Brazilian food and food culture is unlike anything else in the world. Local cuisine is an incredible mix of everything from exotic fruits and vegetables from the Amazon forests, seafood dishes influenced by the Mediterranean, indigenous foods and traditional recipes, and both Portuguese and African-influenced foodstuffs.
This truly global fusion presents a mouth-watering culinary experience unique to the region, and even unique to just Brazil. So, whether you’re planning to visit Brazil or just want to experience some of their dishes a lot closer to home, here are some of the absolute must-try foods. There’s something for everyone, as long as you aren’t shy about hearty meals and a unique, enjoyable experience.
Pao de Queijo
Pao de queijo is the Brazilian spin on a recipe classic found just about everywhere in the world in some form or another: cheese rolls! They’re quite similar to a lot of cheese-infused bread rolls and biscuits, but there’s one major difference that sets them apart from other forms of cheesy bread: rather than a base of the usual wheat or all-purpose flour, they’re made with tapioca flour. This flour is a sweeter and starchier kind of flour that makes for a sweeter and less savory base.
Feijoada
Feijoada is Brazil’s national dish, and it’s a common meal centerpiece eaten all around the year and all across the country. It’s rich, it’s savory, it’s hearty, and it’s packed with protein. What is it? Brazilian black bean stew!Feijoada comes in many forms and has many recipes. After all, it’s a stew; every household has its own variation to suit the tastes of the family it feeds, and that’s what makes it truly special. It’s a distillation of both familial culture and national identity.
Farofa
Farofa is a very interesting dish made of chunks of bacon fried with cassava flour, and served over a mixture of rice and beans that absorb the juices and add texture to the meal. It’s salty, it’s smokey, it’s savory, and it’s often spiced to the tastes of the people making it.
Moqueca
Another common sort of stew you’ll find all over Brazil is some form of moqueca, like moqueca de peixe or moqueca de camarao. They’re all variations of essentially the same thing: a seafood stew using fish and prawns or shrimp. The stew base is a coconut oil and milk broth with plenty of vegetables and spices like coriander, onions, and more.
Pastel de Nata
Another dish of Portuguese origin, pastel de nata is the first dessert on our list. Brazilians love a good sweet treat as much as the rest of us, so it should come as no surprise that these egg tarts are a delectable merger of flaky puff pastry, egg custard with lemon, and a topping of cinnamon sugar.
Vatapa
What makes the stew so thick? The ingredients! It’s often made with additions, including bread and ground peanuts, alongside coconut milk, herbs, and more. You might be forgiven for thinking it was a form of hearty peanut butter at first glance!
Finally, the stew is topped off with a main ingredient, often shrimp, but can also have tuna, cod, chicken, or even just vegetables as the stars of the show. Overall, it’s a thick and filling meal, especially with rice, and it’s a must-try dish you won’t find anywhere else.