Traditional Portuguese Dishes: Take A Culinary Trip To Portugal

Traditional Portuguese dishes are a rich and diverse fusion of flavours influenced by various cultures and historical events. From fresh seafood to hearty stews, Portugal offers a unique gastronomic experience for any food lover. Curious to see what you’ll find on the menu? Keep reading and discover some favorite dishes of Portuguese people the world over!

Pastéis de nata

Pastéis de nata, the famous Portuguese custard tarts, are a beloved dessert in Portugal and can be found in pastry shops nationwide. These delicate tarts are made with a flaky, buttery pastry crust and a creamy custard filling flavoured with vanilla and cinnamon. Without a doubt they’re one of, if not, the most popular desserts in Portugal.

Pastéis de nata

They are best enjoyed warm with a dusting of powdered sugar. Pastéis de Belém is only available in Belém,  Lisbon. Everywhere else, it’s known as a pastel de nata.

Fun fact: Custard tart were supposedly first made in the Jerónimos Monastery way back in the 13th century.

Cozido

Cozido à Portuguesa is a hearty stew made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and beans. Low and slow in a clay pot is the secret to creating rich and flavourful dish.

The ingredients vary depending on the region, but some common ones include beef, pork, chorizo, cabbage, carrots, and chickpeas. Cozido is usually served with rice or potatoes. After one taste you’ll see why this is one of the most popular traditional Portuguese dishes. Add a glass of red wine and you’ll have yourself a classic Portuguese meal.


Some say only the moms and grannies know how to cook a proper Cozido à Portuguesa, but if you’re lucky you might find a good one in a traditional restaurant.

Sardinhas assadas

Sardinhas assadas, or grilled sardines, are popular street food in Portugal, especially during summer. they’re typically served with a slice of lemon and a crusty roll. Such a simple but unbelievably delicious meal.

The sardines are marinated in olive oil, garlic and salt before being grilled over coals. As they hit the grill the oil drips down into the coals and the resulting smoke gives the fish a rich flavour with crispy skin.

Grilled sardines Photo by Olga Safronova

If you’re in Portugal in June don’t miss the Festas dos Santos Populares. The popular Saints Festival is also known as the Sardine Festival due to the fact that sardines are the highlight and you can eat as many as you’d like. There’s nothing better that enjoying sardines right off the grill with a nice cold beer.

Bacalhau

Bacalhau, or salt cod, is a staple ingredient in Portuguese cuisine. You’ll see it everywhere! It’s said that there are over 1.000 ways to prepare this dish! It’s so popular that you can find it in almost every restaurant in the country and can be found in many traditional Portuguese dishes.

Bacalhau à brás

One of the most popular dishes is bacalhau com natas, a creamy fish casserole made with layers of cod, sliced potatoes, and onions baked in a creamy sauce.

Other popular dishes include bacalhau à brás. This is made with shredded cod fish, onions, potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá is another popular one. Basically it’s a casserole made with cod, onions, garlic, and potatoes.

Arroz de marisco

Arroz de marisco, or seafood rice, is a popular dish along the coast of Portugal.

With the amount of seafood in this dish you can definitely see why it’s so popular. The hearty rice dish is made with various fresh seafood, such as clams, mussels, shrimp, and squid. It’s cooked in a decadent tomato and white wine sauce and usually served with some nice crusty bread and a few glasses of crisp white wine.

Arroz de marisco is a typal Portuguese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. We’re pretty sure you’d need a nap after finishing this hearty meal.

Traditional Portuguese Dishes: Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde is one of those traditional Portuguese dishes that is a staple in most Portuguese homes. The soup originated in the province of Minho which is in the north of Portugal.

The main ingredients of Caldo Verde are potatoes, collard greens (known as “couve galega” in Portuguese), olive oil, garlic, and salt. The soup is often garnished with thinly sliced or shredded chouriço (a Portuguese sausage) to enhance the flavour.

Caldo Verde is traditionally served hot and accompanied by a slice of broa, a traditional Portuguese cornbread. The soup is hearty and comforting, making it a perfect meal on a chilly day.

Francesinha

The Francesinha is a filling sandwich that originated in the city of Porto. It was created in the 1960s by a Portuguese emigrant who was inspired by the croque-monsieur from France.

The Francesinha is made with layers of ham, sausage, and roast beef. It’s then covered with cheese and a piping hot tomato and beer-based sauce (often called “molho) ladled over the top which melts the cheese.

The sandwich is then grilled until the cheese bubbles and finally topped with a fried egg. As if that’s not enough, it often comes with a nice serving of french fries. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart and is best enjoyed with a friend, or three.

Alheira

Alheira is a type of sausage that originates from Trás-os-Montes in the northern region of Portugal.

Its creation is attributed to the Jewish community during the Portuguese Inquisition in the 15th century. During that time Jewish people faced persecution and were forced to convert to Christianity or leave the country. Many, however, continued to secretly practice Judaism.

Alheira is made primarily from poultry, bread, and garlic and it resembles traditional pork sausages. Over time, different variations of alheira have emerged. While the classic version is made with poultry, it’s also possible to find pork, game meat, or even vegetarian options. As you’d expect each variation offers a distinct flavour profile.

Traditional Portuguese Dishes: Bifana

Bifana is a popular Portuguese sandwich that consists of marinated pork cutlets served on a roll. The pork is typically marinated in a mixture of garlic, paprika, white wine or beer, and seasonings to enhance the flavour.


The sandwich is a beloved street food usually made with a soft bread roll and slathered with mustard and hot sauce. This adds a tangy and spicy kick. If you’re in Lisbon, try As Bifanas do Afonso, one of the most popular spots for bifana.

Pica Pau

Pica Pau is a dish containing bite-sized pieces of meat, typically pork or beef, cooked in a savoury sauce.

The meat is usually pan-fried or sautéed. Onions, pickles, and other spices are added to the pan and cooked together with the meat until it’s cooked through and slightly browned. The dish is often finished off with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving.

It’s enjoyed as an appetizer or main course, and often accompanied by other ingredients like olives or sliced peppers.

Conclusion

Portugal has many traditional dishes and its people are immensely proud of them all. It’s widely known that wherever you see a handwritten sign, the ingredients are fresh and the menu changes daily. Along with traditional Portuguese dishes, you can now find variations on the menu. For instance, skilled chefs take those traditional dishes and create vegan interpretations that people go crazy for! Take all these new and “old” food, add a few glasses of wine and you’re assured of never being hungry during your trip to Portugal!

Huge thanks to Marga from Discover Portugal for this guest post. Marga is a travel writer and photographer who used to be a flight attendant and travelled extensively for many years. After settling in Portugal, she started the Discover Portugal blog with insightful and engaging travel stories.