Brazilian cuisine, the 12 traditional dishes of Brazilian cuisine

Are you all set to come to Brazil, or maybe you’re just curious about our country’s cuisine? Whatever the reason, we have prepared this complete article about Brazilian cuisine.

Here you will discover our typical dishes and get a complete overview of our culinary diversity. Let me tell you, just as vast as our country is, so is the diversity of its cuisine. Keep reading to learn more.

Characteristics of Brazilian Cuisine

Brazilian cuisine reflects the vastness and diversity of our country. With a great variety of dishes, you certainly won’t be able to imagine all the flavors our cuisine has to offer. This diversity of dishes is a reflection of the influence of various cultures from the colonial era, as well as other historical events that have shaped our country.

In addition to influences from other cultures, such as African and Portuguese, we also have the influence of indigenous cuisine and, most importantly, the fauna and climate of each region. As Brazil is a country of vast territorial extension, its cuisine reflects the natural characteristics of each region, resulting in a myriad of flavors.

All of this has made Brazil today a land of countless flavors. There are various ways to prepare meats, vegetables, grains, and other ingredients. Let’s explore some of these delicious Brazilian dishes below.

The Most Traditional Dishes of Brazilian Cuisine

We are going to introduce you to the most famous and most appreciated dishes by Brazilians. Remember that our cuisine is very diverse, so there is much more that might not be covered here.

Feijoada

It’s impossible to come to Brazil and not enjoy the most typical food of our country: feijoada. This dish is famous throughout the territory. In any Brazilian state you visit, you will find this dish in some restaurant. We could define it as an explosion of flavors.

Feijoada’s main ingredients are black beans, pork, and bay leaves. However, don’t be surprised if you find more ingredients, as it is very common in each region for the cook to add their own touch. Feijoada is served with a portion of rice, collard greens, and a few slices of orange.

This dish is served during festive moments and family gatherings. Brazilians love feijoada accompanied by cold beer and the sound of good samba. Feijoada is a dish typical of Rio de Janeiro, and if you are there, you will find it everywhere. In other regions, as I mentioned before, you can also find this dish, but unlike Rio, it may not be as easy to come by.

Churrasco

Brazil is one of the largest meat producers in the world, and this reflects how much Brazilians appreciate meat. One of the most common dishes you can expect to find in Brazil is churrasco (barbecue). It’s a dish that is part of the everyday life of Brazilians. It is so popular that you will often come across street vendors selling skewered barbecue.

Basically, the meat is grilled for several hours on an open charcoal barbecue grill. To accompany it, Brazilians use rice, vinaigrette – tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers cut into very small cubes, seasoned with salt, olive oil, and vinegar – as well as garlic bread and farofa. Another interesting aspect of Brazilian churrasco is that it doesn’t just include red meat but also chicken wings, drumsticks, and sausages.

Unlike other cultures, Brazilians use special cuts of meat when preparing churrasco – some say it makes all the difference in the flavor and final texture. These are cuts of beef found only here, such as picanha, maminha, and alcatra. In addition, the meat is seasoned only with coarse salt, preserving the natural flavor of the meat as much as possible.

Brazilian barbecue is a popular social event among family and friends, with a long duration. It’s not uncommon for a barbecue to start in the morning and only end at night, and then resume early the next day. This event is usually accompanied by lots of music, such as samba, pagode, and sertanejo, as well as plenty of beer.

Feijão Tropeiro

Beans are undoubtedly a very versatile ingredient in Brazilian cuisine. Besides feijoada, another very popular dish among Brazilians is feijão tropeiro. In short, it’s beans without broth, mixed with manioc flour. The preparation of feijão tropeiro varies greatly depending on the region and the cook. Generally speaking, the ingredients for feijão tropeiro are: beans, bacon, pork rinds, boiled eggs, sausage, dried beef, onions, and some extra ingredients.

This dish is very abundant in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the country, but you can also find it in other regions. It is a symbol of the history of the tropeiros (cowboys) of the region. Feijão tropeiro is a very versatile dish. Brazilians like to serve it at general social events, but it’s not uncommon for it to be enjoyed during family and friends’ gatherings.

