Portugal Cuisine
Europe • Southern Europe
61 iconic dishes
Signature Portugal Dishes
🍽️Main Dishes(14)
Alheira
Alheira is a traditional Portuguese smoked sausage, typically bread-based, originating from Jewish crypto-food traditions. It is most commonly fried until crispy and served with accompaniments like fries and a fried egg.
Bacalhau à Brás
A beloved Portuguese comfort food, this dish features shredded salt cod (bacalhau) mixed with finely julienned fried potatoes, softened onions, garlic, and scrambled eggs, creating a wonderfully silky and satisfying texture. It's often garnished with black olives and fresh parsley.
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá
A beloved Portuguese classic from Porto, this comforting casserole features layers of salt cod, potatoes, onions, and hard-boiled eggs, all brought together with generous amounts of olive oil. The salt cod requires significant pre-soaking to rehydrate and desalinate.
Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo
A beloved Portuguese cod casserole originating from Porto, featuring tender salt cod layered with creamy potato purée, a savory olive mash, and a golden, broiled mayonnaise topping.
Bacalhau com Natas (Portuguese Cod with Cream)
A rich and comforting Portuguese classic featuring salt cod baked with potatoes and a creamy sauce. This dish requires desalting the cod beforehand, which is crucial for its flavor.
Bacalhau Espiritual
An elegant and creamy baked cod dish, often served during Christmas, resembling a savory soufflé. This recipe features flaked salt cod bound in a rich béchamel-like sauce, enriched with egg yolks and lightened with whipped egg whites.
Carne de Porco à Alentejana
A classic Portuguese dish from the Alentejo region, this recipe features tender pork marinated and braised with white wine, garlic, and paprika, then combined with briny clams and crispy fried potatoes for an iconic surf and turf experience.
Cozido à Portuguesa
Cozido à Portuguesa is a hearty and traditional Portuguese mixed boil, often served as a celebratory Sunday feast. It features a variety of meats and root vegetables simmered together in a flavorful broth, creating a comforting and abundant meal.
Ginjinha (Portuguese Sour Cherry Liqueur)
A traditional Portuguese sour cherry liqueur, often enjoyed as a digestif or aperitif. This recipe includes the whole cherries, allowing their flavor to infuse into the spirit. A specialty of Lisbon, it's famously served in small edible chocolate cups.
Leitão à Bairrada (Bairrada-Style Roast Suckling Pig)
A quintessential Portuguese regional specialty from Bairrada, this dish features a whole suckling pig roasted to achieve incredibly crispy skin and tender, succulent meat. Traditionally cooked in wood-fired ovens, it's a celebratory dish perfect for gatherings.
Leitão da Bairrada (Bairrada Roast Suckling Pig)
An iconic dish from the Bairrada region of Portugal, this roast suckling pig is renowned for its incredibly crispy, crackling skin and exceptionally tender, succulent meat. It's a celebratory dish often served at special occasions.
Polvo à Lagareiro (Portuguese Roasted Octopus with Potatoes)
A classic Portuguese dish featuring tender, slow-cooked octopus roasted to a delightful crisp, served with olive oil-infused potatoes. This 'Lagareiro' style emphasizes the generous use of high-quality olive oil.
Rojões à Minhota (Minho-Style Fried Pork)
Tender, flavorful cubes of pork loin, marinated in white wine and garlic, then fried until golden brown and succulent. A classic dish from the Minho region of Portugal, known for its bold cumin flavor.
Sardinhas Assadas (Portuguese Grilled Sardines)
Authentic Portuguese grilled sardines, a quintessential summer dish. Simple, fresh sardines are generously seasoned with sea salt and grilled over high heat until the skin is beautifully charred and the fish is flaky and moist. Served traditionally on rustic bread to soak up the delicious juices, with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
🥟Appetizer Dishes(7)
Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, or Portuguese garlic clams, is a classic and incredibly simple appetizer featuring fresh clams simmered in a fragrant broth of olive oil, garlic, white wine, and cilantro. It's named after the 19th-century Portuguese poet Raimundo António de Bulhão Pato and is best enjoyed immediately with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Caracóis à Portuguesa (Portuguese Snails)
A beloved Portuguese summer tradition, these tender snails are simmered in a fragrant broth of garlic, olive oil, and herbs, perfect for dipping crusty bread into.
Pataniscas de Bacalhau
Pataniscas de Bacalhau are traditional Portuguese cod fritters, featuring flaky salt cod encased in a light, airy batter. They are a popular appetizer or light meal, often served with rice and salad.
Percebes (Portuguese Gooseneck Barnacles)
Percebes, or gooseneck barnacles, are a highly prized and unique delicacy from the Portuguese coast. Their intense, briny flavor and tender texture are best enjoyed with minimal preparation. This recipe focuses on highlighting their natural taste.
