Arepas Cabimeras Recipe: Venezuelan Street Food Classic 2026

Arepas cabimeras are one of Venezuela's most beloved street foods, and for good reason. A thick, golden arepa gets split into bite-sized pieces, then buried under a mountain of creamy coleslaw, tender shredded beef, ham, hard-boiled egg, ketchup, mayonnaise and a generous snowfall of grated cheese.

What makes these arepas special is the double cooking method: each one is first toasted on a griddle, then fried until crisp and deep golden. That gives you a shell that crackles at the edges while staying soft and steamy inside, perfect for soaking up every layer of topping.

These are big, bold, knife-and-fork arepas meant to be eaten as a full meal. This recipe makes two generous portions, and every component comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients for Arepas Cabimeras

Makes 2 generous individual servings.

• 140 g precooked yellow corn flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 180 g water
• 300 g sunflower oil
• 150 g cabbage
• 100 g carrot
• 60 g plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 2 medium eggs
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• 300 g shredded beef
• 2 slices cooked ham
• Grated cheese

How to Make Arepas Cabimeras Step by Step

1. Make the arepa dough

The first thing we are going to do is prepare the arepa dough. In a large bowl, mix 140 g of precooked yellow corn flour, 1 pinch of salt and 180 g of water. Knead until all the ingredients are perfectly combined and you have a smooth, homogeneous ball of dough. Let the arepa dough rest for 10 minutes.

2. Shape the arepas

Next, we are going to shape the arepas. Take portions of dough weighing between 150 and 160 g and roll each one into a ball. Then press the ball flat with your hands until you have a disc of dough about half a centimeter thick.

3. Cook the arepas on the griddle

Once all the arepas are formed, it is time to cook them. First we will cook them on a griddle: place a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and grease it with a little sunflower oil. When the pan is good and hot, place the arepa in it and cook for about 4 minutes per side.

4. Fry the arepas

Then we are going to fry the arepas. Place a pan with 300 g of sunflower oil over medium-high heat, and when the oil is very hot, fry the arepas for about 1 minute per side until they turn golden. Lift the arepas out of the pan, draining off the oil well, and set them on paper towels.

5. Prepare the coleslaw

Now we are going to prepare the coleslaw. In a bowl, combine 150 g of cabbage cut into julienne strips and 100 g of grated carrot, then add 60 g of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of mustard, salt and ground black pepper, and mix well.

6. Boil and slice the eggs

We will also boil 2 medium eggs. Place a small pot of water over high heat, and when the water comes to a boil, add salt and the eggs. Boil the eggs for about 12 minutes, then remove them from the pot and let them cool. Once cold, slice them.

7. Start assembling with mayo and ketchup

At this point we can start assembling the arepas cabimeras. Place the fried arepa on the base of a plate, cut into bite-sized squares, and then add a little mayonnaise and ketchup on top to taste.

8. Add the coleslaw

Then spoon the coleslaw over the arepa, covering it generously so every bite gets some of that crunchy, creamy salad.

9. Add the beef, ham and egg

On top of the coleslaw, place 300 g of shredded beef divided between the 2 arepas, along with 2 slices of cooked ham cut into strips, and then lay the sliced hard-boiled egg on top.

10. Finish with more sauces and cheese

Finally, add more mayonnaise and ketchup and finish by putting a good amount of grated cheese on top to taste. Serve the arepas cabimeras immediately.

Tips for the Best Arepas Cabimeras

Make them bigger than usual

For this recipe we make arepas larger than the classic size: if a standard arepa uses about 90 g of dough, here we use between 150 and 160 g. That extra thickness gives you a sturdier base that can hold all the toppings without falling apart.

Griddle first, then fry

One of the defining features of these arepas is that they are first cooked on a griddle and then, once toasted, fried in plenty of oil. Skipping either step changes the texture, so give each arepa its full 4 minutes per side on the griddle and about 1 minute per side in the hot oil.

Serve right away

These arepas are meant to be eaten the moment they are assembled, while the arepa is still warm and crisp and the cheese is beginning to melt. Each portion is designed as an individual serving, though you could also share one as a starter between two people.

30 Home-Cooked Recipes I Keep Coming Back To

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything — cozy comfort plates, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luxurious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only something fruity and soothing will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

Tapas and Mediterranean flavors are a constant craving, so I switch between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion begs for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is what I serve.

Come lunch or dinnertime, these are the dishes I hand out to friends most often: a soul-warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. For something more substantial, out comes this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make an effortless appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks alongside a full menu, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and flavor that really pops.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over — whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread I'm putting together for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a favorite of mine when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture pays off, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and unfussy sounds right, I tend to go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for cozier, heartier fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine — among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, golden Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture while saving time. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely gratifying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado