9 MUST-HAVE TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE FOODS TO TRY ON YOUR NEXT TRIP
If you’re planning a vacation to Portugal, these are 10 MUST-HAVE TRADITIONAL Portuguese foods to try on your next trip. These local favorites range from seafood to bread, but they all taste great. Some must-tries include Choco Frito, a local specialty from Setubal. This finger-sized fried cuttlefish is served with fried potatoes and pairs well with a Portuguese white wine. Try spicing it up a bit with fresh lemon juice and you’ll be surprised by how much better it tastes.
ALHEIRA DE MIRANDELA
You can’t visit Portugal without trying the Alheira de Mirandela, a smoked sausage. Portuguese cooks eat this sausage with a fried egg and crispy French fries. It is so delicious and traditional that it is listed among the 10 must-have traditional Portuguese foods.
A dish with a long history, alheira is a Portuguese sausage made of various kinds of meat and rolled in bread. It’s most commonly served with fries or a fried egg. A very important role in Portuguese history, alheira was cooked by Jews as proof that they had converted to Christianity. It is made with salted cod and is a staple in over 1,000 Portuguese recipes.
BACALHAU
One of the most popular Portuguese dishes is bacalhau, or salted cod. This dish dates back to pre-refrigeration days and is a staple in Portuguese cuisine. It can be good or fishy depending on how it is prepared, so try to sample some at your next visit.
Traditionally, bacalhau was a staple food for Portuguese explorers and sailors, as it was rich in nutritional value and could be stored for months without refrigeration. In addition to helping the Portuguese eat more, bacalhau helped people who lived far away from the ocean incorporate high-quality protein into their diet. Meat and fish were expensive, so bacalhau became a staple in the country.
The Portuguese have been salting cod for centuries, making it an essential part of their diet. By salting it, cod not only becomes more flavorful, but also eliminates the need for refrigeration. This fish is so delicious, it has been called the “fish that saved the world”.
BIFANA
While you’re in Portugal, you should try a traditional bifana. It’s a dish that originated in the south, in Vendas Novas. It’s usually served with a mustard sauce and chili oil. Depending on how it’s prepared, bifanas can vary in taste from place to place. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCER0qwjASUEnPZzHin8FJdQ/about
A classic pork sandwich in Portugal is the Bifana, which is served on a Portuguese roll with a garlic and white wine mixture. There are several versions of this dish, and each restaurant uses a different method for marinating the pork. A beef version is available, as is a soup known as Caldo Verde. It’s made of potato, onion, and kale, and is generally served with chorico slides.
Another dish that you must try in Portugal is piri-piri chicken. Although this may seem like an Asian food, it is actually Portuguese! Portuguese Jesuits settled in Japan as missionaries in the XVI century. Portuguese Jesuits introduced the dish to the world, and the fish is now popular throughout the country.
CALDO VERDE
Caldo verde is the national soup of Portugal, and you can find it on menus at local cafes and fine restaurants. While it originated in the Minho region of northern Portugal, this simple soup has spread to other Portuguese-speaking countries. Caldo verde is traditionally made with potatoes, collard greens, olive oil, garlic, onion, and salt. It can be served with crusty white bread and is usually served for celebrations.
Another delicious dish that you must try when visiting Portugal is Caldo Verde. This simple soup of green vegetables, potatoes, and garlic is an essential part of Portuguese cuisine. You can choose vegetarian-friendly versions without the chourico. And speaking of cod, you’ll find more than a thousand varieties of the dish. The fresh version, known as Bacalhau Fresco, is often accompanied by cornbread.
Portuguese cuisine is rich in fish and seafood, but also includes plenty of meat. While most dishes are fast-paced, you can find plenty of time to take a long lunch and linger over traditional Portuguese fare. Portuguese lunches typically last two hours, and dinner is served after eightpm. Portuguese dinners typically consist of three courses, with soup served before the main course. The most popular soup is ‘caldo verde’, made with potatoes, kale, and sausage. For dessert, try flan, caramel custard, or a cinnamon-flavored rice pudding. Many traditional Portuguese recipes were developed by nuns in the 18th century.
CARNE DE PORCO ALENTEJANA
If you’re planning a visit to Portugal, you should try some traditional Portuguese dishes. One such dish is Carne de Porco Alentejana, which is a braised pork dish served with clams and potatoes. It is often described as the Portuguese version of surf and turf, as it pairs pork with seafood. To serve this dish, you’ll need to cook it in a hot pan and season it with salt.
Another Portuguese dish to try is caldeirada. Traditionally, fishermen would make this dish to feed their families. It features clams and pork with a tangy herb sauce and potatoes. When paired with Alentejo red, it’s a delicious dish to enjoy in the sunshine and warmth of Portugal.
Acorda a Alentejana is another delicious Portuguese dish to try. This soup is made of eggs, bread, olive oil, cilantro, and garlic, and is a staple of the region. It’s best served with a crusty loaf of bread and a spoonful of lard or a slice of bread.
PASTEIS DE NATA
Whether you’re looking for a quick takeaway meal or a traditional Portuguese dessert, pasteis de nata is a must-try. A typical Pasteis de Nata has a crisp outer base and a fluffy eggy center. This delicacy is only found in Lisbon, so try to make your way there for a taste.
One of the most traditional Portuguese desserts, Pasteis de Nata is a small, flaky pastry bowl filled with sweet custard. The custard is subtle and delicious, and best enjoyed with a cup of coffee. When you visit Portugal, be sure to try several of the different types of Pasteis. The most famous is Fabrica de Pasteis de Belem, which opened in 1909.
PASTEIS DE NATA, CHOURICO, QUITOTE, AND PASTEIS DE NATA, 10 MUST HAVE TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE CUISINE
PEIXE GRELHADO
If you’re visiting Portugal soon, make sure you sample some of the traditional Portuguese cuisine while you’re there. Unlike in the United States, where you can find an abundance of delicious dishes at every restaurant, you’ll have to be adventurous to try these ones. If you don’t know where to begin, here are some of the must-haves:
Alheira sausage is a classic Portuguese dish, and is still widely available. Often grilled, alheira sausage is a staple of Portuguese cuisine, and is perfect served with potato fries and gooey fried eggs. Pata negra ham is a specialty of Portugal, made from the meat of a black Iberian pig, which is fed acorns. This delectable ham is served with cheese and wine, and is sure to please the taste buds.
Ameijoas a Bulhao Pato is a classic Portuguese clam dish. Known throughout the country, this dish is a favorite of travelers and locals alike. It’s made with clams, garlic, eggs, and olive oil, and is often paired with wine. You can also find this dish in Italian restaurants. https://www.babelcube.com/user/steve-hacks
SALAME DE CHOCOLATE
If you’re traveling to Portugal, you’ll want to try salame de chocolate. Made from a blend of chocolate and crushed biscuits, salame de chocolate is an amazing no-bake dessert. The addictive, chocolatey treats are best served as a starter or to add to a traditional charcuterie board.
The Portuguese love their desserts. One popular dessert is the torta de azeitao. This soft sponge cake is topped with a sweet egg yolk and rolled to perfection. It’s a treat for sweet tooths and is a must-try when in Azeitao.
SALAME DE CHOCOLATE IS SO GOOD, it’s part of the Easter celebration. And what better way to celebrate the holiday than by sampling a variety of traditional Portuguese dishes? It’s time to plan a trip to Portugal and make sure to include a tour of its delicious cuisine.