30 Easy Portuguese Recipes for Dinner

By Pedro Barbosa  •  Published:


 

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Here are 30 easy Portuguese recipes that are perfect for dinner, from simple seafood dishes and traditional cod recipes to comforting meat dishes, hearty soups and classic Portuguese family meals.

30 Easy Portuguese Recipes for Dinner

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Looking for easy Portuguese recipes for dinner? This collection brings together some of my favorite Portuguese dishes for a comforting family meal, including baked cod, seafood, chicken, pork, rice, soups and other traditional home-style recipes.

Portuguese cooking is known for simple ingredients, hearty portions and plenty of flavor. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a traditional Portuguese dish to share with family and friends, you’ll find plenty of delicious and comforting recipes to try at home.

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Why You’ll Love These Recipes

•  Easy enough for dinner: These recipes use simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, making them practical for everyday meals.

•  Plenty of variety: Choose from fish, seafood, chicken, pork, beef, rabbit, rice, soups and traditional Portuguese dishes.

•  Simple ingredients: Portuguese cuisine is based on familiar ingredients such as potatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, beans and fresh herbs like coriander and parsley.

•  Traditional Portuguese flavors: Many of these recipes are classic home-style dishes inspired by Portuguese cooking traditions.

•  Perfect for family meals: These are hearty and comforting recipes that work well for everyday dinners and weekend meals.

•  Something for every taste: Whether you prefer seafood, meat, rice dishes or comforting soups, there’s plenty to choose from.

30 Easy Portuguese Recipes for Dinner (Summary)

  1. Fish & Seafood
  2. Meat & Poultry
  3. Portuguese Beans, Vegetables & Soups

30 EASY PORTUGUESE RECIPES FOR DINNER

Fish & Seafood

1
Portuguese pork and clams in a large skillet
Portuguese Pork and Clams (Carne de Porco à Alentejana)
This Portuguese pork and clams recipe brings together some of Portugal’s most appreciated ingredients and seasonings, creating a perfectly balanced and flavorful dish. Easy step-by-step recipe ready to make at home.
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2
Spiritual cod in a dish
Spiritual Cod (Bacalhau Espiritual)
This Spiritual Cod is a creamy and comforting Portuguese dish, baked in the oven until perfectly golden. Made with simple ingredients, this dish combines flaked cod with a creamy mashed potato, finished with a generous layer of grated Parmesan cheese that transforms into a crispy and flavorful crust. A timeless classic, easy to prepare and always delicious.
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3
Portuguese Fried Horse Mackerel with Tomato Rice on a serving platter
Portuguese Fried Horse Mackerel with Tomato Rice
This Portuguese fried horse mackerel with tomato rice is a simple and flavorful dinner that brings together crispy golden fish and creamy, homemade tomato rice. It's a traditional Portuguese recipe that's easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying family meal.
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4
Portuguese Cod Stew in a tureen
Portuguese Cod Stew (Caldeirada de Bacalhau)
This easy Portuguese cod stew is simmered in a rich, flavorful broth that combines cod, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and olive oil in one delicious meal. A comforting one-pot recipe perfect for any occasion.
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5
Portuguese Baked Cod (Bacalhau à Lagareiro) in a serving platter
Portuguese Baked Cod (Codfish Lagareiro)
This Portuguese baked cod, also known as Codfish Lagareiro or Bacalhau à Lagareiro, is one of Portugal's most iconic comfort food recipes. This classic dish combines salt cod, roasted potatoes, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil to create a simple yet incredibly flavorful meal. Made with everyday ingredients, it's an easy Portuguese dinner, perfect for any occasion.
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6
Português style baked fish in a platter
Portuguese Style Baked Fish
This Portuguese style baked fish with potatoes is an easy and comforting meal, full of color and Mediterranean flavors!
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7
Traditional baked cod on a plate
Traditional Baked Cod
This simple, traditional baked cod with potatoes is super flavorful and comforting! It’s perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner with the whole family!
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8
Portuguese octopus rice in a small saucepan
Portuguese Octopus Rice
This creamy, Portuguese octopus rice is the perfect dinner to serve any time of year. It is a dish full of typical Portuguese flavors.
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9
Chocos à Lagareiro (Portuguese baked cuttlefish) on a rectangular platter
Chocos à Lagareiro (Portuguese Baked Cuttlefish)
This Chocos à Lagareiro (Portuguese baked cuttlefish) is a simple yet flavorful dish made with classic ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and fresh coriander.
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10
Pastéis de Bacalhau (Portuguese cod fritters) in a rectangular platter
Pastéis de Bacalhau (Portuguese Cod Fritters)
Golden, crispy, and irresistibly tender inside, these Pastéis de bacalhau (traditional Portuguese cod fritters) bring a taste of tradition to your kitchen! With simple ingredients and an amazing flavor!
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11
Stewed cuttlefish with white beans on a small tureen
Stewed Cuttlefish with White Beans
The traditional Portuguese flavors are always welcome in a family lunch! Prepare this stewed cuttlefish with white beans for your family, they will love it!
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12
Portuguese cod bread soup on a dish bowl
Portuguese Cod Bread Soup
This typical recipe from the south of Portugal is much appreciated by everyone. With few ingredients and very simple to prepare this Portuguese cod bread soup it's perfect for a family Sunday lunch!
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13
Creamy Baked Cod in a plate
Creamy Baked Cod (Bacalhau com Natas)
This creamy Portuguese cod with cream (bacalhau com natas) is an easy oven-baked recipe made with cod, potatoes, béchamel sauce, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 1 hour, it’s a comforting traditional dish, prepared with simple ingredients and full of flavor.
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14
Portuguese Octopus Lagareiro in a baking dish
Portuguese Octopus Lagareiro (Polvo à Lagareiro)
If you love Portuguese seafood, this Portuguese Octopus Lagareiro is a recipe you need to try. Also known as Polvo à Lagareiro, this traditional dish combines tender octopus with crispy roasted potatoes, garlic, parsley and generous amounts of olive oil.
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15
Bacalhau à Brás Recipe (Portuguese Cod with Eggs and Potatoes) in a dish bowl
Bacalhau à Brás (Portuguese Cod, Potatoes and Eggs)
Learn how to make Bacalhau à Brás, a traditional Portuguese cod recipe prepared with salt cod, crispy potatoes, and creamy eggs. A comforting dish with an incredible blend of rich and delicious flavors.
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Meat & Poultry

