14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (2024)

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (1)

Comments 2 Comments

Contents

  • Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers ~ Rissóis de Camarão
  • Caldo Verde ~ Portuguese Green Soup
  • Portuguese Clams with Vinho Verde ~ Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
  • Bifanas ~ Portuguese Pork Sandwiches
  • Homemade Portuguese Chouriço
  • Portuguese Pork and Clams | Porco Alentejana
  • Portuguese Smashed Potatoes ~ Batatas à Murro
  • Papo Secos | Portuguese Rolls
  • Pastéis de Nata ~ Portuguese Custard Tarts
  • Portuguese Tomato Jelly
  • Portuguese Rice Pudding ~ Arroz Doce
  • Portuguese Orange Olive Oil Cake
  • Salame de Chocolate ~ Chocolate Salami
  • Sonhos | Portuguese Doughnuts

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (2)

Ilda Costa-Sarnicki

1 of 14

Portuguese Shrimp Turnovers ~ Rissóis de Camarão

Portuguese shrimp turnovers, or rissóis de camarão, are a traditional appetizer (or, let’s face it, any-time-of-day nosh) that deliver the homey comfort of being in your Portuguese grandma’s kitchen. Even if you never had a Portuguese grandma.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (3)

homeydesign

2 of 14

Caldo Verde ~ Portuguese Green Soup

Portuguese kale soup, caldo verde, is something you’ll experience literally everywhere in Portugal, from Lisbon’s trendiest restaurants to farmhouses scattered at the edge of villages. Understandably so. Its simple yet sustaining character is appreciated everywhere.

Recipe

This caldo verde was such a delicious soup! Hearty and satisfying–especially during our cold Chicago winter. I added half the chorizo back in before using an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some nice chunks of potato in there.

I agree with other reviewers that the flavor improves the next day. I also made Portuguese cornbread to go with the soup.

sasha

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (4)

Romulo Yanes

3 of 14

Portuguese Clams with Vinho Verde ~ Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato

This clam dish is a classic. It has a long history in Portugal and for good reason: It's delicious. Portuguese home cooking is distinguished by its gutsy soulfulness. If you're the type who seasons liberally, taste first. This dish is plenty salty and full of flavor.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (5)

Bifanas ~ Portuguese Pork Sandwiches

Bifanas are traditional Portuguese sandwiches made with thin slices of pork that are marinated and simmered in a sauce of white wine, garlic, and paprika and served on soft rolls with plenty of mustard and piri-piri sauce.

Recipe

This bifanas recipe is so easy and delicious! There’s nothing more satisfying than a good bifana. I can’t wait to try David’s papo secos recipe!

linda v.

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (6)

Hiltred Schulz

5 of 14

Homemade Portuguese Chouriço

If the idea of making homemade Portuguese chouriço seems daunting, fear not. With a little time and patience, you'll be rewarded with a smoky cured sausage that rivals anything from the Portuguese market.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (7)

Nuno Correia

6 of 14

Portuguese Pork and Clams | Porco Alentejana

This combination of Portuguese pork and clams, also known as porco Alentejana, is a superbly comforting and oh-so-satisfying dish of marinated pork shoulder and briny clams in a white wine and red pepper sauce.

Recipe

This Portuguese pork and clams dish was one of my grandmother’s specialties. She never shared her recipe, but her pork was always so tender. For years I have tried to recreate it, and this is by far the closest I have ever come. Thank you! What a treat!

bethany

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (8)

Hiltrud Shulz

7 of 14

Portuguese Smashed Potatoes ~ Batatas à Murro

This popular but simple potato dish can be made on short notice. Waxy potatoes like Red Bliss, Idaho bakers, or new potatoes all work well in this recipe. If raw garlic is too much for you, give it a quick sizzle in a skillet to tame it.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (9)

David Leite

8 of 14

Papo Secos | Portuguese Rolls

These papo secos are light and airy Portuguese rolls that are the perfect vehicle for the classic –marinated pork slices–or your favorite sandwich fillings or simply a smear of butter.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (10)

David Leite

9 of 14

Pastéis de Nata ~ Portuguese Custard Tarts

This pastéis de nata recipe makes as-close-to-authenticPortuguese custard tarts with a rich egg custard nestled inshatteringly crisppastry. Tastes like home, even if you're not from Portugal.

Recipe

I have made the pasteis de nata recipe AT LEAST 10 times. All my family and friends LOVE them. I like to add extra cinnamon sugar, and I usually have extra dough left over. Love this recipe so much. THANK YOU!

TUI

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (11)

Rebecca Caro

10 of 14

Portuguese Tomato Jelly

This Portuguese tomato jelly, made with fresh tomatoes, sugar, water, and some patience, is a favorite Portuguese sweet and savory condiment. It's perfect for serving with cheesand crackers.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (12)

Andrew Montgomery

11 of 14

Portuguese Rice Pudding ~ Arroz Doce

This Portuguese dessert, made by cooking rice with whole milk infused with citrus and cinnamon and making it like custard with the addition of egg yolks, is creamy and comforting.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (13)

Nuno Correia

12 of 14

Portuguese Orange Olive Oil Cake

This Portuguese orange olive oilcake has anunforgettablytendercrumb and a citrus smack thanks to fruity olive oil, winter navel oranges, and orange zest.

Recipe

Orange cake is my husband’s all-time favorite cake…and I’ve made plenty of orange cakes. This is by far the most AMAZING orange cake I have ever tasted! Delicious and moist crumb with such an aromatic flavor. I am forever grateful to you for sharing the recipe and will never need to try another orange cake recipe again.

