Portuguese cuisine is unique and diverse, and the menu has something to please every palate, including dishes for seafood lovers and meat lovers.
Portuguese cuisine is full of bold flavours, and many Portuguese recipes feature potatoes, garlic, onion and rice.
If you're not planning a trip to Portugal, don't worry: Portuguese food is available in restaurants and bakeries across the United States.
Popular Portuguese dishes include grilled sardines and custard pastries. (Getty Images)
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If you're feeling ambitious, you can even make some of the most popular Portuguese dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Below are some popular dishes worth trying:
- Bacalhau a Bras (Salted Cod)
- Polvo a lagaleiro (octopus with olive oil and potatoes)
- Arroz de Pato (duck rice)
- Sardinhas asadas (grilled sardines)
- Cataplana de mariscos (seafood stew)
- Pastel de nata (custard tart)
1. Bacalhau a Bras (salted cod)
Bacalhau, or salted cod, is one of the most popular foods in Portugal.
Bacalhau a Bras is a fish dish.
According to Food & Wine magazine, bacalhau a brás is made with shredded cod mixed with chopped onion, French fries, and thinly sliced scrambled eggs.
This dish is traditionally garnished with parsley and olives.
Bacalhau a Bras is a mixture of ingredients including shredded cod, potatoes and onions. (Paul Yen/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
2. Polvo a lagaleiro (Octopus with olive oil and potatoes)
A popular seafood dish in Portugal is polvo a ragaleiro (octopus served with olive oil and potatoes).
Although this dish is simple, cooking octopus perfectly is tricky.
According to Portugal.com, the ideal texture is soft, not rubbery.
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In this dish, octopus is grilled in olive oil and lots of garlic and served with mashed, seasoned potatoes.
3. Arroz de Pato (duck rice)
Arroz de pato, or duck rice, is another dish that requires few ingredients but is packed with flavor.
This dish consists of shredded duck meat served over rice with chorizo, a Portuguese sausage.
If you make this dish at home, don't throw away the duck broth – you can use it to add flavor to the rice.
Chorizo, a Portuguese sausage, is used in many dishes. (Bob Henry/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Arroz de pato is usually served on special occasions such as Sunday dinner or holidays like Christmas and New Year.
4. Sardinhas asadas (grilled sardines)
Sardinian asada (grilled sardines) may seem a little intimidating to the uninitiated, but it's a beloved dish in Portugal.
The dish is eaten all year round in Portugal, but is especially popular in Lisbon during St. Anthony's Day, Food & Wine notes.
The sardines are marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic and other seasonings before being grilled.
Grilled sardines with olive oil and seasonings are a must-try dish when in Portugal. (Horacio Villalobos #476916#51B ED/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Grilled sardines are often served on toasted bread.
5. Cataplana de mariscos (seafood stew)
If you like seafood, this dish is loaded with it.
This stew is made with a rich selection of seafood, including fresh fish, clams, and shrimp.
White wine, olive oil, potatoes, onions, garlic and tomatoes are also the main ingredients of this popular dish.
6. Pastel de Nata (Custard Tart)
Rounding out the list are some delicious sweet treats.
This pastry is crispy on the outside and filled with sweet custard in the center.
According to All Recipes, the custard is made with milk, cornstarch, vanilla bean, sugar, and egg yolks.
Pastel de nata is sold in Portuguese bakeries across the United States. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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The pastry is often sprinkled with cinnamon and is typically eaten with coffee.
