Brazil Cuisine
South America • South America
66 iconic dishes
Signature Brazil Dishes
🍽️Main Dishes(18)
Barreado Tradicional
Barreado is a traditional Brazilian dish from the state of Paraná, originating from Azorean immigrants. It features beef slow-cooked for many hours in a sealed clay pot until incredibly tender and shreddable. It's traditionally served with farofa (toasted manioc flour) and sliced bananas.
Bobó de Camarão
A rich and indulgent Bahian specialty featuring tender shrimp simmered in a luscious, creamy sauce made from pureed cassava and coconut milk, infused with the unique flavor of dendê oil.
Bobó de Camarão Completo
A rich and creamy Bahian classic, Bobó de Camarão features tender shrimp enveloped in a velvety cassava purée, infused with the distinctive flavor of dendê oil and coconut milk. This complete version includes traditional accompaniments.
Caipirinha
Brazil's national cocktail, the Caipirinha, is a vibrant and refreshing drink made with fresh lime, sugar, and cachaça. Its simplicity allows the bright citrus and potent spirit to shine.
Carne de Sol
Carne de Sol, meaning 'sun meat,' is a traditional Northeast Brazilian specialty. It's beef that is lightly salt-cured and then briefly dried, giving it a unique flavor and texture. Traditionally grilled or pan-fried, it's a delicious and savory dish often served with cassava and vinagrete.
Carne Seca Acebolada (Brazilian Salted Beef with Onions)
A classic Brazilian comfort food, Carne Seca Acebolada features tender, shredded salted dried beef (carne seca) slow-cooked and then sautéed with sweet, caramelized onions. This dish is deeply savory and satisfying, perfect served with rice and beans.
Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ)
Authentic Brazilian Churrasco, a celebratory feast featuring various cuts of meat grilled over charcoal on long skewers, served rodízio style. This method emphasizes the natural flavor of the high-quality meats, seasoned simply with coarse salt.
Empadão (Brazilian Chicken Pie)
A classic Brazilian double-crust savory pie filled with shredded chicken, corn, olives, and hearts of palm, encased in a tender, flaky pastry. Perfect for gatherings and parties.
Empadão de Frango
A classic Brazilian double-crust chicken pie, known for its creamy, savory filling encased in a tender, buttery pastry. Perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Escondidinho
Brazilian 'hidden' meat pie, featuring a rich shredded beef filling nestled beneath a creamy cassava purée, topped with melted cheese. A truly comforting dish.
Escondidinho de Carne Seca
Escondidinho de Carne Seca, translating to 'hidden dried beef,' is a beloved Brazilian comfort food. This dish features a savory, shredded dried beef filling nestled beneath a creamy, smooth cassava (manioc) purée, all topped with melted cheese and baked to golden perfection. It's a hearty and satisfying casserole perfect for any occasion.
Farofa (Toasted Cassava Flour)
A quintessential Brazilian side dish, farofa is toasted cassava flour (farinha) that adds a delightful crunchy, savory texture to any meal. This version is enriched with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, and scrambled eggs.
Farofa Completa (Loaded Brazilian Cassava Flour)
A quintessential Brazilian side dish, this 'complete' farofa is a flavorful and textural delight. Toasted cassava flour (farinha de mandioca) is enriched with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, scrambled eggs, and fresh parsley, creating a perfect accompaniment to hearty meats like feijoada or churrasco.
Frango à Piri-Piri
A classic Brazilian-Portuguese dish featuring a whole chicken, butterflied and marinated in a fiery blend of African bird's eye chilies, garlic, lemon, and olive oil, then grilled to achieve a delicious char. This recipe balances intense flavor with a satisfying smoky char.
Pacu Assado (Grilled Pacu with Farofa Stuffing)
A traditional Pantanal specialty, this dish features a whole pacu fish, a large freshwater fish, expertly stuffed with a savory farofa (toasted cassava flour) mixture, then grilled to perfection. The result is a flaky, flavorful fish with a crispy skin and a delightful, textural stuffing.
Picanha (Brazilian Top Sirloin Cap)
The crown jewel of Brazilian churrasco, Picanha is a flavorful cut of beef (top sirloin cap) with a thick, luscious fat cap. It's traditionally scored, seasoned generously, folded onto skewers, and grilled over high heat, with the outer layers sliced off as they cook to perfection. Served with farofa and vinaigrette for an authentic experience.
