9 Brazilian Foods You Have to Try

Seen from above, on a white tray, packed in white paper forms are some chocolate sweets called brigadeiro in Brazil.

4min read

Published 14 May 2019

Flight Centre Author

By

Alexandra Cronin (Gregg)

UK Content & Social Lead


Share


South America boasts a fusion of flavours so unique that no other continent can quite compete. And within that is its crowning glory: a little country called Brazil – perhaps you’ve heard of it? Home to Rio Carnival, Christ the Redeemer and of course the 2016 Olympic Games, it’s also got some of the best dishes and ingredients going. Here we look at nine Brazilian foods you have to try, to help you distinguish your bolinho de chuva from your brigadeiro. Hold onto your spatulas!

RS-Bolinho-de-chuva-flickr-id-46751261@N02.jpg
RS-Bolinho-de-chuva-flickr-id-46751261@N02.jpg
RS-Bolinho-de-chuva-flickr-id-46751261@N02.jpg

Bolinho de chuva

Similar to the delicious Mexican sopaipilla dessert dish, bolinha de chuva is like a deep-fried sugary dumpling. Flour, milk, eggs and baking powder are combined before being fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Think doughnuts… but better. Be warned though: you can never just have one.

Pavé

Simple yet scrumptious, this layered tiramisu-esque dessert is a Brazilian favourite. It requires no baking and instead simply calls for condensed milk, vanilla essence, brandy, lemon juice, several packets of cookies and plenty of fridge time. Alternate layers of brandy, milk and vanilla-soaked biccies with layers of condensed milk and lemon juice, refrigerate and, five hours later, voila!

RS-Acaraje-flickr-id-8104976@N04.jpg
RS-Acaraje-flickr-id-8104976@N04.jpg
RS-Acaraje-flickr-id-8104976@N04.jpg

Acarajé

Found in the markets of Rio de Janeiro, Acarajé is a dish comprised of peeled beans that are squashed into balls before being deep fried in palm oil. For authenticity, try yours served with a paste made from shrimp and cashew nuts or, for veggies, a sauce made from hot peppers and green tomatoes.

rs-coxinha-shutterstock426457600.jpg
rs-coxinha-shutterstock426457600.jpg
rs-coxinha-shutterstock426457600.jpg

Coxinhas

Another fried dish (are you spotting the theme here?), this beloved street food snack is pear-shaped, resembling the chicken thighs that used to be the main ingredient. Chicken breast is used these days, combined with chicken stock, veg and garlic which is blended into a tasty shredded mixture. After being encased in dough, it is then bread-crumbed before being fried. Grub on the go doesn’t get much guiltier, or much tastier, than this.

RS-Brigadeiro-shutterstock_363621902.jpg
RS-Brigadeiro-shutterstock_363621902.jpg
RS-Brigadeiro-shutterstock_363621902.jpg

Brigadeiro

This Brazilian truffle is a national favourite. The idea was invented after World War II, when rationing made it difficult to find fresh milk and sugar. This sweet treat uses just condensed milk and chocolate – much easier to get hold of during the war. It’s stood the test of time though and now has several variations: brigadeiro ice creams, brigadeiro cakes and even brigadeiro pizza! But undoubtedly the most popular form of brigadeiro is when it’s in small balls, coated in chocolate sprinkles.

RS-Rodizio-barbecued-meat-shutterstock_21482644.jpg
RS-Rodizio-barbecued-meat-shutterstock_21482644.jpg
RS-Rodizio-barbecued-meat-shutterstock_21482644.jpg

Any barbecued meat

If you’ve had the good fortune to eat at a Brazilian barbecue restaurant in the UK, you’ll have a small idea of what this entails. Meat is a big deal in Brazil, especially when it’s cooked in churrasco style – that's Portuguese for barbecue. Lord knows how they make it taste so good, but everything from beef to pork to chicken to fish can be cooked on this rotisserie and is often served on skewers rodizio style, i.e. all you can eat. Bottom line: wear trousers with a stretchy waistband.

RS-Pao-de-queijo-shutterstock_121053205.jpg
RS-Pao-de-queijo-shutterstock_121053205.jpg
RS-Pao-de-queijo-shutterstock_121053205.jpg

Pão de queijo

Two of my favourite things on the planet – cheese and bread – make up this deletable breakfast dish. That said, the original version of the snack didn’t even include cheese until the 19th century, but it’s this addition that has transformed it into a Brazilian staple. On your travels, you’ll find it at snack bars, bakeries, and supermarkets, where it can be bought frozen to cook at home (or in your self-catering apartment or hotel).

RS-Acai-shutterstock_325608143.jpg
RS-Acai-shutterstock_325608143.jpg
RS-Acai-shutterstock_325608143.jpg

Acai

Known for its superfood properties, acai berries are harvested from the acai palm in the Brazilian Amazon. For indigenous peoples living in the rainforest, this grape-like purple berry is a huge portion of their diet, making it an important nutrient for the country and its culture. In Rio and other big cities or towns, you’ll find it in a range of smoothies, food and supplements.

RS-Mandioca-frita-shutterstock_281576903.jpg
RS-Mandioca-frita-shutterstock_281576903.jpg
RS-Mandioca-frita-shutterstock_281576903.jpg

Mandioca frita

Otherwise known as fried cassava, this simple crispy root-veg snack is extremely popular throughout Brazil. Served in a baton shape, it’s the country’s answer to French fries, and will really get your taste buds tingling when paired with a sprinkling of onion or garlic suit. Move over McCain!

Flight Centre Author

By

Alexandra Cronin (Gregg)

UK Content & Social Lead


Share


...loading
Flight Centre

© Flight Centre (UK) Limited, Registered in England No. 02937210.

* 0800 calls are free for landlines and mobiles. 0333 calls are included within inclusive minutes package on mobiles, otherwise standard rates apply. 0844/0845 calls are 7p/pm plus your local carrier charge. Prices are per person twin share, correct as at the date of publication, subject to change and may be higher/unavailable for certain dates. Airfares are economy on specified airlines from London, unless otherwise stated. For full booking conditions visit Booking Conditions. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. We will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but not all the parts of your trip are listed on it, those parts not listed will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.