20 Gluten-Free Latin American Recipes on an Arepa
Corn is the thread running through Latin American cooking and the arepa itself, so these flavors slide right on. From Mexican carnitas and huevos rancheros to Cuban ropa vieja, Peruvian lomo saltado, Salvadoran curtido and Trinidadian channa aloo — all gluten-free, all built on a warm arepa where you'd otherwise reach for a tortilla or rice.
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The recipes
Chimichurri Steak Arepa Sandwich — Won't Fall Apart
Thin-sliced steak and bright Argentine chimichurri pressed between two warm gluten-free arepas. A bold, portable dinner ready in 15 minutes.
Queso Fresco Black Bean Arepa — Handheld Lunch, No Drip
Creamy queso fresco and cumin-seasoned black beans between two warm gluten-free arepas. A portable, protein-packed lunch ready in 5 minutes.
Roast Beef Chimichurri Arepa — Bold Packed Lunch
Sliced roast beef, bright chimichurri and provolone between two warm gluten-free arepas. A bold, protein-rich lunchbox sandwich in 8 minutes.
Queso Fresco Avocado Pico Arepa — Fresh 9-Minute Brunch
Sliced avocado, fresh pico de gallo and crumbled queso fresco on a warm gluten-free arepa. A bright, fresh brunch ready in 9 minutes.
Chicken Tinga Arepa Sandwich — Packable, No Drip
Smoky chipotle chicken tinga with cool avocado crema between two warm gluten-free arepas. A handheld meal that holds together for the road.
Aji Verde Eggs Arepa — Peruvian Gluten-Free Breakfast
Scrambled eggs and warm black beans under a bright Peruvian aji verde sauce on a gluten-free arepa. A punchy, protein-packed breakfast in 12 minutes.
Guacamole Cotija Arepa — Snack a Kid Can Make Alone
Chunky guacamole topped with salty cotija cheese on a warm gluten-free arepa. A five-minute, no-stove snack a 10-year-old can make alone.
Chimichurri Shrimp Arepa — Gluten-Free Dinner in 15
Quick-seared shrimp with bright chimichurri and charred corn on a warm gluten-free arepa. A fresh, summery dinner ready in 15 minutes.
Ropa Vieja Arepa — Gluten-Free Cuban-Style Dinner
Tender shredded beef braised with peppers, onions and olives on a warm gluten-free arepa. Cuban comfort food, weeknight fast.
Aji Amarillo Chicken Arepa — Gluten-Free Peruvian Dinner
Shredded chicken in a golden, gently spicy Peruvian aji amarillo sauce on a warm gluten-free arepa. Creamy heat, weeknight fast.
Chorizo Egg Cotija Arepa — Gluten-Free Protein Breakfast
Soft scrambled eggs, crumbled chorizo and salty cotija on a warm gluten-free arepa. A protein-packed breakfast ready in 12 minutes.
Cubano Arepa Sandwich — Pressed Lunch for the Car
Roast pork, ham, Swiss and pickle pressed between two warm gluten-free arepas. The Cuban sandwich, built to travel and reheat.
Seco de Pollo Arepa — Gluten-Free Ecuadorian Dinner
Chicken braised with cilantro, tomato and cumin on a warm gluten-free arepa. A South American Sunday dish, on a weeknight, in 20 minutes.
Moqueca Fish Arepa — Gluten-Free Brazilian Dinner
White fish poached in coconut milk with tomato, pepper and lime on a warm gluten-free arepa. Bright, rich, ready in 20 minutes.
Carnitas Torta Arepa — Pressed Lunch That Travels
Refried beans, tender carnitas and avocado pressed between two warm gluten-free arepas. A torta that won't fall apart, ready in 15 minutes.
Chilaquiles Eggs Arepa — Gluten-Free Mexican Breakfast
Saucy eggs in bright salsa roja with a cool drizzle of crema on a warm gluten-free arepa. The crispy arepa edges do the tortilla's job.
Cuban Picadillo Arepa — Gluten-Free Weeknight Dinner
Ground beef with olives, raisins and tomato on a warm gluten-free arepa. Salty-sweet Havana comfort food, weeknight-fast, in 18 minutes.
Machaca con Huevo Arepa — Gluten-Free Mexican Brunch
Tender shredded beef scrambled with eggs, onion and pepper on a warm gluten-free arepa. A hearty northern-Mexico breakfast, in 15 minutes.
Rajas con Crema Arepa — Gluten-Free Mexican Dinner
Roasted poblano strips and sweet corn in a light cream sauce with chicken on a warm gluten-free arepa. Mild, comforting, 20 minutes.
Huevos Rancheros Arepa — Gluten-Free Mexican Brunch
A crisp-edged fried egg over warm black beans and cooked salsa on a warm gluten-free arepa. The ranch breakfast, arepa-style.
Building a Latin-style arepa
Crisp the arepa edges a little so it stands up to saucy toppings. Layer in order: something creamy or starchy first (beans, crema, avocado), then the protein, then the fresh hits — pico, cilantro, onion, a squeeze of lime, queso fresco. Warm salsa beats cold salsa here.
More gluten-free arepa roundups
- 19 Gluten-Free Dinners Ready in 15 Minutes or Less
- 8 Gluten-Free Korean-Inspired Arepa Recipes
- 18 Gluten-Free Mediterranean Recipes on a Warm Arepa
Keep Your Freezer Stocked for Busy Days
Every recipe here starts with a Zavor & Co gluten-free arepa. We deliver them to your door so the base is always ready — heat from frozen in minutes and the meal is halfway done.
