Top 10 Brazilian Foods to Eat in Brazil

Going to Brazil and want to know what Brazilian Cuisine is all about? Or perhaps you want to make some traditional Brazilian food at home?

We break down all the best Brazilian dishes to have your own Brazilian barbecue and to try when you visit South America’s most exciting country!

There are few cities in the world that rival Rio’s beauty and energy. The people of Rio know how to party.

From the dinner at outstanding chucuscuria’s to Brazil’s delicious national drink, we’ve got you covered.

Best Brazilian Foods to Cook Right Now

So get your shopping list ready, this weekend calls for a feast of Brazilian food.

1. Brazilian Barbecue

Vegetarians beware, meat is king in Brazil. When I think of Brazil food, the first thing that pops into my head is a visit to a churrascaria (A Brazilian Grill).

If you want to go all out for a Brazilian themed party, you must have choice cuts of meat. And lots of it!

There are Brazilian Barbecues all around North America now so you can go out and sample some traditional Brazilian cuisine at a restaurant near you before you give it a go at home.

• Are you Vegetarian? Read our 15 tips for Easy Vegan Travel

What can one expect at a churrascaria? A belly so full you’ll be in a food coma for hours afterward.

The meal begins with a huge buffet of vegetables, salads, sushi, and pasta. Don’t fill up too much here as the main meal hasn’t even been served yet.

• Want to try making Brazilian Cuisine at home? Get your copy of 65 Classic Recipes  – The Food and Cooking of Brazil

Within minutes men dressed in crisp white shirts bring endless cuts of meats to your table slicing off pieces with precision perfection. When you make Brazilian food, include any type of meat you want from sausages to steaks, put them on metal skewers and they are ready to go.

• Check out our suggestions for where to stay in Rio. 

2. Coffee and Pastries

When we visited Rio, the Confeitaria Colombo located downtown was packed with locals enjoying high tea and pastries.

Rio may be all things latin, but this celebrated coffee shop was modelled after a traditional Parisian café.

I can understand why the people of Rio embraced the Parisian coffee culture, Brazil has the best coffee in the world. Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world.

3. Feijoada

The traditional Brazilian feijoada is a stewed black bean dish cooked in beef and pork. This dish is considered the national dish of Brazil and you’ll find it on every buffet in Rio de Janiero.

The black beans are mixed with salted pork or beef. But the good cuts are left for the churrascarias.

The beans get all the trimmings like ears, feet and tails. If that doesn’t sound appetizing, just think sausage.

Sausage is always stuffed with the bits of the animal.

Add some rice and beans to the mix and you’ve got one fatty delicious dish!

• If you want the full recipe, check out BBC food

4. Hearts of Palm

Dave and I have had hearts of palm in the past, but we really fell in love with it in Brazil.

Their hearts of palm salads were refreshing and delicious.

Hearts of palm were served everywhere in Brazil and we took advantage of eating them.

So dust off that old can of hearts of palm you’ve had in your cupboards for years and create a hearts of palm salad.

Mic iceberg lettuce with fresh vegetables, hearts of palm, olive oil, vinegarette dressing and with a little salt and pepper.

5. Caipirinha

Move over Mojito, the Caipirinha is set to take over cocktail lounges around the world.

The Caipirinha is a refreshing lime based cocktail blended with Brazil’s national spirit the cachaça,

Cachaça, is a lot like rum but made from distilled sugar cane. If you can’t get your hands on cachaça, you can use rum, but your local liquor store should have some in stock.

The popular choice is Pitu Cachaça. Grab some limes, sugar and ice and that’s all you need!

It’s easy to make and I could write all about it, but watch our video on how to make a Caipirinha for a complete lesson on how to make you own Caipirinhas.

• What our video of how to make a Caipirinha here.

More Brazilian Cuisine

6. Pasteis

Later in the evening, break out the Pasteis for some quick and delicious finger foods. These deep-fried treats are pastries filled with everything from cheese, fish and meats and vegetables.

Fish balls are a popular choice that we had often in Rio.

Dip the pastries in hot sauce like Tabasco and you are good to go. If you want to learn how to make the pastry that you can fill with anything, check out this recipe.

• Loving Brazil Cuisine? You’ll love our guide to Greek Food Too! 

7. Pão de Queijo

Who doesn’t love cheese? During our first meal in Brazil, our hosts told us we have to try the cheese bread.

Made this the cassava flour, this typical dish of Brazil is mouth-wateringly delicious!

 After trying it at our next meal, we ate it again and again. Pão de queijo is a roll filled with cheese. Eat it while it’s hot.

Many places took this dish one step further and skipped the bread and simply served us hunks of deep-fried cheese. It was heavenly.

• Interested in more than just Brazil Food? Check out this post to understand the culture better: Pacifying Rio’s Favelas

8. Moqueca

Moqueca is a fish stew prepared in a clay pot. The fish is slow-cooked with coconut milk, diced tomatoes, garlic, and coriander.

Fish can be any saltwater fish whitefish or make it something everyone will like with Shrimp!

Traveling to Brazil? Pick up your copy of the Lonely Planet Brazil to help you with Brazilian food and travel tips

9. Brigadeiro

There are many choices for dessert in Brazil but the Brigadeiro is to die for. This rich, thick and gooey chocolate is a Brazilian chocolate truffle made from condensed milk, cocoa, and chocolate sprinkles.

This will satisfy your sweet tooth indeed.

10. Acarajé

When it comes to trying Street Foods, we love it. Just make sure you only eat food that’s been cooked thoroughly and keep an eye out for crowds of locals. If it’s busy, the food will be fresh!

Acarajé is a delicious treat made of crushed black eyed peas that is deep-fried in palm oil and stuffed with pureed shrimp.

Be sure to have a side of chili sauce to accompany it!

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