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Portuguese Food: 17 Must-Try Traditional Dishes of Portugal

Portuguese Food: 17 Must-Try Traditional Dishes of Portugal

Portugal, sharing terrestrial commonalities and customs with the Mediterranean and the countries of Northern Europe, offers the most serene beaches, delicious food and port wine.

This charming country also serves as the world’s top surf spot and even has its own genre of music. But of course, that’s not what we’re here for, we are of course here for the spectacular traditional Portuguese cuisine!

Most Popular Portuguese Dishes

Portuguese cuisine comprises a huge list of mouthwatering dishes and is famous around the world for its delicacies like freshly baked bread, red wine, chargrilled fish and cheeses.

As you would expect from a country with a lot of coastline, fish is a very common ingredient in Portuguese dishes. There are also a lot of similarities in cuisine with neighbors Spain and other Portuguese speaking countries such as Brazil.

So without further ado let’s take a look at the best that Portuguese cuisine has to offer.

Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde, an iconic traditional dish of Portugal, also known as kale soup or green soup, is highly popular among the locals and tourists alike. 

It is green in color and comprises a dark green cabbage, potatoes, sliced kale, chorizo sausage and collard greens. It is also fairly easy to make and takes just 1 hour to prepare.

Caldo Verde is also quite nutritious and contains healthy ingredients such as vegetables

Bacalhau à Brás

Bacalhau à Brás on a plate

Bacalhau à Brás is a dish consisting of salted cod, straw potatoes and eggs that are seasoned and stir-fried together to create a creamy meal. It is often garnished with olives and parsley for that signature Mediterranean flair. 

Arroz De Pato

Arroz De Pato

Arroz de pato is a dish made with rice and duck and aromatic herbs like garlic and bay leaf which truly represent the flavors of Portugal.

Made on special occasions, the traditional recipe also includes smoked pork. It is then baked and topped with orange slices. Although making this dish is time consuming, the final product is definitely worth the wait.  

Bifanas

Bifanas

Bifanas are traditional Portuguese sandwiches made with pork slices that are poached in a sauce of paprika and white wine. Usually served with Piri Piri and mustard sauce, they are one of the most famous snacks of Portugal.

Due to its popularity even McDonald’s created its own version, the McBifana. This sandwich is always accompanied by a nice cold beer. It’s a really juicy sandwich with lime juice and spices like bay leaves, paprika, salt and garlic.

They are truly enjoyed during the football season in Portugal making them one of the most loved dishes by the locals and tourists alike. 

Francesinha

Francesinha

The origin of this dish goes way back to the Peninsular war and it’s believed that the Napoleonic troops used to eat such toasts in which meat and cheese was added and now it’s a famous dish in Portugal by the name Francesinha.

This sandwich is made up of ham, Linguica and fresh sausages topped with fried egg.

Grilled Sardines

Grilled sardines

Grilled sardines are summertime’s most famous food in Portugal. In June a ceremony is held every year dedicated to Sardines.

On the Day of Saint Anthony which is on June 12th and 13th, smoky aroma of grilled sardines starts wafting through the air.

Every year almost 12 pounds of Sardines are consumed by each person. The peak season of Sardines is June and August so don’t forget to have this amazingly delicious fish if you visit Portugal during these months. 

Carne De Porco à Alentejana

Carne De Porco Alentejana

Carne De Porco à Alentejana is a combination of pork, clams and potatoes. It’s a really famous pork dish eaten widely all over Portugal.

White vinegar, bay leaves, olive oil, garlic etc. are also added in it to give it its characteristic flavor and aroma. 

Polvo

Polvo

Octopus is one of the most fished marine species in Portugal. Polvo features baked octopus and mashed or roasted potatoes.

Cooking octopus in Portugal is usually a sign of happiness and polvo is prepared as a celebratory dish on the return of loved ones from the fishing boats.

Cozido à Portuguesa

Cozido a Portuguesa

Cozido à Portuguesa is one of the national dishes of Portugal consisting of ingredients like boiled potatoes, carrots, cabbages, meat, pig’s feet and ears and sausages.

This dish is specially loved for its delicious combination of pork with vegetables.

Caracois (Snails)

Caracois (Snails)

Caracois is a dish prepared using snails. Due to extremely hot weather and humidity in summers, snail growth is promoted. So Portuguese flavor them with garlic, onions and olive oil to make a very delicious dish.

Piri Piri sauce and oregano are also used in a large amount to give them their characteristic flavor. Usually caracois is eaten as a late afternoon snack or also as an appetizer.

Feijoada

Feijoada

Feijoada derives its name from a Portuguese word Feijao which means beans. This stunning bean stew is prepared as a concoction of beans, pork and beef, served with white rice or bread.

Usually served during Portugal’s mild and rainy winters, it also comprises sausages, vegetables, cloves, paprika, bay leaves and garlic. Most people know the Brazilian version of this dish but it actually originated in Portugal. It takes at least 4 hours to get ready. But it’s for sure worth the wait.

Tripas A moda Do Porto

Mexican Tripas Tacos

Possibly the strangest food on this list is Tripas A moda Do Porto which are tacos made from the meat of a cow’s stomach (tripas).

Despite the fact that cow’s stomach may sound weird, tripe is actually an ingredient enjoyed throughout the world. These exact tacos are also enjoyed in Mexico

Espetada (Beef Skewers)

Espetada

Espetada is a dish primarily consisting of large cubes of beef which are skewered and barbecued. The beef is marinated in salt and garlic and later skewered on a bay leaf stick.

Espetada is a popular delicacy, particularly on the island of Madeira, where it is typically served as a main dish during the summer months.

Pastel De Nata

Pastel De Nata

Pastel de Nata is a type of tart that is filled with a sweet egg custard then baked. The custard can be flavored with lemon zest or vanilla extract. After baking the tart is sometimes dusted with cinnamon powder.

Broa

Broa

Broa is a type of corn bread made with a mixture of cornmeal and wheat flour, traditionally cooked in a stone oven that is filled with steam. 

Broa has a soft, but dense texture and is known for having a cracked exterior. The cornmeal in the dough gives the bread a slightly sweet taste.

Natas do Ceu

Portuguese Food: 17 Must-Try Traditional Dishes of Portugal 1

Natas do ceu is a layered cream dessert, popular in Portugal, consisting of Maria cookies and layers of various creams. The first is a sweet egg cream made by whisking sugar syrup with egg yolks to create a sweet, yellow colored topping. The second cream is a mixture of meringue and whipped cream.

The dessert layers alternate between the meringue cream mixture and crumbled Maria cookies. The sweet egg cream is reserved for the top.

Bolo do Caco

Bolo de Caco served with butter

Bolo do caco is a traditional bread from Madiera. It’s a unique but simple bread made using flour, yeast, salt, water and sweet potatoes. The ingredients are mixed into a heavy dough which is left to sit for several hours to several days before portioning into smaller pieces which are shaped into discs.

The cooked bread is eaten with flavored, salted butter.

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