Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo
A traditional Puerto Rican side dish featuring tender green plantains mashed with fresh garlic and olive oil, creating a smooth, savory accompaniment that elevates any main course. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium Green plantains, minced Garlic, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 medium Green plantains
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel 4 medium unripe green plantains and cut into 1-inch thick slices. Place in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes until tender, then drain and let cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mash the drained plantains with a potato masher until smooth. Add 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mash vigorously for 2 minutes until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Step 3: Transfer the mofongo to a serving dish and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium green plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Garlic Mashed Green Plantain Mofongo vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
