Mofongo-Inspired Mashed Plantains with Garlic and Pork Cracklings

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A traditional Puerto Rican side dish of fried green plantains mashed with roasted garlic and crunchy pork cracklings for rich texture and flavor. This Caribbean-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs pork cracklings (chicharrón), chopped, garlic cloves, roasted and mashed, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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

• 3 medium green plantains, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup pork cracklings (chicharrón), chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, roasted and mashed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 3 medium peeled and cut green plantains and cook for 15-18 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well.
2. Step 2: While the plantains cook, roast 6 garlic cloves wrapped in foil at 375°F for 20 minutes until soft, then mash into a paste.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, mash the cooked plantains with 6 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth but slightly chunky.
4. Step 4: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped pork cracklings and the mashed roasted garlic cloves, mixing well to combine.
5. Step 5: Serve the mofongo warm as a hearty side dish with your choice of protein or sauce.