Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash
A creamy, flavorful Puerto Rican side dish made with ripe plantains, garlic, and fresh herbs—vegan-friendly and irresistible. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs ripe plantains, vegetable 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
- 4 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks ripe plantains
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place plantain chunks in a pot, cover with water, and boil over medium-high heat for 12 minutes until very tender — drain well.
- Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant (do not brown).
- Step 3: Add drained plantains, parsley, cilantro, and salt to the skillet. Mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy, adding vegetable broth 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Step 4: Continue mashing for 3 minutes until mixture holds together when pressed and no lumps remain — it should feel like thick dough.
- Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle with olive oil before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash?
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 ripe plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash?
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 Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash 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 Vegetarian Mofongo with Herb Garlic Mash 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
