Mofongo-Style Plantain Mash with Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

Creamy mashed plantains infused with garlic and herbs, topped with sweet caramelized onions for a comforting vegetarian side. This Puerto Rican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ripe plantains, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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

• 2, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick ripe plantains
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2, thinly sliced onion
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 sliced onion and cook for 10 minutes until golden and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
2. Step 2: In a separate pot, cover plantain slices with water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp chopped thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper to the pot. Mash plantains with a potato masher until smooth, adding 1 tbsp butter until creamy. Stir in caramelized onions and cook for 2 more minutes until heated through.