Pica-Pau
Pica-Pau is a classic Portuguese petisco (tapas or bar snack) featuring tender, bite-sized pieces of beef stir-fried with garlic, chili, and a splash of beer, often served with pickles. It's a flavorful and quick dish perfect for sharing.
Queijo Serra da Estrela
Queijo Serra da Estrela is a renowned Portuguese mountain cheese made from raw sheep's milk, known for its exceptionally creamy and runny interior when ripe. It is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese, meaning its production is strictly regulated to ensure authenticity and quality.
Santola Recheada (Portuguese Stuffed Spider Crab)
A luxurious Portuguese delicacy, Santola Recheada features tender spider crab meat mixed with aromatic seasonings, stuffed back into its shell, and gratinated to a golden-brown perfection. Traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season, this dish is a true celebration of fresh seafood.
🍲Soup Dishes(11)
Açorda Alentejana
A comforting and rustic Portuguese bread soup from the Alentejo region, featuring a fragrant garlic and cilantro base, softened bread, and perfectly poached eggs. This dish is a testament to simple ingredients transformed into a flavorful meal.
Cachupa
A hearty and flavorful Cape Verdean national dish, Cachupa is a slow-cooked stew featuring hominy corn, beans, and a medley of meats and vegetables. It's traditionally prepared overnight and simmered for hours, resulting in a rich, comforting meal.
Caldeirada (Portuguese Fish Stew)
A hearty and traditional Portuguese fisherman's stew featuring layers of firm white fish, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, gently simmered in white wine. The key is to avoid stirring, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Caldeirada de Peixe (Portuguese Fish Stew)
A classic Portuguese coastal fish stew featuring layers of tender fish, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, gently simmered in white wine and olive oil. This dish is known for its delicate flavors and comforting texture, best enjoyed with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
Caldo Verde
Portugal's soul soup - a silky, comforting potato and broth base generously studded with thinly sliced collard greens and savory slices of chouriço sausage.
Caldo Verde Tradicional (Traditional Portuguese Kale Soup)
A hearty and comforting national soup of Portugal, featuring tender potatoes, finely shredded kale, and smoky chouriço sausage. This traditional recipe is simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
Cataplana de Marisco (Algarve Seafood Stew)
A traditional Algarve seafood stew cooked and served in a special hinged copper pot called a cataplana. This method seals in steam, creating a flavorful and tender dish.
Chanfana (Portuguese Goat Stew)
Chanfana is a traditional Portuguese goat stew, slow-braised in red wine with aromatic spices. Originating from the Beira region, this rustic dish is known for its incredibly tender meat that falls off the bone.
Feijoada à Portuguesa
A hearty and rustic Portuguese bean stew, rich with smoky depth from a variety of pork cuts and sausages. This dish is a comforting classic, perfect for feeding a crowd.
Feijoada à Transmontana
A hearty and traditional Portuguese white bean stew, originating from the Trás-os-Montes region, featuring tender pork and flavorful sausages. A true winter comfort dish.
Tripas à Moda do Porto
Tripas à Moda do Porto, a hearty and iconic stew from Porto, Portugal, featuring tender tripe and white beans simmered with aromatic meats and spices. This dish, deeply rooted in the city's history, is a true taste of Portuguese tradition.
🥔Side Dishes(5)
Arroz de Cabidela (Portuguese Blood Rice)
A traditional and deeply flavorful Portuguese dish, Arroz de Cabidela features tender chicken cooked in a rich, dark rice pilaf, uniquely enriched with chicken blood for its distinctive color and taste. This recipe provides a detailed guide to achieving this classic comfort food.
Arroz de Feijão (Portuguese Bean Rice)
A hearty and comforting Portuguese dish where tender red beans are simmered with rice, infused with the savory flavors of bacon and onion. Perfect for a satisfying everyday meal.
Arroz de Marisco
A comforting and flavorful Portuguese seafood rice, often described as a soupy rice dish brimming with a variety of shellfish. It's a true celebration of coastal flavors.
Arroz de Pato (Portuguese Duck Rice)
A comforting and flavorful Portuguese classic, Arroz de Pato features tender shredded duck meat mixed with rice, then baked with slices of smoky chouriço on top until golden and slightly crispy.
Arroz de Tamboril (Portuguese Monkfish Rice)
A rich and creamy Portuguese rice dish featuring tender monkfish, infused with the flavors of the coast. This recipe aims for a luscious texture where the rice absorbs the flavorful fish stock, complemented by the firm, meaty monkfish.
🍰Dessert Dishes(16)
Aletria (Portuguese Sweet Vermicelli)
Aletria is a traditional Portuguese sweet vermicelli dessert, often enjoyed during the Christmas season. It's a comforting and subtly sweet dish, similar to a rice pudding but made with fine vermicelli noodles, finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Arroz Doce
A classic Portuguese rice pudding, Arroz Doce, is a comforting and festive dessert. It's traditionally decorated with a beautiful cinnamon pattern, making it a popular choice for celebrations and holidays.
