From the aromatic spices of Pepian, a hardy meat stew, to the irresistible crunch of tostadas, each dish reveals a story of the country’s diverse history. 

Let’s explore the most popular foods from Guatemala that make this country a gastronomic paradise!

Staple Foods From Guatemala

In Guatemalan cuisine, several staple foods form the foundation of many meals and foods from Guatemala.

Here are five of them:

1. Rice (Arroz): Rice is a typical side dish, often cooked with vegetables or mixed with beans. It’s a universal, filling staple that pairs well with many Guatemalan dishes.
2. Tortillas: Made from corn, tortillas are a daily staple, often accompanying every meal. They are an essential part of the diet and serve as a base for numerous dishes.
3. Avocado (Aguacate): Avocado is a popular addition to meals, used in spreads, salads, dips for nachos, and as a garnish. Its creamy texture and nutritional value are unmatched.
4. Cheese (Queso): Fresh cheeses, like queso fresco, are used in different dishes and snacks. Queso adds a rich, creamy element to Guatemalan food.
5. Beans (Frijoles): Black beans, often served refried or in soups, are a primary protein source in Guatemala. They’re inexpensive, nourishing, and complete many traditional dishes.

These staple foods are nutritious and versatile, forming the basis of numerous tasty foods in Guatemala.

21 Most Popular Foods from Guatemala

1) Tostadas

A tostada is a fried or baked corn tortilla topped with various ingredients. Standard toppings include refried beans, avocado, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cheese, onions, and fresh coriander.

This combination of fresh ingredients creates a satisfying mix of textures and flavours.

2) Pepian de Pollo

One of the oldest and most traditional foods in Guatemala, this spicy stew showcases the fusion of Spanish and Mayan culinary influences. It consists of chicken cooked in a thick, tangy sauce from roasted seeds, tomatoes, and capsicums. 

Chicken is the most common meat in this dish but can also be prepared with beef or pork.

Traditionally, it is served with rice and tortillas.

3) Pulique 

Pulique is a Guatemalan stew that is especially popular among Indigenous communities. It is a thick, tasty dish made primarily with chicken and simmered in a rich, fragrant broth. 

The broth is delicious, typically made from a blend of tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, garlic, and spices, including coriander and achiote, which gives it a distinctive red colour.

4) Tamales

Tamales are a versatile dish made from masa (corn dough). They are filled with various ingredients and wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks before being steamed. 

The fillings can include meats like chicken or pork, vegetables, or sweet ingredients like fruits and chocolate.

The secret is in the masa, which is often flavoured with sauces or broth to enhance the flavour. These delicious food packages are a staple in Guatemalan cuisine and the perfect food to take on a journey of several hours.

5) Kak’ik

Kak’ik is a traditional Guatemalan turkey soup deeply rooted in Mayan culture. 

This vibrant dish features turkey cooked in a rich, red broth made from tomatoes, tomatillos, and a blend of spices, including achiote, coriander, and chillis.

Kak’ik is served with rice, corn tortillas, and sometimes tamales. 

6) Garnachas

Garnachas are mini corn tortillas topped with ground beef, tomato sauce, cabbage, and cheese. 

They’re a popular street food with a pleasing crunch—don’t miss them! Affordable, tasty and filling!

7) Hilachas

Hilachas is a popular food in Guatemala. This stew features shredded beef simmered with tender potatoes in a mildly spiced tomato sauce. 

The name of this famous Guatemalan dish translates to “threads” in English. The threads describe the appearance of the beef shredded into thin strips.

Holding roots in colonial Spain, hilachas is similar to ropa vieja, a popular dish in Cuban cuisine.

The sauce typically includes tomatoes, tomatillos, capsicums, onions, garlic, and spices, giving it a tangy flavour. 

Hilachas is often served with corn tortillas and rice, a staple dish in Guatemalan cuisine.

8) Empanadas

Empanadas, a beloved Guatemalan food, are crispy, buttery pastries ideal for a quick lunch. Find them filled with savoury meats or vegetarian ingredients such as cheese or vegetables.

These delicious pastries are affordable and the perfect snack food for long bus journeys and travel days.

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9) Pupusas

In Guatemala, a pupusa is a thick corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, refried beans, chicharrón, or a combination of these fillings. 

Pupusas are typically cooked on a grill until the exterior is crispy and golden, while the interior remains soft and gooey. 

These are the ultimate street food snacks, often served with a tangy, fermented cabbage slaw and a tomato-based salsa.

10) Chiles Rellenos

Capsicums stuffed with a savoury combination of meat, vegetables, and sometimes cheese, then battered and fried to perfection.