16
Portuguese Stew (Cozido à Portuguesa) in a tureen
Portuguese Stew (Cozido à Portuguesa)
Looking for a traditional Portuguese comfort food recipe? Cozido à Portuguesa, also known as Portuguese Stew, is a hearty and generous meal made with tender meats, Portuguese sausages, potatoes and vegetables. Everything is cooked until perfectly tender, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for sharing.
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17
Jardineira (Portuguese Beef Stew) in a tureen
Jardineira (Portuguese Beef Stew)
This classic Jardineira (Portuguese beef stew), simmered in a rich tomato broth, is a hearty and comforting dish, packed with tender beef and vegetables!
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18
Homemade chicken soup on a soup bowl
Homemade Chicken Soup
This delicious and easy homemade chicken soup is a super simple recipe to make! It's a very comforting soup with just 6 ingredients!
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19
Traditional roast veal on a glass baking dish
Traditional Roast Veal
A tender and traditional roast veal recipe that promises to tantalise your taste buds. It's a delicious and simple dinner to prepare with basic ingredients!
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20
Coelho à Caçador (Portuguese Rabbit Stew) on a tureen
Coelho à Caçador (Portuguese Rabbit Stew)
This tender and juicy Coelho à Caçador (Portuguese Rabbit Stew) is a savory mixture of simple and delicious seasonings with typical Portuguese ingredients!
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21
Easy Juicy Skillet Pork Steak in a large skillet
Easy Juicy Skillet Pork Steak
This Easy Juicy Skillet Pork Steak recipe is perfect for any occasion! Seasoned with simple ingredients and cooked in a delicious homemade sauce!
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22
Portuguese duck rice on a baking dish
Portuguese Duck Rice
The most delicious and easy Portuguese duck rice recipe! Combines succulent duck with flavorful rice that only takes 25 minutes to bake!
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23
Easy chicken stew on a tureen
Easy Chicken Stew
This classic chicken stew recipe is a rich and hearty mix of tender chicken pieces and carrots. It’s all simmered in a rich tomato sauce until the chicken is tender and juicy.
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Portuguese Beans, Vegetables & Soups