Bola de Berlim
A classic Portuguese beach doughnut, known as Bola de Berlim, is a soft, yeasted pastry filled with a rich, sweet custard cream. Traditionally enjoyed on sunny beach days, these doughnuts offer a delightful sweet treat.
Bolas de Berlim (Portuguese Cream Donuts)
Bolas de Berlim are a beloved Portuguese classic, often enjoyed as a sweet treat at the beach. These light, airy donuts are filled with a vibrant yellow custard cream and coated in sugar.
Bolo Rei (Portuguese King Cake)
A traditional Portuguese fruit cake, often enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. This enriched dough cake is studded with candied fruits and nuts, shaped into a crown, and symbolizes the riches of the Three Kings.
Farófias (Portuguese Meringue Islands in Custard)
A classic Portuguese dessert featuring delicate, cloud-like meringue 'islands' gently poached and served afloat in a rich, creamy vanilla custard. Often dusted with cinnamon for a warm, aromatic finish.
Ovos Moles de Aveiro
Ovos Moles de Aveiro, meaning 'soft eggs of Aveiro', is a traditional Portuguese delicacy from the city of Aveiro, renowned for its rich, sweet egg yolk filling encased in thin wafer shells. This UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage confection is a testament to centuries of conventual pastry-making tradition.
Pão de Ló
A classic Portuguese sponge cake known for its light, airy texture and often a delightfully moist center. This recipe aims for a tender crumb with a slightly underbaked, custardy core, characteristic of many regional variations.
Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)
Authentic Portuguese custard tarts, featuring a crisp, flaky puff pastry shell filled with a rich, creamy egg custard that's caramelized and blistered on top. A beloved treat originating from Lisbon.
Pastel de Belém (Portuguese Custard Tart)
The iconic Pastel de Belém, originating from the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. These tarts feature a blistered, caramelized custard filling encased in a shatteringly crisp, flaky puff pastry shell. Best enjoyed warm, dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Pastel de Nata
Portugal's legendary custard tarts - flaky puff pastry shells with rich vanilla custard, baked until blistered and caramelized.
Queijadas de Sintra
Queijadas de Sintra are traditional sweet cheese pastries originating from the town of Sintra, Portugal. These delicate tarts feature a creamy, sweet cheese filling encased in a light, flaky pastry.
Sericaia
A traditional Alentejo egg dessert, a light and airy pudding topped with cinnamon, often served with preserved plums (ameixas d'Elvas).
Toucinho do Céu
A rich and dense Portuguese almond torte, traditionally made by nuns. The name 'Toucinho do Céu' translates to 'Bacon from Heaven,' likely referring to its rich, golden color and dense texture, reminiscent of bacon fat.
Travesseiro
Travesseiro, meaning 'pillow' in Portuguese, is a traditional pastry from Sintra, Portugal. It features a delicate, flaky puff pastry encasing a rich and creamy almond filling. These pastries are a beloved specialty, often enjoyed with coffee or as a sweet treat.
Travesseiro de Sintra
Travesseiro de Sintra, meaning 'Sintra pillow', is a famous Portuguese pastry consisting of flaky puff pastry filled with a rich, sweet almond cream. These delicate pastries are a beloved specialty from the town of Sintra.
🍞Bread Dishes(3)
Alheira de Mirandela
Alheira de Mirandela is a famous regional sausage from the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal, protected by IGP (Denominação de Origem Protegida). Traditionally made with game meats and bread, this version uses poultry for accessibility. It has a unique, smoky flavor and is often served grilled with a fried egg.
Migas à Alentejana
Migas à Alentejana is a rustic and flavorful Portuguese peasant dish from the Alentejo region, featuring crispy fried bread, succulent pork belly, and aromatic garlic. It's a testament to making simple ingredients incredibly delicious.
Migas Alentejanas
Migas Alentejanas is a rustic and comforting Portuguese dish originating from the Alentejo region, featuring fried breadcrumbs and succulent pork. It's a classic example of making the most of simple ingredients.
🥨Snack Dishes(3)
Bifana (Portuguese Pork Sandwich)
A beloved Portuguese street food classic, the Bifana features thinly sliced pork marinated in a flavorful blend of white wine, garlic, and paprika, then quickly cooked and served in a crusty roll, often with a generous smear of mustard. The bread is typically dipped in the flavorful pan juices for an extra burst of taste.
Bifanas (Portuguese Pork Sandwiches)
Bifanas are a beloved Portuguese street food classic: thinly sliced pork marinated in garlic and white wine, then quickly pan-fried and served in crusty bread rolls. They are incredibly flavorful, quick to make, and perfect for a casual meal or snack.
Prego no Pão (Portuguese Steak Sandwich)
A classic Portuguese steak sandwich featuring tender, garlicky steak nestled in a crusty roll, often enjoyed as quick street food or a satisfying meal. Simple perfection.