Usually eaten with rice and beans on the side, this is one of the most comforting foods from Guatemala.

Chiles rellenos are a popular dish in Mexico, too! They are one of my 20 best foods to try in Oaxaca!

11) Rellenitos

Rellenitos are a popular dessert in Guatemala, made from sweet plantains. 

The plantains are boiled and mashed to form a dough, then filled with a mixture of refried black beans and sometimes chocolate. It works, believe me!

The filled plantain dough is shaped into small ovals or balls and fried until golden brown. The result is a delicious treat with a crispy exterior and a sweet, creamy filling. Yum!

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12) Desayuno tradicional

Desayuno tradicional is a hearty breakfast often featuring scrambled or fried eggs, refried black beans, fried sweet plantains, fresh cheese, crema (similar to sour cream), and tortillas or bread. 

It often includes avocado slices and sometimes chorizo, plus some hot salsas to add. A cup of Guatemalan coffee or hot chocolate usually accompanies this traditional meal.

13) Pache

In Guatemalan cuisine, pache is a tamale made primarily from mashed potatoes mixed with bread and a tomato-based, spiced sauce. 

Paches are filled with different savoury ingredients, such as pieces of pork or chicken, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed until fully cooked. 

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14) Caldo de Res

Caldo de res is a hearty, satisfying beef soup in Guatemalan cuisine. It is prepared with pieces of beef, typically on the bone, and various vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, corn on the cob, and cabbage.

The broth is rich and flavoursome, seasoned with garlic, onions, and coriander. 

It is one of my favourite foods from Guatemala, typically served with rice and warm tortillas on the side.

15) Pan de camote

Many sweet pastries and breads are readily available in Guatemala and other Central American countries. 

In Guatemala, pan de camote is a sweet bread made from sweet potatoes, flour, sugar, butter, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. 

The dough is shaped into rolls and baked until golden brown. This slightly sweet, pillowy soft bread is popular as a snack or dessert, particularly during festive occasions.

16) Enchiladas

Guatemalan enchiladas are delicious, and it’s no surprise that they are one of the most beloved Guatemalan foods.

Take a mixture of crunchy fresh vegetables such as beets, eggs, capsicums, and lettuce, add some ground meat and a zingy tomato salsa, then pile it high onto a crunchy toasted or fried corn tortilla, and you’ve got a delicious Guatemalan enchilada.

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17) Jocon de pollo

Jocón de pollo, a traditional Guatemalan dish from Huehuetenango, is a chicken stew in a green sauce made with coriander and tomatillos, thickened with sesame and pumpkin seeds, and chopped corn tortillas. 

Influenced heavily by the Mayan culture, this popular dish among the Mayan population features chicken pieces cooked with onions, chillis, and tortillas. 

It’s typical to enjoy this dish with rice and avocado slices.

18) Revolcado

It may not be a dish for everyone, but revolcado is much loved by locals and jam-packed with flavour. 

Revolcado is a dish made from a pig’s head, often including the tongue, snout, and other parts. The meat is slow-cooked in a rich, thick tomato-based sauce seasoned with garlic, onions, and chillis. 

This dish is typically served with rice and corn tortillas, making it a hardy and satisfying meal.

19) Platanos en Mole

Fried plantains are served in a rich, chocolate-based mole sauce, flawlessly blending sweet and savoury elements.

This indulgent sweet hits the spot every time! I like to enjoy this dish with a strong Guatemalan coffee.

20) Atol de Elote

Atol de elote is a warm, creamy beverage made from fresh corn, milk, and sugar.

It doesn’t sound like it would work, but it’s a comforting drink, perfect for cool evenings.

Whenever you travel to Central American countries, I recommend you try as many beverages as possible, particularly if you explore Mexico. These most popular Mexican drinks should be on your list!

21) Chuchitos

In Guatemala, chuchitos are a type of traditional tamale. They are made from corn dough (masa) filled with meats, typically chicken or pork, and a tomato-based sauce.

Unlike other tamales, chuchitos are wrapped in dried corn husks rather than banana leaves. After being filled and wrapped, they are steamed until cooked through.

Chuchitos are smaller and firmer than other tamales and are often enjoyed as a snack or part of a meal. They are commonly served with a side of tomato sauce and a sprinkle of fresh cheese.

We’ve reached the end of our list of Guatemala’s most popular foods! Have you tried Guatemalan cuisine? What is your favourite food in Guatemala? Let us know in the comments below.

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Plan to travel to South America after Guatemala? Don’t miss these 15 best places to visit in South America.

More Travel Tips

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