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    Home » Cuisines

    Portuguese Food: Classic Portuguese Dishes

    Published: Jun 5, 2021 · Modified: Nov 14, 2022 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Take your pick from this mix of classic Portuguese dishes!  Expect each food in the list to give you a taste of Portuguese cuisine — up to the last bite!

    Jun2021, latest collage of images showing different traditional Portuguese dishes.

    Rice, bread, spices, sausage, and seafood — these are the staples in every Portuguese meal.  

    Every lunch or dinner would have soup, and if there is soup, there is always bread served with it.

    Dessert can be a pastry or the traditional sweet rice pudding.

    Jump to:
    • Classic Soup
    • Rice and Side Dishes
    • Cakes and Pastries
    • Traditional Dessert

    Classic Soup

    Caldo Verde (Portuguese Green Soup)

    A serving of Portuguese Kale Soup, with slices of chorizo on top.

    Portuguese cuisine typically uses regular, easy-to-find produce and then amps the flavor up with the highlight ingredient of the dish.

    This classic Portuguese food, caldo verde, is a perfect example.  

    You prepare the soup with kale, then turn the flavor up with the addition of chorizo at the end.  The fat and spice from the chorizo do wonders to the soup.  

    Rice and Side Dishes

    Arroz de Tomate (Portuguese Tomato Rice)

    An overhead shot of a pan of tomato rice, with fresh cherry tomatoes and onion, next to it.

    Arroz de tomate is great as a side dish on its own, or as a main dish, with mixed seafood added into it.

    Regardless of how this traditional Portuguese food is served, I never thought a dish with such ‘no-frills’ ingredients would turn out as delicious as this one.

    You have to try and discover it for yourself — this tomato rice is a winner! 🙂 

    Salt-Crusted Baked Potatoes

    An overhead shot of a skillet with salt crusted baked potatoes.

    I know there are regions in Spain that do salt crusted potatoes as well, but they bury it under the sand instead of baking it in the oven.

    When I saw (and tried) this in Lisbon, I knew right away that it would be one of my regular potato side dishes here in Stockholm.

    It’s all about this dish’s simplicity — the salt brings out the natural flavor of potatoes.  Yum.

    Cakes and Pastries

    Bolo de Mel (Portuguese Honey Cake)

    An overhead shot of a cooled Portuguese Honey Cake, with two slices ready for serving, with some sliced almonds on the side.

    It’s hard to miss the taste of honey in this easy Portuguese recipe — even with your eyes closed.

    This honey cake is so light; it is perfect for snacks, dessert, or even breakfast, and so quick to prepare as well!

    Traditional Dessert

    Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)

    An overhead shot of creamy rice pudding, decorated with cinnamon powder, ready for serving.

    Almost every region in Portugal has its own way of making arroz doce.

    Unlike other desserts that you usually don’t see during the holidays, this traditional Portuguese food is even (typically) served as part of the Christmas eve meal.

    Portuguese rice pudding is a delicious and warm treat that will always have a place in every family gathering.

    So, let me know which Portuguese dish is your favorite! 🙂

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