Francesinha

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family, and cook.

About the recipe

Francesinha is an icon of Porto: intense, generous, and made to be served with abundant sauce.

The sandwich combines meats, bread, melted cheese, and a sauce made of tomato, beer, and spices.

There are many sauce recipes, and each household keeps its own balance.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of thick bread
• 2 thin steaks
• 2 fresh sausages or Portuguese sausages
• 4 slices of ham
• 8 slices of cheese
• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 200 ml of beer
• 1 shot of Port wine optional
• Piri-piri or pepper
• French fries for serving

Preparation method

1. Prepare the sauce with tomato, beer, pepper, and seasonings, cooking until thickened.
2. Grill the steaks and sausages.
3. Assemble each sandwich with bread, meats, and ham.
4. Cover with cheese and bake until melted.
5. Drizzle with abundant hot sauce.
6. Serve with French fries.

Tips from Empório Portugal

• The sauce should be spicy to taste and very hot.
• Sturdy bread prevents the sandwich from falling apart.
• Cheese needs to cover the entire surface.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

• Use queijo prato or mozzarella for a Brazilian adaptation.
• Beer with low bitterness keeps the sauce balanced.

Pairing

Beer or young red wine. Content intended for those over 18 years old. Drink responsibly.