Picanha na Brasa (Brazilian Grilled Rump Cap)
The undisputed king of Brazilian churrasco, Picanha (rump cap) is celebrated for its rich flavor and tender texture. This recipe focuses on the traditional preparation: a thick cut of beef seasoned only with coarse salt and grilled over hot coals to perfection. The thick layer of fat renders during cooking, basting the meat and creating an incredibly succulent result.
Virado à Paulista
A quintessential São Paulo mixed plate featuring tutu de feijão (a creamy bean paste), tender pork chop, a perfectly fried egg, sweet fried banana, and sautéed collard greens. A true taste of Paulista tradition.
🥟Appetizer Dishes(13)
Açaí na Tigela
A vibrant and refreshing Brazilian açaí bowl, perfect as an energizing breakfast, snack, or post-workout treat. It features a thick, blended base of frozen açaí berries, complemented by sweet banana and a touch of guarana syrup or honey, all topped with crunchy granola and fresh banana slices.
Acarajé
Authentic Bahian black-eyed pea fritters, a beloved Afro-Brazilian street food. These crispy, golden-fried bean cakes are traditionally split open and generously filled with creamy vatapá, savory caruru, and a sprinkle of dried shrimp.
Aipim Frito (Brazilian Fried Cassava)
Aipim frito, also known as fried cassava or yuca fries, are a popular Brazilian street food and side dish. These fries are uniquely prepared by boiling the cassava until just tender before frying, resulting in a wonderfully crispy exterior and a fluffy, creamy interior, often considered superior to potato fries.
Bolinho de Bacalhau
Brazilian salt cod fritters - crispy fried cod and potato balls. A beloved Portuguese legacy perfected in Brazil.
Casquinha de Siri (Brazilian Stuffed Crab Shells)
A classic Brazilian beach bar delicacy, this dish features tender crab meat mixed with aromatic vegetables and creamy coconut milk, baked in crab shells (or ramekins) until golden and bubbly. It's a flavorful and comforting seafood gratin.
Coxinha
Brazilian chicken croquettes - teardrop-shaped fried dough filled with creamy shredded chicken. A beloved and iconic snack in Brazil, often resembling a small chicken drumstick.
Coxinha de Frango
Brazilian chicken croquettes - teardrop-shaped fried dough stuffed with creamy shredded chicken. A beloved and iconic Brazilian snack.
Empadinha
Empadinhas are beloved Brazilian mini pies, featuring a delicate, buttery shortcrust pastry filled with a savory shredded chicken and hearts of palm mixture.
Frango à Passarinho (Brazilian Crispy Garlic Chicken)
Frango à Passarinho, meaning 'little bird style' chicken, is a popular Brazilian bar snack featuring incredibly crispy, bite-sized pieces of chicken deeply infused with garlic and lime, then fried to golden perfection. It's a simple yet addictive dish perfect for sharing.
Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread)
Authentic Brazilian cheese bread, featuring delightfully chewy and cheesy balls made from tapioca flour. These naturally gluten-free treats are perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Pastel
A beloved Brazilian street food, pastel is a thin, crispy fried pastry envelope filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings. This recipe focuses on classic savory options like seasoned ground beef, mozzarella, and hearts of palm. Perfect for parties, markets, or a delicious snack.
Romeu e Julieta
A classic Brazilian dessert or snack, Romeu e Julieta is a delightful pairing of mild, fresh white cheese (Queijo Minas Fresco) and sweet, firm guava paste (Goiabada). The name, meaning 'Romeo and Juliet,' alludes to the perfect, albeit unlikely, union of these two distinct flavors.
Torresmo (Brazilian Crispy Pork Belly)
Experience the ultimate Brazilian bar snack: Torresmo! These incredibly crispy, golden-brown pork cracklings are made from pork belly, slowly rendered to perfection and then fried to a shatteringly crisp finish. A true delight for any meat lover.
🍲Soup Dishes(15)
Barreado (Paraná Slow-Cooked Beef)
Barreado is a traditional Azorean-heritage dish from the state of Paraná, Brazil. It features beef slow-cooked for many hours until incredibly tender, traditionally sealed in a clay pot with a manioc flour paste. The result is a rich, flavorful, and fall-apart shredded beef, often served with manioc flour (farofa), bananas, and a side of broth.
