I am so ready to dive into these warm and filling Portuguese sides. You will find a lot of carb-heavy favorites like rice and corn and potatoes here.
But do not worry about the health factor too much because the fats are generally low. These 10 recipes rely on fresh ingredients rather than heavy salt or sugar.
It is time to get cozy with some of my favorite Portuguese classics.
1. Portuguese Potato, Tuna, and Olive Salad
This is not the mayonnaise-heavy spread you might put on a sandwich. It is a thick and chunky salad meant to be enjoyed on its own.
You just need to boil the eggs and cook the potatoes before mixing it all up. The combination of chickpeas and tuna and olives delivers a huge hit of earthy umami flavor.
It is hearty enough to keep you full for hours thanks to the eggs and potatoes. I love how the olive oil and vinegar dressing keeps things tasting fresh.
2. Caldo Verde
This soup features some sausage but focuses mainly on healthy ingredients like kale and potatoes. It comes together in about 45 minutes.
You get a hearty and flavorful bowl that is perfect for the colder months. It is packed with onions and garlic too.
3. Portuguese Roasted Potatoes
Nobody makes roasted potatoes quite like the Portuguese. These are exceptionally crispy and carry a little bit of spice.
I usually leave the sausage out to focus on the seasonings and the potatoes themselves. But adding the meat turns this into the ultimate definition of meat and potatoes.
The 90 minute cooking time might feel long but please trust me on this. You need that time to get the perfect crispy texture.
4. Portuguese Tomato Rice
Arroz de tomate is exactly what it claims to be. It is rice cooked down with plenty of tomatoes for a rich flavor.
You will use some bacon fat and broth and aromatics like onion and garlic. The tomato and rice really steal the show here.
It tastes absolutely scrumptious even without any added meat. It reminds me of a simple macaroni and tomato juice soup my grandmother used to make.
5. Portuguese Fried Potatoes
Portuguese chefs are masters of frying potatoes too. You slice the potatoes thin and smother them in a mix of butter and olive oil.
Seasonings include salt and pepper and rosemary. The flavor profile is relatively mild but they are unbelievably yummy.
6. Milho Frito
These little bites look and taste a bit like oversized croutons. But the texture is unique because they are made from fried cornmeal or polenta.
They are tasty and herby treats. Milho frito is softer than a traditional crouton and holds onto that delicious corn flavor.
7. Garlic Bread
This recipe definitely makes my top five list for garlic bread. The unique method involves baking the garlic right into the dough rather than spreading it on top.
You avoid the greasy mess of herb butter while ensuring every bite is infused with flavor. You can absolutely dust the top with extra garlic powder if you want.
It is so good that I might need to move it into my top three favorites.
8. Broa de Milho (Portuguese Corn Bread)
This Portuguese version is nothing like the American cornbread you know. It forms a large round loaf with beautiful cracks across the top.
The interior is dense and tightly packed with a subtly sweet flavor. It pairs perfectly with just about anything on your table.
You will love the crispy exterior texture.
9. Portuguese Salad
You need about 45 minutes for this recipe but most of that is just chilling time. It is a simple matter of chopping and mixing your veggies.
The result is a cold and refreshing salad that shines in the summer. Ingredients include crisp tomatoes and cucumbers and red peppers.
You toss it all with olives and onions and fresh herbs like mint and coriander. A simple dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar finishes it off.
10. Acorda (Portuguese Bread Soup)
This gorgeous green soup is quite a sight to behold. Each bowl features a poached egg and a large chunk of bread.
The rest of the ingredients are very simple staples like garlic and cilantro and olive oil. It is incredibly flavorful despite the short shopping list.
The bread and egg make it filling enough for a meal.