You don’t need a fancy kitchen to make great Cuban food.
Our abuelas certainly didn’t have drawers full of gadgets or the newest appliances. They had a few hardworking pots, a good knife, a cafetera that was always within reach and the tools they knew they could depend on.
That’s still how we like to cook.
Over the years, there are certain things we find ourselves reaching for again and again when making Cuban food. Some are traditional Cuban kitchen essentials we grew up seeing in our families’ kitchens, while others are modern conveniences that simply make getting dinner on the table easier.
We put together our favorite Cuban cooking tools in one place, including both splurge and budget-friendly options for some of the bigger purchases.
[Shop all of our Cuban Kitchen Essentials here.]
1. Caldero or Heavy-Bottomed Pot
If there is one pot that earns its keep in a Cuban kitchen, it’s a caldero.
A caldero is one of those hardworking pots that shows up again and again in Cuban cooking. Its wide shape and sturdy construction make it perfect for dishes like arroz con pollo, soups, beans and one-pot meals that need room to simmer and develop flavor.
Our pick: A Classic Caldero
2. Cafetera / Moka Pot
No list of Cuban kitchen essentials could possibly leave out the cafetera.
Whether you call it a moka pot or simply la cafetera, this little stovetop coffee maker is responsible for countless afternoon cafecitos, sobremesas and “just one quick coffee” visits that somehow last two hours.
If you want to make Cuban coffee at home, this is where you start.
Our pick: A Classic Cafetera
3. Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
Our grandmothers used traditional pressure cookers to get beans and tough cuts of meat tender in a fraction of the time. Today, we still love a pressure cooker, but we also admit that it kind of scares us. We live in fear that the pressure cooker will explode at any moment, So we appreciate the convenience and safety of an Instant Pot.
We use ours for everything from beans to Carne con Papas and Vaca Frita.
Is an Instant Pot traditional? No. Would Abuela have used one if somebody handed it to her? We have a feeling she would have figured it out pretty quickly.
Our pick: 4 qt Instant Pot in White
4. Tostonera
You can smash a plantain with the bottom of a glass. But we are sophisticated, aren’t we? Probably not but if you ever find yourself making a lot of tostones, it never hurts to have the right tool.
A tostonera is one of those inexpensive little Cuban kitchen tools that does exactly one job and does it well. Fry your plantain pieces once, smash them in the tostonera and fry them again until golden and crisp.
Our pick: Imusa Bamboo Tostonera
5. Citrus Press
Cuban cooking uses a lot of citrus. Lime, lemon and naranja agria find their way into marinades, mojo, seafood and plenty of other dishes. A sturdy citrus press makes quick work of all of it without seeds flying everywhere.
This isn’t a glamorous kitchen tool, but it’s one we use constantly.
Our pick: Alloy Citrus Press
6. Pilón / Mortar and Pestle
Before there were food processors, there was the pilón.
A mortar and pestle is perfect for crushing garlic, salt, herbs and spices and is especially useful when you’re making mojo. Crushing garlic instead of simply chopping it helps release all of that flavor—and Cuban food is never shy about garlic.
Neither are we.
Our pick: [SHOPMY LINK]
7. A Good Chef’s Knife
If you’re going to invest in one kitchen tool, a great chef’s knife is a good place to do it.
Cuban cooking involves plenty of chopping: onions, peppers, garlic, herbs, plantains and large cuts of meat. A comfortable, sharp 8-inch chef’s knife can handle almost all of it.
Our Splurge Picks
We are partial to our new Verano Knife chef’s knife. The sandalwood handle is so beautiful and fun to hold! You can’t go wrong with it. Use this link and enter ABUELASCOUNTER for 20% off
Why we like it: We love both knives because they have comfortable handles that are lightweight and feel nice in your hand. We do find that the blades are very sharp which makes chopping a little more effortless.
Our Budget Pick
Why we like it: We love this knife. It is lightweight, and very sharp. It makes chopping and slicing easy, and while it may not have the longevity of a more expensive knife- it still holds up to the test of time and a great knife to have in the kitchen.
You don’t need the most expensive knife in the kitchen. You need one that feels comfortable in your hand and that you’ll actually keep sharp.
8. Large Cutting Board
All that chopping needs a home! We prefer a large cutting board with enough room to prep onions, peppers and garlic without everything falling onto the counter. It’s also helpful when you’re working with larger cuts of meat.
If you’ve ever tried to chop an entire sofrito’s worth of vegetables on a tiny cutting board, you already understand. It makes things way more complicated than need be.
Our pick: Acacia Wood Large Cutting Board
9. Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can own, especially if you cook a lot of Cuban food or anything in general.
It’s perfect for dishes that need time to simmer and develop flavor. Think Ropa Vieja, Fricase de Pollo, soups, beans and stews.
