Brazilian Food: 12 Authentic Brazilian Dishes That You Need to Try
Trying some Brazilian authentic dishes would be such a great experience! If you’re in Latin America, this should be a part of your bucket list.
Amazon, Anaconda, FIFA World Cup Champions, 2016 Olimpiade, and Samba. Those are probably the words that crossed your mind when you hear the word Brazil. But Brazil is not only that. This is “A tropical country blessed by God, and beautiful by nature,” Former US President Barack Obama said about Brazil. You can literally experience almost everything here, from the wild Amazon to the hype parties in Copacabana.
Besides popularity with its nature, attraction, and sports, Brazil also has so many authentic dishes that are as delicious as any other country. Not too different from other tropical countries, Brazilian dishes are also made with coconut milk, beans, and cassava. And don’t forget about its coffee since Brazil is the largest coffee exporter in the world. Here we have the list of 12 types of Brazilian dishes that you should have to try when you’re visiting this samba country.
Table of Contents
1. Moqueca
Moqueca, a savory dish that is claimed by two different regions in Brazil as their authentic dish, they’re Bagus (read as Bahus) and Espirito Santo. This dish uses fish or meat as the main ingredient and then cooked along with palm oil, coconut milk, spices like coriander and garlic, and diced tomatoes.
Moqueca that’s made by Bahia is seasoned with vegetable oil, pepper, and coconut milk. While the Espirito Santo makes a Moqueca that is served with rice, Farofa, and Pirao. Both carry one similarity, that is its deliciousness.
2. Pão De Queijo
If you love processed cheese, you better try Pão De Queijo while you’re staying in Brazil. This dish is not only popular in the capital state of Brazilia, but also in other places such as Rio de Janeiro. Locals usually enjoy Pão De Queijo as a snack and you can find it anywhere. Every place has this menu all the time.
Pão De Queijo is made from tapioca flour, eggs, and Munas cheese. It is formed like a ball shape and is filled with cream or any other filling depending on your taste. The texture of this dish is crunchy on the outside and soft, mild, and chewy on the inside. It’s best served while it is still hot or warm with a glass of coffee or tea as a companion.
3. Feijoada
Black bean is the main commodity in Latin America, that’s why there are so many types of black bean cuisine here. Brazilian’s most famous and common black bean dish is Feijoada. This is a type of black bean soup that is boiled along with meat and sausage. It has a savory and delicious taste. Feijoada is preferably served while it is still warm and is perfect with bread or rice. This dish is a must-have dish while you’re staying in Rio de Janeiro.
4. Acaraje
Who doesn’t love fries? Every place in this world has their own signature fries. The same goes with Brazil. Acaraje is the best Brazilian fries you can get while you’re in this beautiful country.
It is made from mashed black-eyed peas mixed with vegetable oil and onion paste. The dough then formed like a small and thin shaped before deep-frying. To make it more special, a shrimp is placed on top of the fries along with chile or pepper to make it more spicy and delicious.
This dish is a popular street food that you can easily find throughout Brazil.
5. Vatapa
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If you’re staying in the north or northeast Brazil, you have to try this dish, it is called Vatapa. This traditional dish is made from bread, coconut milk, and shrimp that is ground with peanut and palm oil until it becomes a paste. Served along with white rice, Vatapa is one of the most popular common dishes in Brazil. The shrimp can be substituted with chicken, turkey, or tuna.
6. Coxinha
Coxinha or locals also call it chicken thighs since this dish looks like chicken thighs. This is a fries made from flour dough filled with shredded cheese chicken, sometimes cheese and covered with bread flour then deep-fried in palm oil.
Enjoyed as a snack, Coxinha is best served while it is still warm and if you dipped it in the tomato sauce or mayonnaise, it will taste better. You can find this dish in the street stalls or even restaurants all over Brazil.
7. Empadão
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Calling all pie lovers, when you’re visiting Brazil don’t ever miss this dish, Empadão. Empadão is the original version of Empanadillas and has a larger size and appearance like a pie. You can find Empadão in almost every bakery in Brazil since it is a very popular dish.
The Empadão is a baked casserole that is filled with chicken or mixed vegetables. This dish is often served as a lunch or dinner menu for family gatherings. It tastes like a chicken pot but less creamy.
8. Quindim
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If you asked ‘what is Brazilian’s national dessert?’ Quindim is the answer. This dish came from Bahia and is widely known in every corner of Brazil. Quindim is evidence of the existence of African and European in South America.
Quindim is like a pudding made from eggs, sugar, coconut, and margarine. It has a small size and is shaped like a cup. It would be perfect if you will eat it with shredded coconut on top of it. The mild and delicate texture will never be upsetting your tongue. Make sure to try this one while you’re in Brazil.
9. Brigadeiros
Almost everybody in the world loves chocolate. Nowadays there are various types of chocolate that you can try and it’s limitless. In Brazil, you might want to try its authentic chocolate dessert called Brigadeiro.
Brigadeiro is a chocolate truffle made from condensed chocolate and cream and covered with sprinkle chocolate. It is available in almost every bakery and gift shop. You can bring it home as a gift for relatives as well.
10. Acai
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One of Amazon’s endemic palms is Acai berry. Acai berry is a fruit that has so much nutrition and has good taste. In Brazil, besides being eaten while it’s still fresh, Acai berries can be a good dish like this one.
Named as its original ingredient, Acai is a dish that looks like porridge and is enjoyed as a healthy breakfast. It can also be mixed with other ingredients such as granola and other berries.
11. Mousse de Maracuja
Another pudding-like dessert that you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Brazil is Mousse de Maracuja. This is a traditional dessert that’s easy to make and has a delicious flavor. It is made from heavy cream and passion fruit.
The combination of cream pudding and passion fruit makes a fresh, sweet, and sour tastes at the same time. The passion fruit itself has a lot of vitamins such as vitamins A and C, antioxidants, fiber, minerals.
12. Cachaca
After being satisfied with Brazilian dishes, don’t leave out the drinks. One of the most popular drinks that you have to try in Brazil is Cachaca. This is a cocktail drink that has existed in Brazil since the 16th century. This drink is believed to upgrade your exhausted state after exploring the city. Cachaca is mostly enjoyed at night during a party or just gathering with relatives.
This drink is made from lime mixed with a caipirinha. Caipirinha is a Brazilian traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented sugar cane extract. You can find Cachaca in every bar in Brazil and it has various types and is fermented in a wooden drum.
That’s all of our Brazilian dishes list that might make you want to try when you’re staying there. Which one is attracting your taste and makes you eager to try? Make sure to not eat too much so you can try other food as well!
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