Caldo Verde Brasileiro
A hearty and comforting Brazilian kale soup, a beloved dish with Portuguese roots. This version features tender potatoes blended into a creamy base, wilted collard greens, and savory calabresa sausage.
Caruru
A traditional Bahian okra stew, often prepared as a sacred offering in Candomblé ceremonies. This rich and flavorful dish combines tender okra with savory dried shrimp, creamy cashews, and the distinctive aroma of dendê oil.
Feijoada Completa
Brazil's beloved national dish, a rich and hearty black bean stew simmered with a variety of pork and beef cuts. Traditionally served with fluffy white rice, quickly sautéed collard greens, toasted cassava flour (farofa), and refreshing orange slices to cut through the richness.
Feijoada Completa
Feijoada Completa is Brazil's beloved national dish, a rich and hearty black bean stew simmered with a variety of pork and beef cuts. Traditionally enjoyed on Saturdays, it's a celebration of flavor and communal dining.
Maniçoba (Amazonian Pork Stew)
A rich and deeply flavorful Amazonian stew, Maniçoba is a traditional dish from the state of Pará, often referred to as 'Paraense feijoada'. It features ground cassava leaves (maniva) slow-cooked for days with various cuts of pork and other cured meats, resulting in a unique and hearty delicacy. The long cooking time is crucial for neutralizing the natural toxins present in raw cassava leaves.
Moqueca Baiana (Bahian Fish Stew)
A vibrant and aromatic Bahian fish stew featuring tender fish simmered in coconut milk, bell peppers, tomatoes, and the distinctive flavor of dendê (palm oil). Traditionally cooked in a clay pot, this dish is a celebration of Brazilian coastal cuisine.
Moqueca Capixaba (Capixaba Fish Stew)
A lighter, brighter version of the classic Brazilian fish stew from Espírito Santo, this Moqueca Capixaba omits coconut milk and dendê oil, focusing on fresh fish, vegetables, and the subtle warmth of annatto oil. Traditionally cooked in a clay pot, it's a testament to the region's culinary heritage.
Moqueca de Peixe (Bahian Fish Stew)
A vibrant and aromatic Bahian fish stew, featuring tender white fish simmered in a rich, creamy sauce of coconut milk and the distinctive flavor of dendê (palm) oil. This dish is a cornerstone of Afro-Brazilian soul food, celebrated for its complex flavors and comforting texture.
Pato no Tucupi
A traditional Amazonian dish featuring tender duck slow-cooked in a vibrant, tangy yellow cassava sauce (tucupi), infused with garlic and finished with the unique, mouth-tingling herb jambu. The characteristic tingling sensation from the jambu is a hallmark of this dish.
Rabada (Brazilian Oxtail Stew)
A deeply flavorful and comforting Brazilian oxtail stew, slow-braised until the meat is incredibly tender and falling off the bone. Traditionally served with fresh watercress and polenta, it's a beloved Sunday meal.
Sarapatel
A traditional and intensely flavored Bahian offal stew, featuring a rich sauce made with pig's blood and organs, seasoned with spices and chili. This dish is a testament to the fusion of Portuguese and African culinary influences in Brazil.
Tacacá
A vibrant and unique Amazonian soup, Tacacá features a tangy tucupí broth infused with aromatic garlic, tender dried shrimp, and the tingling sensation of jambu leaves, all thickened with tapioca pearls. It's known for its distinctive mouth-numbing effect, a signature of the jambu herb.
Vatapá
A rich and creamy Afro-Brazilian stew from Bahia, featuring tender shrimp in a velvety sauce made with coconut milk, peanuts, cashews, and the distinctive flavor of dendê oil.
Xinxim de Galinha
A rich and flavorful Bahian chicken stew, Xinxim de Galinha features tender chicken simmered in a creamy sauce made from ground peanuts, dried shrimp, and the distinctive aroma of dendê oil. Traditionally offered in Candomblé ceremonies, this dish is a staple of Afro-Brazilian cuisine.