MARIBEL

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (14)

David Leite

13 of 14

Salame de Chocolate ~ Chocolate Salami

This chocolate salami is an easy, traditional Portuguese no-bake dessert made with butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, tea cookies, and Port wine. It can be customized with your favorite nuts or dried fruits, and is made ahead of time, so it’s ideal for entertaining.

Recipe

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (15)

David Leite

14 of 14

Sonhos | Portuguese Doughnuts

Sonhos are orbs of fried dough that are similar to choux pastry or cream puffs yet easier to make. Crisp outside, airy inside, and with the perfect sweetness from a quick roll through cinnamon sugar. A Portuguese classic.

Recipe

Categorized as:
Round-Ups

About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

Read More About Me

Hungry For More?

7 Sweet Valentine’s Day Cookie Recipes

Skip the flowers and whip up a batch of sweet cookies to show your love this Valentine’s Day.

5 Ways to Use Leftover Chili

These recipes for ways to use leftover chili will make you thankful that you made such a big pot.

7 Sweet Orange Desserts

These 7 citrusy dessert recipes prove just how irresistible the combination of sweetness and tang is. See for yourself.

2 Comments

  1. Do you have a cookbook? Availability?

    Reply

    1. Elaine, I do! It’s The New Portuguese Table. You can find it in most bookstores and on Amazon. Some of these recipes are from other others and aren’t in my book.

      Reply

14 Authentic Portuguese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous Portuguese dish? ›

Arroz de Pato

Arroz de Pato is one of the most popular Portuguese dishes globally. With roots in the city of Braga, this dish is a combination of traditional ingredients, including duck, rice, bay leaf, and chourico.

What is Portugal's national dish? ›

Bacalhau

The national dish of Portugal, bacalhau is dried and salted codfish, which is usually soaked in milk or water before cooking. The Portuguese have been eating bacalhau since the 16th century when their fishing boats brought it back from Newfoundland.

What food is authentic to Portugal? ›

Traditional Portuguese Food: Cataplana, Francesinha & More
  • Açorda.
  • Cozido à Portuguesa.
  • Alheira.
  • Bacalhau.
  • Cataplana.
  • Sopa da Pedra.
  • Francesinha.
Aug 17, 2023

What is the comfort food in Portugal? ›

Bacalhau à Brás is one of the most famous Portuguese dishes and is considered the ultimate comfort meal in Portugal. The dish uses many of the quintessential ingredients found in Portuguese cooking: bacalhau (salt cod), eggs, potatoes, and black olives.

What is the number 1 food in Portugal? ›

1. Pastel de nata (custard tart) Even if you know next to nothing about the cuisine of Portugal, you're likely familiar with the country's most famous dessert, a tiny, decadent egg tart with a satisfyingly rich taste usually for under €2.

What drink is Portugal famous for? ›

Port wine is famous around the world, a treasure that comes from the Duoro Valley in northern Portugal. Most of the time, port is considered to be a dessert wine for its usually sweet taste and more viscous consistency.

What are 3 common foods in Portugal? ›

Here are our must-try Portuguese foods and drinks to sample on your trip to Portugal.
  • Cataplana de Marisco. A trip to Portugal wouldn't be complete without ordering a mouth-watering portion of Cataplana de Marisco. ...
  • Grilled Sardines. ...
  • Piri Piri Chicken. ...
  • Port. ...
  • Pastéis de Nata. ...
  • Feeling hungry now?

What is the most popular meat in Portugal? ›

A lot of Portuguese dishes are made up of meat – especially pork and chicken. Pork is the most popular meat dish available, whether you want chops, ribs or legs! One of their most well liked meat dishes is Rojoes a Moda do Minho – chunks of pork loin that is cooked in pigs lard.

What do Portuguese eat everyday? ›

Portuguese often consume rice, potatoes, sprouts (known as grelos), and bread with their meals and there are numerous varieties of traditional fresh breads like broa which may also have regional and national variations within the countries under Lusophone or Galician influence.

What to wear in Portugal? ›

Neutral colors, paired with stylish yet comfy shoes, work well. Also, avoid overly touristy outfits like “I Love Portugal” t-shirts. Opt for neutral colors, stylish yet comfy shoes (think flat shoes over heels), and a fashionable yet functional bag.

What is a typical Portuguese breakfast? ›

A typical Portuguese breakfast, or "pequeno almoço", is quite simple and light compared to other Western countries. It usually often consists of a bread roll (papo-seco) or toast (tosta) with butter, jam, or cheese, and a strong coffee (bica) or milky coffee (galão).

Is Portugal cheap or expensive? ›

How expensive is Portugal for Americans? Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, with food available at affordable prices, cheap options for accommodation, and reasonable costs for transport.

What do Portuguese eat for lunch? ›

A typical portuguese lunch would be cheese (as an entree), caldo verde (soup), Bacalhau com natas (main dish) and arroz doce (dessert), probably accompanied by white wine.

What do Portuguese people eat when sick? ›

Canja de Galinha | Chicken soup

In Portugal but also in Cape Verde and Brazil (former Portuguese colonies), canja de galinha is widely believed to help a person overcome colds, digestion issues, and other soft forms of sickness.

What are four foods they eat in Portugal? ›

What To Eat in Portugal: 15 Must-Try Dishes
  • Bacalhau. Bacalhau—dried and salted codfish—is Portugal's culinary constant. ...
  • Just-caught Atlantic seafood. ...
  • Sardines. ...
  • Arroz de marisco or arroz de pato. ...
  • Conventual sweets. ...
  • Frango piri-piri. ...
  • Francesinha. ...
  • Porco Preto Alentejano.
Mar 10, 2024

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 5801

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.