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!
Read Next:
Deliae Pinto says
I marry a Brazil man and love the food
Como Fazer Sabonete Artesanal says
I am so lucky to be Brazilian!! Love all those foods!! Some of you must try it!
Clube do Importador says
I’m Brazilian and your review was very good!
Ranjan Khadka says
Incredible post. It sounds interesting to know about awesome cuisine. You guys are lucky to taste this unique cuisine.
Thanks a lot for sharing this informative post along mouth-watering cuisine photographs.
Brazil bus tickets says
Nice Article! i love Brazilian food and after reading this article, i am really hungry to taste them.
Paulo says
Very good tips, just missing açaí with strawberry and condensed milk
Andre says
I’m brazilian. Brigadeiro and Pao de Queijo are great! Nice list
Alana says
Hummmm… i love Pão de Queijo!!!
maria says
Mouth Watering Dishes, very good
juliana says
eu adoro o pao de queijo bem quentinho no cafe da manha.
Pedro says
Nice post. Well, I’m from Brazil so I know the kitchen is very good.
I like the picanha and also like sobramesa the brigadier.
Lucas says
I love Brazilian food and I feel like going back there to try the tasty meats. Very good article.
Carlos says
excellent information and very entertaining, keep posting your experiences, I really like to read you
Hotel in Ranchi says
Amazing post! thanks for sharing.
bus tickets brazil says
Nice! Thanks for your articles..these items are looking so delicious and yummy. After seeing these foods…i am feeling hungry.
Andre says
Nice list! Also, for dessert, I’d suggest a bowl of açaí with guaraná and banana! 🙂
Dave and Deb says
Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds delicious!
Carol Gourmet says
I loved the article, especially the Brazilian sweets as the brigadier that are delicious !
Haley says
Yes, so much this! I spent a month in Guaruja a few years ago and this brings me back. I fell in love with hearts of palm thanks to Brazil and it’s the first time I’ve been able to enjoy strong, black coffee without drowning it in milk and sugar.
My favorite, however, was ordering food on the beach one day. We got the English menu and decided to try the “fish pigs” they were offering. We had a good laugh wondering what “fish pigs” could possibly be while we were waiting for our order to be brought out. Turns out they were small, fried shrimp! O-kay. They were good but it left us wondering how in the world “prawns” or “shrimp” managed to get translated into “fish pigs”.
Thanks for the delicious article. I’m hungry now!
Gale says
All of these look delicious! Can’t wait to try Brazilian food. Great post !
Annika | 457 Australia says
This entry is so unfair because it’s making me hungry!
Stonehenge E-Commerce says
I like all these cuisine. Easily find Best Brazilian Cuisine here. Very useful information and amazing photo.
Sumit Vasudeva says
Mouth Watering Dishes 🙂 i wanna test all of them.