0 dishes to discover

Food of Guatemala

Guatemala is a country in Central America with a rich and diverse food culture. Many of its meals feature corn, beans, and chili peppers. Guatemalan food is a delicious blend of Indigenous and Spanish influences, offering a variety of flavors that can be spicy, sweet, or savory.

Featured Dishes

🍽️

Kak'ik

A traditional turkey soup with Mayan spices and a red, flavorful broth.

National DishFestive

🍽️

Rellenitos

A sweet treat made from plantains stuffed with black beans and chocolate.

Sweet Treat

🍽️

Jocón

A flavorful chicken stew with a green sauce made from cilantro, green tomatoes, and chilies.

Traditional

Meal Culture

In Guatemala, meals are very important and often enjoyed with family and friends. People love sharing food and spending time together. Many meals include tasty corn tortillas that are freshly made.

Eating Etiquette

It's polite to wait for everyone to be served before eating. You might use a fork and knife, but it's also okay to use your hands for some foods like tortillas.

When People Eat It

Kak'ik

Often eaten: Dinner Meal context needed.Needs review

Known for: Alta Verapaz

National DishFestive

Rellenitos

Often eaten: Dessert Meal context needed.Needs review

Known for: [REVIEW] Region detail needed.Needs review

Sweet Treat

Jocón

Often eaten: Lunch Meal context needed.Needs review

Known for: [REVIEW] Region detail needed.Needs review

Traditional

Make It Yourself

Kak'ik

Ingredients

🦃 Turkey🍅 Tomatoes🌶️ Peppers

How to Make It

1Boil turkey pieces until tender.
2Blend tomatoes, peppers, and spices, add to the pot.
3Simmer until soup thickens and flavors blend. Serve hot.

Rellenitos

Ingredients

🍌 Plantains🫘 Black Beans🍫 Chocolate

How to Make It

1Mash cooked plantains until smooth.
2Mix black beans with chocolate and make small balls.
3Wrap plantain dough around filling and fry until golden.

Jocón

Ingredients

🍗 Chicken🌿 Cilantro🍅 Green Tomatoes🌶️ Chilies

How to Make It

1Cook chicken until tender.
2Blend cilantro, green tomatoes, and chilies into a sauce.
3Combine sauce with chicken and simmer until flavors develop.

Vocabulary

Tortilla: A thin, round bread made from corn or wheat.

Tamale: A dish made of masa, or dough, filled with meats or sweets and wrapped in leaves.

Pepián: A spicy stew with a mix of flavors from tomatoes, peppers, and meats.

Masa: Dough made from corn that is used in many traditional dishes.

Frijoles: The Spanish word for beans, a staple in many Guatemalan meals.

If you love tacos and burritos, you'll enjoy exploring how Guatemalan dishes like pepián and kak'ik bring new flavors from the same family of ingredients!

Explore more topics in Guatemala

🐾 Animals 🏛️ Heritage 🎉 Traditions 💬 Language 🌿 Nature

Compare with nearby countries

Related-country comparisons will expand as regional coverage grows.

Earn Your Stamp →