these amazing choices to please everyone.
[Recipe + Video] Wasakaka (Dominican Garlic Sauce)
Wasakaka is a flavorful Dominican garlicky sauce that will greatly improve the flavor of any dish it is drizzle on.
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[Recipe + Video] Homemade BBQ Spicy Guava Sauce
Looking for a flavorful, amazing, homemade BBQ sauce? This BBQ guava sauce will be taking your parrillada to the next level. Even better, it’s quick and easy to make.
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[Recipe + Video] Vegan Avocado Mayo
Vegan Mayo? Why yes, this eggless mayo made from avocado is easy to make and so very tasty that it’ll win over even the fiercest meat lover.
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Best Rum Bbq Sauce Recipe
Bring your BBQ meats to a whole new level of tastiness with this sweet and spicy rum BBQ sauce. You’ll love the tropical, Caribbean goodness of your new parrillada favorite.
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[Recipe + Video] Dominican Sautéed Red Onions with Vinegar
This is one of the best known and most representative recipes of the Dominican cuisine. It could probably be called Dominicans' official breakfast dish. A must-try for those sampling our cuisine. Learn how to make it with this simple step by step recipe.
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Cookout salads
You can't have a cookout without salads, here are some perfect options for a get-together on the patio, at the beach, or in the park.
Ensalada Rusa or Mixta [Recipe + Video] Potato Salad 2 Ways
Learn how to make ensalada rusa, our favorite potato salad. We show you 2 ways to make ensalada rusa, or ensalada mixta as it's call in the Dominican Republic.
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[Recipe + Video] Rice and Pineapple Salad
Leftover rice can be reused in this spectacularly colorful salad that is just perfect for summer meals, cookouts, and BBQ days.
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[Recipe + Video] Tipili Recipe (Bulgur Salad)
Tipili Recipe (Bulgur Salad): is the local variation of the world-famous Tabouleh, the so-called 'Lebanon's national salad' brought here by Middle Eastern immigrants over a century ago.
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Ensalada de Coditos [Recipe + Video] Elbow Pasta Salad
Ensalada de Coditos (Pasta Salad) is easy to prepare, and everybody's favorite. This delicious dish is a perfect choice for BBQ or Christmas dinner.
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Easy Cabbage and Carrot Slaw [Recipe + Video] Cabbage Salad
This tasty cabbage and carrot slaw is a popular salad in "plato del dia" eateries is also easy to make at home and has few ingredients.
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[Recipe + Video] Easy Potato and Chicken Salad
This easy potato and chicken salad is colorful, filling, easy to make, and doesn't make you hot. What else can you ask from a summer dish?
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Watermelon Summer Salad Recipe
Delicious, filling and refreshing, perfect with your summer meals and BBQs. I love the gentle sweetness of this amazing summer watermelon salad.
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Starfruit or Carambola and Serrano Ham Salad
Carambola is possibly the world's most beautiful fruit, combine with strong-flavored Serrano ham and vegetables for an unusual but spectacular salad.
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[Recipe + Video] Vegan Pasta and Avocado Salad
This awesome, creamy Pasta and Avocado Salad is a classic reinvented, with all the flavor of avocado to make it a lot lighter.
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[Recipe + Video] Lighter Creamy Potato Salad with No Mayo
A great substitute for our traditional, stodgier potato salad, this one is lighter and much healthier all around. It’s very creamy even if it doesn’t have mayo.
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Cookout side dishes
You can't serve the main course alone, a good side dish puts the finishing touch to a good cookout. Choose your favorite, or explore other options in the link below the list.
[Recipe + Video] Yuca Encebollada (Boiled Cassava with Onion)
Learn how to make Yuca hervida encebollada, one of our simplest and most popular side dishes. It's also easy to make and can be served as part of every meal.
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Moro de Guandules [Recipe + Video] Rice with Pigeon Peas
Moro de guandules con/sin coco (rice, pigeon peas, and coconut) is an amazing dish that we love on special occasions or any day of the week.
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Yuca al Mojo de Ajo [Recipe + Video] Cassava with Garlic Sauce
Learn how to make this yuca hervida con mojo de ajo, a dish that combines the delicate taste of yuca, with a strongly flavored sauce that makes a party of flavor in your mouth.
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Guineítos, Guineo en Escabeche [Recipe + Video] Savory Bananas
Guineítos or guineos en escabeche (savory green bananas) is the perfect side dish to any meat, very simple to make, and a favorite at roadside eateries.
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Stewed Cabbage [Recipe + Video] Repollo Guisado
Stewed cabbage or repollo guisado is a tasty combination of cabbage and vegetables that is very tasty despite being light and healthy.
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Crispy Air Frier or Oven-Fried Potato Wedges
Much better than deep-fried, these Air Fryer or Oven-Fried Potatoes are lighter, and, in my opinion, much better. They go great with roasts.
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Potatoes with Parsley and Paprika Sauce Recipe
This rich and creamy dish of Potatoes with Parsley and Paprika Sauce is the perfect side dish to serve with grilled meat or fish.
