Christmas is a time to indulge in food, and Portugal is no exception. Every major holiday in Portugal has its own seasonal dishes and sweet treats, and that of course includes Christmas, with a wide variety of traditional Portuguese Christmas dishes to be found up and down the country during the festive period.
From hearty dinners to festive desserts, Christmas traditions in Portugal revolve around great food. Starting in mid-November, bakeries and supermarkets brim with these festive delights. But what is the traditional Christmas dish in Portugal? Forget the mince pies and Christmas pudding, and let's find out—here are 8 traditional Portuguese Christmas foods to try if you want to celebrate like a local in 2024.
Bacalhau
No Portuguese Christmas food menu is complete without the star ingredient in Portugal, bacalhau or salt cod. Locally caught fish is usually eaten on Christmas Eve, when families enjoy a light meal known as “Consoada”.
All that’s left for you to decide is how to cook your bacalhau. Some of the most common forms of serving this typical ingredient include pastéis de bacalhau, battered codfish fritters that make the perfect finger food, or bacalhau da Consoada, simple boiled cod with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and hard-boiled eggs with a drizzle of olive oil.
Another common option, for those who are more adventurous, is Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. In this Portuguese Christmas recipe, the salt cod is cooked with potatoes, and onions which are layered in a dish, topped with hard-boiled egg, baked in the oven and finished off with olives, chopped parsley, olive oil and a touch of garlic.
Cabrito assado no forno
Beyond Portugal’s iconic bacalhau, there are other dishes that are also very popular in Portugal during the Christmas holidays, especially in the inland regions. Many people celebrate Christmas and New Year dinners with “cabrito assado no forno”, which is juicy oven-roasted lamb and crispy roast potatoes. This is among the most delicious and most traditional Portuguese Christmas menu options and is the perfect dish for those wanting to taste authentic Portuguese flavours. This hearty Portuguese Christmas dinner is even better when served with a good glass of Douro red wine.
Peru recheado
Christmas food in Portugal is varied and has something for everyone. For the dedicated Christmas turkey lovers, Portugal is the perfect destination for you as, surprisingly, the turkey trend extends beyond the USA and the UK. In Portuguese, the stuffed turkey is called “peru recheado” and isn’t all that different from turkey as we know it in the English speaking world. The recipe for the turkey stuffing often differs from one household to another with lots of secret family recipes for making the perfect stuffing. Some use vegetables, others prefer to make the stuffing with meat, and while turkey isn’t enjoyed at Christmas all across Portugal, it’s becoming more common as a cheaper option, especially given the current cost of living crisis.
Rabanadas
What about Portuguese Christmas desserts? Moving on to sweet treats and one of the tastiest Portuguese Christmas food recipes, Rabanadas are a Portuguese favourite all over the country at Christmas time. They are very easy to find in bakeries across the country, but also very easy to make at home. Sometimes known as a Portuguese version of French toast (but arguably better), Rabanadas are made with slices of a white bread soaked in milk, wine or sugar syrup with lemon zest, then soaked in eggs, and fried in oil to give them a delicious golden crust before being sprinkled with some cinnamon sugar.
Lampreia de Ovos
Lampreia de Ovos is one of Portugal’s most unusual Christmas desserts. Made with anywhere from 20 to 50 egg yolks, this sweet treat is shaped like a fearsome ancient sea creature—the lamprey, a blood-sucking fish. Its origins date back to the 16th century, with various stories explaining this Portuguese Christmas tradition. But don’t worry, despite its name, lampreia de ovos contains no lamprey; it’s made from sugar syrup, almonds, and plenty of eggs. If making it from scratch feels like too much, you can find this festive dessert in Portuguese bakeries, often beautifully packaged in decorative boxes.
Filhós
Filhós is a traditional Portuguese pastry made almost exclusively during the Christmas and New Year season. Historically, families would prepare the dough and leave it to rise while attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Upon returning home, all that was left to do was heat the oil and fry the dough until crispy. While regional variations exist, one thing is certain: once fried, filhós must be coated in a generous dusting of cinnamon and sugar.
Arroz doce
Arroz doce is the Portuguese version of rice pudding and is a Christmas staple throughout the country. Although rice pudding perhaps doesn’t sound like the most appetising or exciting dessert option for the most important celebrations of the year, trust us, because the Portuguese have perfected their recipe. The soft, creamy rice has a hint of lemon, and usually the crowning touch of this common dessert is the meticulous decoration of powdered cinnamon which adorns its surface. This dish is enjoyed all year round in Portugal, but is also one of the most enjoyed Christmas foods in Portugal.
Bolo Rei
Completing a traditional Portuguese christmas dinner has to be the most traditional Christmas cake in Portugal: “Bolo Rei”, which means “King Cake” and although it is enjoyed throughout the Christmas holidays, it is typically placed in the centre of the table on 6th January, as it is symbolic of the Three Kings. This cake, that looks like a wreath, has a bread-like consistency, and is traditionally filled with dried fruit, nuts and topped with candied fruit and icing sugar. There is also another version that is very similar to the Bolo Rei but without candied fruit, and this one is called the “Bolo Rainha” or the “Queen Cake”.
A Portugal Christmas dinner is a vibrant celebration of culinary traditions, with Portuguese Christmas dishes that are rich in flavour and history. From savoury meals to indulgent sweets, each dish brings a unique taste of the festive season. Whether you’re enjoying lampreia de ovos or filhós, these delicious offerings make Christmas in Portugal a truly memorable experience.
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