🥔Side Dishes(5)
Arroz Carreteiro
Brazilian wagon driver's rice - a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal traditionally made by Gaucho cowboys with dried beef and rice. This dish is designed for sustenance and simplicity, perfect for a filling lunch or dinner.
Arroz com Pequi
A traditional rice dish from Goiás, Brazil, featuring the unique and pungent pequi fruit. This specialty of Central Brazil offers a distinctive flavor and aroma.
Baião de Dois
Baião de Dois is a classic Northeastern Brazilian dish, a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal combining rice, beans, sun-dried beef, and cheese. It's a comforting and satisfying staple.
Feijão Tropeiro
Feijão Tropeiro, a hearty and flavorful dish originating from Minas Gerais, Brazil, is traditional road food for muleteers. It features cooked beans mixed with crispy bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, sautéed collard greens, and toasted manioc flour (farofa), creating a satisfying and robust meal.
Galinhada (Brazilian Chicken and Rice)
A vibrant and flavorful one-pot dish from Goiás, Brazil, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with saffron-infused rice, vegetables, and the distinctive aroma of pequi (if available). This is hearty home-style cooking at its finest.
🍰Dessert Dishes(14)
Beijinho
Beijinho, meaning 'little kiss' in Portuguese, are sweet, chewy coconut truffles made from condensed milk. They are a popular treat in Brazil, often served at parties and celebrations, and are a delightful, simple-to-make confection.
Bolo de Rolo (Brazilian Roll Cake)
Bolo de Rolo is a traditional Brazilian dessert, often considered the state cake of Pernambuco. It features incredibly thin layers of sponge cake rolled around a sweet guava paste filling. The process is meticulous, resulting in a beautiful spiral cake that's a delight to behold and eat.
Brigadeiro
Brigadeiros are iconic Brazilian chocolate truffles, a beloved treat made from condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter, rolled into balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles. They are a staple at Brazilian birthday parties and celebrations.
Canjica (Brazilian White Corn Pudding)
A creamy and comforting Brazilian dessert made from hominy corn simmered in sweetened coconut milk, infused with warm spices. Traditionally enjoyed during the June Festivals (Festa Junina).
Cartola
Cartola is a delightful and simple Brazilian dessert originating from Pernambuco, featuring sweet fried bananas topped with melted cheese, cinnamon, and sugar. It's a unique sweet and savory combination.
Cocada
Cocada is a beloved Brazilian coconut candy, a sweet and chewy confection often found at beaches and street markets. This recipe focuses on the classic caramelized version.
Curau (Brazilian Sweet Corn Pudding)
A beloved creamy sweet corn pudding, a staple during Brazilian June festivals. This dessert features the natural sweetness of corn, enriched with milk, butter, and a hint of cinnamon.
Doce de Abóbora (Brazilian Candied Pumpkin)
A traditional Brazilian sweet made from pumpkin chunks slowly cooked in a spiced sugar syrup until tender and translucent. It's intensely sweet and often served with mild cheese for a delightful contrast.
Maria Mole
Brazilian soft candy - a light, airy, pillowy marshmallow confection with a delicate coconut flavor. Perfect as a sweet treat or party favor.
Pavê
A classic Brazilian layered dessert featuring soft biscuits soaked in milk and layered with a rich, creamy chocolate sauce. Known for its delightful texture and decadent flavor, it's a perfect treat for any occasion. The name playfully references a Brazilian dad joke: 'Pa-vê ou pa-comê?' (Do you look at it or do you eat it?).
Pavê de Chocolate
A classic Brazilian layered dessert featuring delicate cookies soaked in milk and layered with a rich, velvety chocolate cream. This crowd-pleasing treat is a staple at any Brazilian celebration.
Pudim de Leite Condensado
A classic Brazilian flan, this Pudim de Leite Condensado features a luxuriously smooth condensed milk custard enveloped in a rich, golden caramel sauce. It's an indispensable dessert for any Brazilian celebration.
Pudim de Leite Condensado
An ultra-creamy Brazilian flan (Pudim de Leite) featuring a rich caramel sauce. A beloved dessert, often found at birthday parties and family gatherings.
Quindim
Bright yellow, rich, and intensely flavored coconut egg custard from Bahia, Brazil. Quindim is a classic dessert known for its glossy, caramelized top and tender, custard-like interior.