This is also one of those categories where you can spend a little or a LOT. The good news? Both can make it work.
Our Splurge Pick
Caraway Dutch Oven use our code abuelascounter for 10% off your purchase!
Why it’s worth the splurge: There are some pieces that are worth investing in. Because there are some budget friendly options, we would suggest investing in other items first. However if you cook, a lot, then it’s just fun to have a beautiful high quality dutch oven like one from Le Creuset or Caraway. They are gorgeous and their heavy bottom helps keep the heat balanced.
Our Budget Pick
Why we like it: You honestly don’t miss a thing using this over the more expensive brands. They are high quality and beautiful. We highly recommend!
If you cook often and want something you’ll keep for decades, investing in a Dutch oven can make sense. But you absolutely do not need an expensive one to make delicious Cuban food.
10. Cast Iron Skillet
A good skillet is essential for getting the color and crust that make so many simple Cuban dishes delicious. We reach for ours when making Bistec de Palomilla, Pollo a la Plancha, Vaca Frita and anything else that benefits from a screaming-hot pan and a good sear.
Our Splurge Pick
Why it’s worth the splurge: We love this cast iron. It really is such great quality, and gets better and better everytime we use it.
Our Budget Pick
Why we like it: This is a great starter skillet. It is heavy enough to hold the heat, and gives great flavor.
Whatever you choose, look for something heavy enough to hold heat well and large enough that you aren’t crowding the pan.
11. Meat Mallet
Thin steaks and chicken are a Cuban kitchen staple, and a meat mallet makes getting them evenly thin much easier.
It’s particularly useful for dishes like Bistec Empanizado, where you want a thin, even piece of meat that cooks quickly and stays tender.
It’s cheap, simple and earns its spot in the drawer.
Our pick: Cute Meat Tenderizer
12. Blender or Food Processor
Sometimes Abuela did it by hand or with a grinder. But we are in modern times.
A blender or food processor makes quick work of sauces, marinades, sofrito and other prep. It isn’t necessary for every Cuban recipe, but when you need it, you’ll be very happy it’s there. We like this one because it’s versatile and can do the job of both the food processor and the blender.
Our pick: Ninja Power Food Processor
13. Rice Maker
Rice is serious business in a Cuban household. We love making traditional Cuban White Rice on the stovetop, but we also believe in making life easier when you can. A rice maker gives you consistent rice without having to watch the pot and on a busy weeknight, that’s worth a lot.
Our Splurge Pick (aesthetic)
Why it’s worth the splurge: The biggest return on investment here is how beautiful it looks on top of your counter. It’s a show piece. Please note the rice will not taste better. So it really comes down to how much you want to spend.
Our Budget Pick
Why we like it: It’s not as pretty to look at but it gets the job done in half the price!
If your family eats rice several times a week, this is one appliance that can absolutely earn its counter space.
14. Fine-Mesh Strainer or Colander
Not exciting but very necessary. We use strainers for rinsing rice and beans, draining ingredients and a hundred other little kitchen jobs.
Get one that’s sturdy, easy to clean and large enough for the amount of food you normally cook.
Our pick: Crate and Barrel Collander
15. Flanera / Flan Mold
We saved an important one for last.
Flan.
If flan is part of your family’s holidays, birthdays and Sunday dinners, a good flan mold makes the whole process easier. You want something that can handle the caramel, cook the custard evenly and—most importantly—help you get that beautiful flip when it’s time to serve.
And just like with some of the bigger pieces on this list, you can keep it simple or invest in something you’ll use for years.
Our Splurge Pick
Why it’s worth the splurge: It’s beautiful and we love the weight on it. It helps to get a good caramel coloring, and never sticks. This means we don’t have to fear the flip!
Our Budget Pick
Why we like it: This loaf pan will absolutely do the job. It’s pretty and simple, and will get a gorgeous caramel color just the same! Absolutely no need to splurge if you want to make a holiday flan!
If you’re just starting to make flan, the budget option will absolutely get the job done. But if you’re the person everyone expects to show up to the party carrying the flan, upgrading your mold might be worth it.
Either way, it’s what’s inside that really matters.
Do You Need All of These Tools to Cook Cuban Food?
Absolutely not. That’s probably the most important thing to remember when reading the list.
Cuban home cooking has never been about having the fanciest kitchen or the most expensive equipment. It’s about knowing how to grab flavor out of simple ingredients and feeding people generously.
Start with a good pot, a good knife and the tools that make sense for the dishes your family actually eats. Then build from there. Because at the end of the day, the best Cuban kitchen isn’t the one with the most equipment. It’s the one where something good is cooking.
[Shop our complete Cuban Kitchen Essentials collection here.]