24
Caldo verde (Easy Portuguese Kale Soup) in a soup bowl
Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)
A creamy and comforting Caldo Verde (Portuguese kale soup) made with potatoes, chouriço, and olive oil. Healthy, nutritious and ready in 1 hour. The perfect soup for cold, rainy winter days, to warm your body and soul!
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25
Portuguese peas with poached eggs and chouriço in a dish bowl
Portuguese Peas with Poached Eggs and Chouriço
This delicious Portuguese peas with poached eggs and chouriço recipe is super easy to make. It's perfect for a weeknight family dinner!
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26
Portuguese Fava Beans in a dish bowl
Portuguese Fava Beans
Looking for an easy Portuguese comfort food recipe? These Portuguese fava beans are slowly cooked with tender pork ribs, chouriço, garlic, onion, olive oil and fresh coriander for a hearty and flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy.
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27
Traditional Portuguese dogfish soup in a small tureen
Traditional Portuguese Dogfish
This creamy Traditional Portuguese Dogfish Soup is a recipe made with very typical Portuguese ingredients, such as coriander, garlic and olive oil!
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28
Portuguese bean stew in a pot
Portuguese Bean Stew with Poached Eggs (Feijoada)
Traditional Portuguese bean stew (feijoada) with tender pork ribs, chouriço and poached eggs. A comforting recipe with easy step-by-step instructions. The perfect one-pot feijoada recipe for cozy dinners.
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29
Portuguese chickpea soup with spinach in a soup bowl
Portuguese Chickpea Soup with Spinach
Make this comforting Portuguese chickpea soup with spinach in under an hour. A healthy, nutritious, and budget-friendly recipe made with just 5 simple ingredients, perfect for an easy and satisfying meal any day of the week.
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30
Portuguese rice and beans on a dish bowl
Portuguese Rice and Beans
This creamy Portuguese rice and beans recipe with pork ribs and chouriço is a deeply nutritious and comforting dish, full of flavor! A rich blend of spices transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible culinary experience - one you’ll savor from the very first bite.
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Tips for Making Portuguese Dinner Recipes

•  Use good-quality olive oil: Olive oil is an important part of Portuguese cooking and adds flavor to many fish, meat and vegetable dishes.

•  Don’t skip the garlic and onion: These are essential flavor bases in many traditional Portuguese recipes.

•  Choose the right cod: When using salt cod, remember that it usually needs to be soaked and desalted before cooking.

•  Use fresh herbs when possible: Parsley, coriander and other fresh herbs can add freshness and flavor to Portuguese dishes.

•  Serve with simple sides: Many of these recipes pair well with boiled or roasted potatoes, rice, vegetables or a simple salad.

•  Plan ahead for traditional dishes: Some recipes, particularly those made with salt cod or dried beans, require preparation in advance.

•  Make enough for leftovers: Many Portuguese family-style dishes are just as delicious the next day, making them useful for meal planning.

FAQs

What are some easy Portuguese recipes for dinner?

Some easy Portuguese dinner recipes include Portuguese baked cod, Portuguese pork and clams, chicken soup, Portuguese octopus rice, Portuguese peas with poached eggs and chouriço, and skillet pork steak.

What is a traditional Portuguese dinner?

A traditional Portuguese dinner can range from a simple fish or meat dish served with potatoes and vegetables to hearty soups, rice dishes and recipes made with beans. Many Portuguese family meals are simple, comforting and made with everyday ingredients.

What is the most popular Portuguese food?

Cod is one of the most well-known ingredients in Portuguese cuisine, and there are many traditional ways to prepare it, including baked cod, Bacalhau à Brás, cod fritters and other cod dishes.

Are Portuguese recipes good for weeknight dinners?

Yes. Many Portuguese recipes are made with simple ingredients and don’t require complicated preparation, making them suitable for family dinners and everyday meals.

What ingredients are commonly used in Portuguese cooking?

Common ingredients include olive oil, garlic, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, rice, fresh herbs, pork, chicken, fish and seafood.

More Portuguese Recipe Ideas

Looking for more Portuguese recipes? Explore these collections:

•  Portuguese Seafood Dishes
•  Portuguese Cod Recipes
•  Creamy Portuguese Soup Recipes
•  Traditional Portuguese Recipes
•  Portuguese Dessert Recipes

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