If there is one flavor that instantly reminds us of growing up in a Cuban family, it’s guava.
Guava shows up everywhere—from the pastelitos at the bakery to the guava and cream cheese we ate with crackers for merienda. It’s sweet, tropical and just a little tart, which also makes it much more versatile than people realize.
While we love guava in desserts, it doesn’t have to stay there. We use fresh guava in salsa, turn guava marmalade into BBQ sauce, pair it with savory meats and even mix it into cocktails.
Whether you have fresh guavas sitting on your counter, a package of guava paste in the pantry or a jar of guava marmalade you’re not sure what to do with, these are some of our favorite guava recipes to try.
What Is Guava?
Guava is a tropical fruit commonly used throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Depending on the variety, the inside can range from white to a beautiful deep pink.
Fresh guava has a lightly sweet tropical flavor and a texture that can be somewhat similar to a pear. Once cooked with sugar, its flavor becomes more concentrated, which is why guava works so well in jams, pastries and desserts.
In Cuban cooking, guayaba is a familiar flavor—especially paired with cream cheese.
Fresh Guava vs. Guava Paste vs. Guava Marmalade
Before you start cooking, it helps to know which kind of guava your recipe calls for.
Fresh guava is the actual fruit. We love using it when we want freshness and texture, like in our Fresh Guava Salsa.
Guava marmalade or jam is softer and spreadable. You can buy it or make our homemade version from fresh pink guavas. Our recipe cooks the fruit with sugar, lime and a pinch of salt.
Guava paste is much thicker and firmer. It’s the guava you can slice and is commonly used in pastries and desserts.
They aren’t always interchangeable, so check the individual recipe before substituting one for another.
Fresh Guava Recipes
This is for anyone who has found fresh guava and is wondering what they can do with it.
Fresh Guava Salsa
Fresh guava gets a savory spin in this bright, tropical salsa. It’s slightly sweet, tangy and full of flavor. The perfect topping for grilled fish, chicken or pork, or simply served with chips. If you have ripe guavas sitting on your counter, this is one of the easiest ways to put them to work.
Guava Marmalade (Mermelada de Guayaba)
Turn fresh pink guavas into homemade mermelada de guayaba with sugar and lime. Spread it on toast or Cuban crackers with cream cheese, spoon it over desserts or use it as the starting point for some of our other guava recipes. This is one of those recipes that makes the most of guava season.
Guava Desserts & Sweet Recipes
While we love using fresh guava for recipes like salsa and marmalade, we all know guava really shines in dessert. This is where guava paste takes center stage, bringing its sweet, tropical flavor to everything from cakes and pastries to cookies and more. Paired with cream cheese, tucked into flaky pastry or baked into a cake, guava has a way of making everything better.
We really do think guava is a gift from above!
Guava Cream Cheese Crinkle Cake
Imagine if a guava pastelito and a creamy bread pudding had a baby. This Guava Cream Cheese Crinkle Cake layers crispy, buttery phyllo with a creamy custard, cream cheese and sweet guava. You get crunchy golden edges, a soft custardy center and that classic guava-and-cheese combination in every bite.
Strawberry Guava Jam
Sweet strawberries and tropical guava come together in this easy homemade jam. Spread it on toast, pair it with cheese and crackers or keep a jar in the refrigerator to add a little guava flavor to breakfast and desserts.
No-Bake Cheesecake with Strawberry Guava Jam
Creamy cheesecake and guava were meant for each other. This easy no-bake cheesecake is topped with our homemade Strawberry Guava Jam, giving you a combination that’s creamy, tangy, fruity and sweet without ever turning on the oven.
Savory Guava Recipes
If you came here for guava desserts, this is where things get interesting. Guava’s natural sweetness also works beautifully in savory recipes, especially when it’s balanced with tangy, smoky and spicy flavors. Our Guava BBQ Sauce is the perfect example—and once you make it, you’ll want to put it on everything.
Guava BBQ Sauce
Guava isn’t just for sweets. Our Guava BBQ Sauce transforms guava marmalade into a sweet and savory sauce with tomato, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, soy sauce and honey. Make a batch and keep it handy for chicken, ribs and anything else that could use a tropical spin.
Oven Roasted Guava Ribs
These ribs are seasoned with achiote and brown sugar, roasted low and slow with beer and finished with our homemade Guava BBQ Sauce. The result is tender, sticky ribs with the perfect balance of savory, smoky and sweet.
Guava BBQ Chicken Thighs
For an easier weeknight way to use Guava BBQ Sauce, try these chicken thighs. Boneless chicken thighs are cooked until golden and brushed with the sauce toward the end, giving it just enough time to become sticky and caramelized without burning.
Holiday Guava Recipes
As we have stated, we are guava fanatics. Naturally it would make sense that we would find a way to sneak guava into our holidays! We are talking about a delicious sauce for the holiday table, desserts, and the perfect appetizer.
Cranberry Guava Sauce
Give traditional cranberry sauce a tropical twist with guava. The sweetness of guava balances the tart cranberries and brings a little Cuban flavor to the holiday table. Serve it alongside turkey, pork or your favorite holiday roast. This is one of our most popular recipes and you need to find out why!
Guava Coconut Cookies
These guava-filled cookies bring together two of our favorite tropical flavors: guava and coconut. The cookies are filled with sweet guava and coated in shredded coconut for an easy dessert that’s just as good with an afternoon cafecito as it is on a holiday cookie tray.
Cranberry Guava Baked Brie
Turn that Cranberry Guava Sauce into an easy holiday appetizer. Creamy baked Brie topped with the sweet-tart cranberry and guava mixture is simple enough to throw together but beautiful enough for a holiday spread. Serve it warm with crackers or toasted bread.
Guava Drinks & Cocktails
Ending with drinks feels right. We’ve gone from fresh fruit → dessert → dinner → holidays, and now we’re basically saying okay, let’s pour ourselves something extra delicious courtesy of GUAVA! 😂
Guava Strawberry Rosé Sangria
Guava, fresh strawberries and rosé come together in this refreshing tropical sangria. It’s colorful, fruity and easy to make by the pitcher, which makes it perfect for brunch, showers, summer parties or any time you’re entertaining a crowd.
Guava Moscow Mule
Give the classic Moscow Mule a tropical twist with guava. Guava pairs beautifully with spicy ginger beer, citrus and vodka for a refreshing cocktail that’s sweet, tart and a little spicy.
Whether you’re working with fresh guava, guava paste or guava marmalade, there are so many ways to bring this tropical fruit into the kitchen. Start with one of these 13 guava recipes or do what we do and always keep a little guava on hand for whatever you’re cooking next. Enjoy!