Frango Caipira

Here is one of the most famous traditional Brazilian dishes. Common in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás, frango caipira (country chicken) is recognized as one of the tastiest dishes in Brazilian cuisine. As a native of Minas Gerais, I’m biased to talk about this dish – I simply love it! Unlike in other cultures, frango caipira is made with free-range chickens raised naturally in rural areas. It’s a kind of stew with a richer texture and flavor.

Frango caipira is a special dish because its key ingredient is the free-range chicken. In the rural areas of cities in the interior of Minas Gerais and Goiás, artisan rearing of chickens predominates. The meat from these chickens has a much different flavor compared to that of commercial broilers, giving the dish a special “touch.”

Besides the chicken itself, there is also the seasoning used in its preparation. The seasoning is something very particular to each cook, being a “secret” that gives the cook the merit of the dish’s indescribable flavor. As mentioned, this is a typical dish of the interior of the Southeastern states of the country. Usually, it is enjoyed with rice and beans, two basic accompaniments of Brazilian cuisine.

Baião de Dois

This may sound repetitive, but here is yet another popular dish whose main ingredients are rice and beans. What makes Baião de Dois special is that, finally, rice and beans combine to form a unique dish. Baião de Dois, like other traditional dishes, is enhanced with other ingredients such as dried meat – sun-dried salted beef – garlic, coriander, onions, and bell peppers.

The name of the dish reveals its predominant region: the Northeast. Generally speaking, it is served with farofa, vinaigrette, and roasted meat. Like feijão tropeiro, it is served at open social events, such as community gatherings.

Fish Moqueca

Brazilians love enjoying white meat, especially when it’s prepared in the form of moqueca. Fish moqueca is a delicious traditional Brazilian dish that combines many flavors. To put it in perspective, moqueca is similar to a fish stew, but the broth is thicker and has a very vibrant color. You will find moqueca in abundance in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, where it is very common to enjoy it by the beach.

One of the reasons behind moqueca’s unique flavor is its method of preparation. It’s very common for it to be made in a clay pot and cooked slowly, a method that guarantees the perfect blend and harmony of flavors. Besides the fish, other ingredients include coconut milk, olive oil, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and more. So, if you go to any Brazilian beach, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a delicious moqueca.

Cuscuz

Cuscuz is a very traditional dish in the Northeast region of Brazil, and it’s no wonder it has become one of the most beloved dishes for breakfast there. Made from cornmeal, cuscuz has a soft texture and a flavor that adapts to different combinations. It can be served either sweet or savory, making the dish even more versatile and cherished.

To prepare cuscuz, the cornmeal is hydrated with water and then steamed, usually in a cuscuzeira – a traditional utensil found in practically every northeastern kitchen. After cooking, cuscuz can be served plain or with butter, queijo coalho, eggs, or dried beef. Every family has its preferred way of savoring cuscuz, and it often becomes the centerpiece of breakfast or afternoon snacks.

In addition to its delicious flavor, cuscuz is highly nutritious and energetic, explaining why it is so popular among workers in the region. It offers a good dose of carbohydrates and can be enriched with protein depending on the accompaniments. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to taste traditional northeastern cuscuz, don’t hesitate – it’s a true icon of regional Brazilian cuisine.

Tapioca

Tapioca is another traditional dish from the Northeast that has gained popularity throughout Brazil. Made from cassava starch, tapioca is an extremely versatile dish, suitable for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or even a light meal. Its texture is unique: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and it is an excellent option for those following a gluten-free diet.

The preparation of tapioca is quite simple. The starch is spread in a hot frying pan until it forms a kind of white pancake. Then, you simply fill it with whatever you prefer – the options are endless! You can fill it with queijo coalho, dried meat, chicken, grated coconut, condensed milk, among many other possibilities. This versatility is one of the reasons why tapioca has conquered the country.

Tapioca is light and very tasty, loved both for its simplicity and for its possibilities for customization. Besides being part of the everyday Brazilian diet, tapioca also evokes fond memories, especially for those who grew up in the Northeast and had this characteristic flavor as part of their childhood.

Minas Cheese Bread

It’s hard to talk about Brazilian cuisine without mentioning Minas cheese bread, a true icon of Minas Gerais cuisine. Made with manioc starch, eggs, milk, and, of course, cheese – usually Minas cheese – pão de queijo is one of those flavors that makes your mouth water just by smelling it. It is traditionally served for breakfast or afternoon snacks, but the truth is that any moment is perfect for savoring this delight.

