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Portuguese Recipes

Portuguese Christmas Recipes

Sweets, breads, and dishes that complement Portuguese Christmas tables, always with a note about family variations.

Editorial illustration of Portuguese Christmas Recipes

19 published recipes

A curation to navigate the Portuguese table.

The recipes below continue in their main categories but have also been gathered here by theme, region, or occasion.

Photo of Bacalhau cozido com todos - traditional Portuguese recipe Recipe published

Bacalhau cozido com todos

Bacalhau served with potatoes, greens, eggs, chickpeas, or vegetables, very present on Christmas tables.

Category: Bacalhau

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h

Difficulty: Easy

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Photo of Arroz doce português - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Arroz doce português

Rice slowly cooked with milk, sugar, lemon, and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional

Time: 55 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Photo of Bolo de mel da Madeira - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Bolo de mel da Madeira

Dark and spiced cake with cane honey, dried fruits, and Madeiran tradition.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Madeira

Time: 1 h 30 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Aletria doce - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Aletria doce

Sweet thin pasta cooked in milk, sugar, lemon, and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 35 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Photo of Lampreia de ovos - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Lampreia de ovos

Festive sweet made with egg threads, soft eggs, and traditional decoration.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Doçaria conventual portuguesa

Time: 1 h 35 min

Difficulty: Difficult

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Photo of Rabanadas à portuguesa - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Rabanadas à portuguesa

Slices of bread soaked in flavored milk, dipped in eggs, fried, and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 45 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Photo of Sonhos de abóbora - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Sonhos de abóbora

Sweet pumpkin fritters coated in sugar with cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Sonhos de Natal - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Sonhos de Natal

Light fried dough, golden and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 55 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Filhós de Natal - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Filhós de Natal

Sweet fried dough, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h 35 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Coscorões - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Coscorões

Thin strips of fried dough, crispy and coated in sugar and cinnamon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h 05 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Azevias de grão - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Azevias de grão

Sweet fried pastries filled with chickpeas, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Alentejo / Natal

Time: 1 h 30 min

Difficulty: Difficult

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Photo of Azevias de batata-doce - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Azevias de batata-doce

Fried pastries filled with sweet potato, cinnamon, and citrus.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Alentejo / Algarve

Time: 1 h 35 min

Difficulty: Difficult

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Photo of Broas castelares - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Broas castelares

Sweet pastries made with sweet potato, almond, and coconut, traditional during year-end festivities.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h 10 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Broas de mel - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Broas de mel

Aromatic pastries made with honey, olive oil, spices, and flour.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 55 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Photo of Bolo-rei - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Bolo-rei

Portuguese festive cake made with fermented dough, candied fruits, and dried fruits.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 2 h 10 min

Difficulty: Difficult

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Photo of Bolo-rainha - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Bolo-rainha

Festive version similar to bolo-rei, with dried fruits and without candied fruits.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 2 h 10 min

Difficulty: Difficult

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Photo of Tronco de Natal português - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Tronco de Natal português

Festive roll with cream and chocolate coating, served as a Christmas log.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Nacional / Natal

Time: 1 h

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Carne de vinha-d’alhos - traditional Portuguese recipe Recipe published

Carne de vinha-d’alhos

Pork marinated in wine, garlic, and spices, then cooked or fried.

Category: Meats and oven

Region: Madeira

Time: 1 h 30 min

Difficulty: Medium

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Photo of Bolo preto da Madeira - traditional Portuguese sweet Recipe published

Bolo preto da Madeira

Dark, dense, and spiced cake with cane honey, dried fruits, and fruits.

Category: Sweets and desserts

Region: Madeira

Time: 1 h 50 min

Difficulty: Medium

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