Traditional Portuguese Food to Try in Winter
Comfort Foods You Won’t Want to Miss
Though the Algarve may be known for its blue skies and mild winters, when the temperatures start dropping, there’s nothing like cosying up around the table and filling up on warming comfort food. After all, winter comfort foods feel like a warm hug – one filled with the pleasure of new flavours dancing on your tastebuds as you sample every bite of deliciousness.
With Portugal rated 4th in Tasteatlas’ 100 Best Cuisines in the World, you may be wondering which traditional Portuguese foods to try this winter… So we’ve put together a list of comfort foods you won’t want to miss – whether you’re exploring new restaurants or enjoying a private chef experience in your very own LUX MARE kitchen. Dive in and discover these unmissable Portuguese flavours this winter!
Warming Soups
No list of winter foods is complete without a nod to soups, and when talking about Portugal, soups are a definite must. A year-round staple for Portuguese people young and old, soups are so popular in the country that McDonald’s Portugal even added a soup option to its menu! From a ‘standard’ vegetable soup you’ll find on most restaurant menus to creamy and broth-based options, there’s certainly no shortage of soup, which, as expected, becomes even more popular when temperatures drop, making it a traditional Portuguese food you won’t want to miss in winter.
Açorda (Bread Soup)
Though not from the Algarve itself, Açorda can often be found on restaurant menus across southern Portugal. A dish traditionally from the Alentejo, its most common description – bread soup – simply doesn’t do it justice, with a combination of bread and water, garlic and oil, coriander and egg – and often some sort of protein, usually cod – coming together to form a delicious meal that is both surprisingly hearty and warming.
Hearty Stews
Speaking of hearty, stews are another undeniable staple winter dish, and though Algarve food isn’t traditionally heavy, there are certainly options sure to warm you through. These traditional Portuguese comfort foods include:
- Feijoada – a kidney bean, cabbage, potato, and meat stew
- Carne de Porco à Alentejana – featuring paprika-marinated pork cubes served with clams and thick chips.
- Caldeiradas and Cataplanas – the latter of which is made in a traditional copper pot that works like a pressure cooker. Both dishes are often made with various fish and seafood, making them versatile while staying a safe choice for a warming, tasty winter meal.
- Ensopado de javali – wild boar stew, often served with potatoes.
- Xerém – porridge made with corn flour, clams, bacon, olive oil, onion, coriander, and salt.
Tasty Rice Dishes
Rice is a staple in Portugal, particularly loose, saucy rice dishes most commonly made using a locally grown grain called carolino. Often served in restaurants and enjoyed as the weather gets nippier, this traditional Portuguese food comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:
- Seafood rice
- Razor clam rice
- Octopus rice
- Fish rice
- Baked duck rice
Rice is also often served as a side dish, commonly alongside fish – whether fried, battered, or as fishcakes:
- Tomato rice
- Bean rice
- Turnip green rice
Make sure you look out for these delicious rice options on menus to sample a true favourite traditional Portuguese food.
Bacalhau (cod) recipes
Portuguese cuisine offers a wide variety of codfish (bacalhau) recipes perfect for the cosy, comforting meals we crave in winter. In fact, cod is yet another staple traditional Portuguese food, with the Portuguese joking that there are as many cod recipes as there are days in the year, each dish bringing its unique flavours and textures.
Classic winter dishes like Bacalhau à Brás combine shredded cod with eggs, onions, and crispy fried potatoes, producing a warming, hearty meal that’s both simple and satisfying. Another favourite, Bacalhau com Natas (cod with cream), is an indulgent baked casserole that layers cod with a creamy sauce, potatoes, and onions. For a festive twist if you’re in Portugal over the holidays, Bacalhau de Consoada is the traditional Christmas Eve meal eaten by Portuguese families, featuring boiled salted cod served alongside boiled cabbage and potatoes – all must-tries for anyone looking to experience the comforting, traditional flavours of Portuguese winter cuisine.
Sweet Treats
Rounding off your warming meal with dessert is simply a must when the options on offer are as tastebud-tingling as these, so ensure you leave a little space after each meal to truly taste everything on offer.
Sweet treats traditional in the Algarve include:
- Dom Rodrigo – from Lagos itself, made primarily from egg yolks, sugar, and ground almonds, cooked into a rich, soft custard, then flavoured with cinnamon and wrapped in coloured foil.
- Carob pie – combining carob flour with almonds, eggs, sugar, and sometimes orange zest.
- Tarte de Natas – a light, airy whipped cream and condensed milk pie in a graham-cracker-like crust.
- Bolo rei (King Cake): A festive, Christmas ring-shaped cake filled with raisins, nuts, and candied fruits.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan of traditional Portuguese food or exploring it for the first time, these winter comfort foods offer a true taste of Portugal’s rich culinary heritage. From hearty soups to savoury cod dishes and rice dishes to rich stews, there’s something for everyone to fill up on as the temperatures drop. So, gather around the table – whether comfortably in LUX MARE or at a local restaurant or two – savour these delicious flavours, and make this winter unforgettable!