Pão de queijo has a unique texture, crispy on the outside and soft and elastic on the inside, with a strong cheese flavor that makes anyone fall in love at the first bite. Its recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, and today it is part of the cultural identity not only of Minas Gerais but of all of Brazil. In Minas, it is more than just a simple snack; it is a way of welcoming people, a symbol of hospitality.

In many places, you will find pão de queijo accompanied by a good brewed coffee, creating an authentic and cozy experience. Minas cheese bread is something everyone should try when visiting Brazil, a delicious example of the simplicity and care that are present in our cuisine.

Galinhada

Galinhada is a typical dish from Goiás, but it is also found in various regions of the country, especially in the Midwest. Made with chicken and rice, this is a complete dish that blends flavor and practicality, making it one of the favorite meals for family gatherings. Galinhada is a clear example of traditional Brazilian cuisine, using simple ingredients that come together to create a flavorful and comforting meal.

The secret to galinhada lies in the combination of seasonings. The chicken is cooked with plenty of garlic, onions, pepper, and annatto, which gives the dish its characteristic and appetizing yellowish color. In addition to the chicken, rice is added, which absorbs all the flavors of the seasoning and meat, forming an incredibly tasty and comforting dish.

Often, galinhada is enriched with vegetables, such as carrots and peas, and also with green onions to finish. This is a dish prepared on special occasions, such as birthdays or Sunday lunches when you want to share a delicious moment with loved ones. Galinhada is more than a dish of rice and chicken – it’s a symbol of family gatherings and tradition.

Bean Broth

Bean broth is one of the simplest and yet tastiest recipes in Brazilian cuisine. It is especially popular during winter when its warming power is more than welcome. Made from the broth of cooked beans, it is seasoned with garlic, onions, and spices that make the flavor irresistible. Many Brazilians love to add bits of bacon, sausage, or even cracklings, creating a delicious combination.

Bean broth is usually served as a starter or snack, but depending on the accompaniments, it can become a complete meal. It is common to add green onions on top and sometimes a bit of pepper for an extra kick. It’s also served with bread or toast, and no one can resist this combination.

This simplicity is what makes bean broth such a special dish. It carries the flavor of everyday Brazilian life, a meal that is part of the table of many families, especially on cold nights. And, being so nutritious, it’s an excellent option for recharging energy and warming both body and soul.

Vatapá

Vatapá is one of the most representative dishes of Bahian cuisine, with a blend of flavors that reflects the African influence in Brazilian cooking. Made with stale bread, dried shrimp, coconut milk, palm oil, peanuts, and cashews, vatapá has a creamy texture and an unparalleled flavor. It is a dish that is part of Bahia’s tradition and is usually served as an accompaniment to acarajé, another typical delicacy of the region.

Preparing vatapá involves blending the ingredients into a homogeneous paste, which is then cooked slowly with coconut milk and palm oil. This slow cooking gives vatapá its velvety texture and a deep flavor that spreads across the palate. Each Bahian family has its own twist on the recipe, whether it’s adjusting the spices or the consistency, but the essence of the dish remains: a true treasure of Afro-Brazilian cuisine.

Vatapá is typically served at traditional celebrations, such as Carnival and São João, and it is part of the acarajé sold by the baianas on the streets. If you’re in Bahia, it’s practically a must to try this unique dish, which is a true explosion of flavors and a demonstration of the richness of our cuisine.

Conclusion

Brazilian cuisine is incredibly diverse, and each dish carries a part of our history, our culture, and our passion for rich and intense flavors. Whether you are a lover of meat, corn-based delights, or fish and seafood dishes, Brazil has something that will delight your palate.

Our cuisine is a celebration of local ingredients, indigenous, African, and European influences that have been incorporated over the centuries. If you have the opportunity to visit Brazil, make sure to try these dishes and find out for yourself what makes our cuisine so unique and delicious. After all, getting to know Brazil also means allowing yourself to savor each of these delights that tell a little bit of our story.

We hope you enjoyed this article and that it further piques your curiosity about our gastronomy. Try it, venture out, and discover the flavors of Brazil!