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Cepa de Apio and Yuca Mash (Arracacha and Cassava Puree)
Combine two of Dominicans' favorite roots in a creamy, luscious, tasty Cepa de Apio and Yuca Mash (Arracacha and Cassava Puree) to die for.
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[Recipe + Video] Sautéed Red Cabbage Sweet and Sour Slaw
I love cabbage, especially cooked. This easy recipe for sautéed red cabbage sweet and sour slaw is one of my favorite ways to serve this colorful vegetable.
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See more sides recipes ➜
Cookout appetizers
While the cookout is ready, a delicious picadera is perfect to entertain your guests and keep the conversation going. Choose your favorite, or explore other options at the link below the list.
Yuca Fries or Cassava Fries [Recipe + Video] Yuca Frita
Yuca fries or yuca frita are salt-sprinkled, deep-fried cassava sticks that can be served with dips as an appetizer or accompany the main dish. Learn how to make fried yuca.
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[Recipe + Video] Batata Frita (Sweet Potato Fries)
Batata frita (Sweet Potato Fries) is a very simple food that can either be served as an appetizer or as a side dish. It's quick and easy to make.
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Tostones [Recipe + Video] Flattened Fried Plantains
Tostones (Dominican Twice-Fried Plantains): without a doubt, one of our favorite side dishes. With a very crispy texture, is vastly preferred to French fries.
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[Recipe + Video] Casabe (Cassava Bread)
Casabe Recipe (Cassava Bread): very rich in fiber, no cholesterol, no sodium, no fat, and only a moderate carbohydrate content. Try this ancient wonder food
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Plantains in Air Fryer Recipe [+ Video] or Oven Tostones
Can we make tostones without frying? We sure do! These crispy, easy-to-make tostones are made with the air fryer, or an oven if that's what you have.
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Cucumber sandwiches appetizers
If you want to learn how to make creamy and tasty sandwiches, you can't miss this recipe, and you're sure to get them just as nice. It's time to welcome your friends!
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[Recipe + Video] Vegan Avocado Mayo
Vegan Mayo? Why yes, this eggless mayo made from avocado is easy to make and so very tasty that it’ll win over even the fiercest meat lover.
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[Recipe + Video] Creamy Avocado Dip with Sour Cream for Empanadas
Avocados are fickle fruits, difficult to estimate when they will be ready. With this rich, creamy avocado dip you can use avocados when they are overripe.
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Mayo-Ketchup Pink Sauce [Recipe + Video] Salsa Rosada
This pink sauce or mayo ketchup is perfect for simple, quick, creamy, and versatile snacking. It can also be served as a salad dressing or shrimp dip.
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Vegan cookout recipes
For those of you who don't eat meat, we haven't forgotten, check out these tasty recipes. Many of the recipes in the other lists are also vegan, so you can see if you like them. Pick your favorite, or explore other options at the link below the list.
Grilled Eggplant Vegan Sandwich Recipe
Not eating meat doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy amazing sandwiches, as proof I bring you this lovely grilled eggplant vegan sandwich.
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Vegan Lentil and Pumpkin Dip
Strong, meaty tastes, you can indulge in this light Vegan Lentil and Pumpkin Dip without guilt. Creamy and smooth, dip your favorite chips in it.
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Cookout drinks
Drinks are an important part of the cookout, and here are some recommended options, but also explore other options in the link below the list.
[Recipe + Video] Piña Colada (Rum, Pineapple and Coconut Cocktail)
Learn how to make piña colada, and enjoy the marvelous flavor of this Puerto Rican rum, pineapple, and coconut cocktail that tastes like a weekend day in sunny San Juan.
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Homemade Ponche or Coctel de Frutas (Fruit Punch)
Fruit punch is a classic of Dominican children's birthdays. Here we present you a reinvented version, as well as an option to serve to grownups.
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[Recipe + Video] Batida de Mango (Passionfruit and Mango Smoothie)
Summer is coming! I bring you the newest weapon in my arsenal of heat-busting drinks for the season, this mango and passionfruit smoothie is my family's new obsession.
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Sparkling Pomegranate and Watermelon Limeade Recipe
Refreshing, exciting, flavorful, Sparkling Pomegranate and Watermelon Limeade is the perfect summer drink for kids and grownups alike.
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Pineapple Mocktail
Whether you leave it as is, or add a touch of spirits, it's a drink that puts summer in its rightful place.
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Cookout desserts
A parrillada will only be unforgettable if it ends with a delicious dessert, and here are some perfect for summer, refreshing, and easy to prepare. Choose your favorite, or explore other options in the link below the list.
[Recipe + Video] Easy No-Bake Lime and Mango Cheesecake
Sweeten your summer with this chilled No-Bake Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Recipe!
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[Recipe + Video] No-Bake Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Recipe
Sweeten your summer with this chilled No-Bake Dulce de Leche Cheesecake recipe! It’s easy to make, and requires no cooking!
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Dulce de Leche Cortada [Recipe + Video] Curdled Milk Fudge
Dulce de Leche Cortada Recipe (Curdled Milk Fudge) is a delicious dessert with a touch of sour that we all love.
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I hope you liked this selection of my favorite cookout recipes. Plan ahead and it will be a party to remember.
