Craving a taste of South America? Here are 14 genuinely flavorful Brazilian side dish recipes, from barbecue complements to party appetizers.
These are guaranteed to enrich your skills in the kitchen! Get ready for simple, authentic, and fast cuisine!
1. Red Currant Caipirinha
For a refreshing twist, this recipe switches out traditional lime with red currants, while still paying homage to Brazil’s national cocktail. The combination of currants and lime will become your new favorite drink, especially when enjoyed during the summer.
The ruby hue of this drink makes it just that more refreshing and aesthetically pleasing. Use cachaça for an authentic taste, but if you’re all about convenience, you can easily swap it with sake or vodka.
2. Herbed Couscous
With a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, pearl couscous cooked in olive oil and herbs makes an exceptionally tasty Brazilian side dish.
The zesty lemon makes all the difference, so be sure not to skip adding it in the end. For an even richer taste, season the couscous with Brazilian sofrito to add more depth of flavor.
3. Brazilian Potato Salad
Potato salad makes one of the most quintessential and well-loved Brazilian side dishes out there. Not only is it full of comforting, delicious flavors, it’s also incredibly straightforward to prepare.
Serve this as a side dish with grilled meats or churrasco. The mayonnaise-based dressing is amped up with herbs and tangy spices.
Want to add more oomph to this salad? Throw in some hard-boiled eggs! Other delightful twists include adding fruits and raisins, or beans and peas.
4. Tutu de Feijão (Brazilian Refried Beans)
Served hot with pork chops and white rice, tutu de feijão from Minas Gerais delivers the most fantastic flavors. This should be a staple at the table for Brazilians with a love for rice and beans.
The base of this dish is a puree of beans that’s been thickened using cassava flour.
For a wonderful smoky touch, you can mix in bacon or diced sausage. If you’re craving a vegetarian version, feel free to leave out the meat.
5. Farofa
A frequent visitor in Brazilian steak houses (churrascarias), farofa is another staple side dish in Brazilian cuisine. A toasted flour mixture with a hint of salt and a smoky flavor characterizes this dish.
The addition of bacon, nuts, and olives imparts even more zest. Many people sprinkle farofa on top of their main course, adding texture and complementing stews and grilled meats, though it is not excessively tasty on its own.
6. Brazilian Leeks
Leeks, members of the onion family, can be made even more delectable with this recipe.
Slow cooking transforms leeks into soft, spaghetti-like strands glazed with a sweet balsamic glaze. You can even use the glaze on other foods, from meats to fruits!
7. Brazilian Rice
The key to making perfect Brazilian rice lies in using the right proportions. Try 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
Be sure to rinse the rice before cooking it to get a fluffy texture. Don’t forget to add some flavor! Onions, garlic, and a touch of salt will do the trick.
This foolproof recipe guarantees you’ll never be stuck with bland white rice again!
8. Brazilian Cheese Bread
This bread is gluten-free, oh-so-delicious, cheesy, and chewy! Flour, milk, eggs, cheese, and olive oil, all pantry staples, is all it takes to make it.
For a bolder, sharper flavor, opt for cheddar cheese. Along with some fruit jam or papaya, this makes an excellent breakfast!
9. Deep-Fried Bananas
Also known as banana empanadas, these tasty treats double as both a dessert and a side dish.
You’ll be happy to learn they can be prepared with just five common ingredients. You’ll need flour, bananas, eggs, breadcrumbs, and oil.
After cutting, breading, and frying the bananas, you can serve the resulting fritters with various meats. To transform these into a simple yet delectable dessert, add a scoop of ice cream on top.
10. Brazilian Collard Greens
Hailing from Minas Gerais, these garlicky collard greens make another treasured side dish. In 15 minutes or less, you can quickly whip up this tasty and healthy dish, which is sure to pair well with almost anything.
All it takes is cooking thinly sliced collard greens in garlic and olive oil. Season with pepper and salt to your liking.
11. Tropiero Beans
Here’s what you need to transform leftover beans into a hearty and satisfying dish! Just don’t forget to include the meat and manioc flour!
Tropiero beans are traditionally served as a side for Brazilian fried pork cracklings. If you want to turn it into a well-rounded meal, add a fried egg on top and serve with rice.
12. Salt Cod Salad
The salt cod remains the star of this salad, but thanks to the onions and tomatoes, this flavorful side dish has the perfect touch of natural sweetness that offsets the mild cod flavor.
The salt must be rinsed from the cod by soaking it in cold water for up to 30 minutes. It’s up to you to keep it from being too salty!
13. Brazilian Vinaigrette Salsa
This is the salsa that perfectly completes black bean stew, Brazil’s national dish. However, it also shines when paired with grilled fish, pork, or chicken. Vinaigrette salsa is guaranteed to be a hit even when enjoyed with just some French rolls!
Its refreshing touch comes from a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar. You’ll only need 5 minutes to prepare this, since all you have to do is mix and chop!