There’s something absolutely magical about Portuguese savory cooking that goes way beyond just throwing ingredients together, it’s this incredible ability to transform the simplest, most humble ingredients into something that’ll make you close your eyes and go “hmmmmm” with pure satisfaction! ;D
We’re talking about a cuisine that takes fresh seafood straight from the Atlantic, combines it with fragrant herbs, quality olive oil, and centuries-old techniques, then serves it up with that unmistakable Portuguese soul that makes every bite feel like a warm hug from someone’s Portuguese grandmother, that’s the thing, sometimes these are complicated dishes other times it’s the simplest of things.
From the crispy, golden pataniscas de bacalhau that practically melt in your mouth to those perfectly grilled sardines that taste like summer itself, Portuguese savory cooking has this amazing knack for making you feel completely at home, whether you’re sitting in a tiny tasca in Lisbon or trying to recreate these flavors in your own kitchen. These aren’t just recipes, they’re little pieces of Portuguese culture that have been passed down through generations, each one telling a story of coastal fishing villages, bustling markets, and families gathering around tables laden with platters of deliciousness.
What I absolutely love about these traditional Portuguese savoury dishes is how they prove that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to create something truly spectacular, just good quality basics, a bit of patience, and that Portuguese philosophy of letting each ingredient shine in its own beautiful way. Whether we’re talking about tender steamed mussels perfumed with garlic and herbs, crispy fried mackerel that’s been kissed by sea salt, or hearty octopus rice that’s comfort food at its absolute finest, each recipe in this collection represents the very best of what Portuguese cooking is all about.
This list has no specific order and its all up to my taste today hahaha, let’s check it out!
Essential Savory Dishes You’ll Love from Portugal
Portuguese Fried Pork Patties – The great thing about portuguese fried patties, is that after you have a hang on the dough, you can just fill them with whatever you like, from meat, to fish or even other less common fillings like vegetables.
Portuguese Octopus Rice – You gotta love tender octopus rice, this is a absolute portuguese classic, we all know you octopus is only good cooked very fast or very very slow, this is the slow kind… delicious ;D
Portuguese Fried Green Beans with Batter – This is a more rustic variation of a portuguese peixinhos da horta, the portuguese percursor to the japanese tempura ;D
Portuguese Hunter’s Rabbit Stew – This is maybe my best way to cook rabbit, it is soooo delicious, just the sauce is absolutely divine, the tender rabbit is just a plus!
Portuguese Codfish Fritters – Gotta love this classic portuguese snack, its perfect because its super easy to make and a great way to make use of codfish leftovers (i know i know, there are never any codfish lefttovers in Portugal hahahaha).
Portuguese Meat Croquettes – Gotta love meat croquetes, the portuguese style is very meaty normally made with slow roasted meats from pork to beef, just well season, its a fantastic snack!
Portuguese Grilled Sardines – Just keep it simple stupid, right! Hehehe portuguese style grilled sardines are just that, well seasoned grilled fat sardines, its as much cooking as choosing the fattest sardines to grill!
Portuguese Tender Stewed Squid – Its the image of the article, tender squid is a classic in Portugal, i know its 99% of the time served with boiled potatoes, but i fancied spaguetti on that day hahaha!
Some Extra Cooking Tips Directly from Portugal
- For authentic flavor, seek out Portuguese olive oil if possible, it has a distinct character that makes a difference.
- Portuguese cooking often uses moderate heat and patience, don’t rush the process.
- Many dishes benefit from being made a day ahead as flavors develop overnight, or parts of the preparation is made a day before.
- Always have good rustic portuguese bread on hand to soak up sauces and olive oil.
- A simple green salad or boiled potatoes often accompany main dishes.
- Portuguese Vinho Verde pairs beautifully with seafood dishes. For heartier fares like rabbit stew, try a Portuguese red like Douro or Alentejo wines
And that’s it, I hope you liked these yummy recommendations from Portugal!
