The letter C introduces one of the most diverse collections of Brazilian foods, featuring beloved street snacks, hearty soups, traditional desserts, and flavorful meat dishes. From crispy Coxinha and creamy Canjica to comforting Caldinho de Feijão and savory Carne de Sol, these specialties showcase the rich regional diversity that makes Brazilian cuisine so unique.
Alongside favorites like Feijoada, Pão de Queijo, Moqueca, and Brigadeiro, the foods beginning with C offer another exciting opportunity to explore authentic Brazilian food culture.
This guide explores Brazilian foods that start with C, introducing traditional recipes, regional specialties, and classic dishes enjoyed throughout Brazil.
C Celebrates Brazil’s Colorful Culinary Heritage
The letter C contains many authentic Brazilian food names, representing everything from iconic street foods and traditional sweets to regional meat specialties and comforting soups.
One of the best-known examples is Coxinha, Brazil’s famous teardrop-shaped croquette filled with shredded chicken and creamy cheese before being breaded and deep-fried until golden. It is one of the country’s most popular street foods.
Another favorite is Canjica, a traditional dessert made with white corn kernels slowly cooked in milk, sugar, cinnamon, coconut milk, and condensed milk. It is especially popular during Brazil’s Festa Junina celebrations.
Soup lovers may already know Caldinho de Feijão, a rich black bean soup seasoned with garlic, onions, bacon, herbs, and spices. It is commonly served as an appetizer or late-night comfort food.
You’ll also encounter Carne de Sol, a lightly salted and air-dried beef specialty from northeastern Brazil. It is often served with cassava, rice, beans, and butter, making it one of the region’s signature dishes.
Other authentic Brazilian foods beginning with C include Curau, Cuscuz Paulista, Cuscuz Nordestino, Caruru, Caldo Verde Brasileiro, Casquinha de Siri, Costela Assada, and Cocada.
These foods show that the letter C offers an outstanding introduction to authentic Brazilian cuisine.
Benefits of Learning Brazilian Foods Beginning With C
- Complete your Brazilian food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Brazilian specialties.
- Learn about traditional Brazilian cooking methods.
- Explore street foods, soups, desserts, and meat dishes.
- Recognize iconic foods served across Brazil.
- Improve confidence when reading Brazilian restaurant menus.
- Strengthen memory through alphabetical learning.
- Prepare for travel by identifying local specialties.
- Support classroom and worksheet activities.
- Learn about Brazil’s rich culinary heritage.
- Find inspiration for cooking authentic Brazilian recipes at home.
- Experience both sweet and savory Brazilian foods.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for Brazilian cuisine.
Brazilian Foods That Start With C
The list below features Brazilian foods beginning with the letter C, including street foods, soups, desserts, meat dishes, and regional favorites enjoyed throughout Brazil.
The letter C represents an impressive variety of Brazilian flavors and cooking traditions. You’ll find chicken, black beans, cassava, corn, coconut, beef, seafood, herbs, tropical spices, and fresh local ingredients appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these dishes have been enjoyed for generations and remain essential to Brazil’s family meals, festivals, beachside eateries, and street food culture. Their enduring popularity reflects the country’s appreciation for regional diversity and traditional cooking.
Chicken Cabidela
Cabidela
Syllable: ka-bi-DE-la
Pronunciation: Cabidela
- Chicken cabidela is a traditional Brazilian dish. – A cabidela é um prato tradicional brasileiro.
- It is made with chicken and rice. – Ela é feita com frango e arroz.
- We enjoyed cabidela for lunch. – Nós apreciamos cabidela no almoço.
Cachaça Cake
Bolo de Cachaça
Syllable: BO-lo dji ka-SHA-sa
Pronunciation: Bolo de Cachaça
- Cachaça cake is soft and sweet. – O bolo de cachaça é macio e doce.
- It has a unique flavor. – Ele tem um sabor único.
- We had cachaça cake with coffee. – Nós comemos bolo de cachaça com café.
Brazilian Hot Dog
Cachorro-Quente Brasileiro
Syllable: ka-SHO-ho KEN-chi bra-zi-LEI-ro
Pronunciation: Cachorro-Quente Brasileiro
- The Brazilian hot dog is very popular. – O cachorro-quente brasileiro é muito popular.
- It is filled with beef or chicken and toppings. – Ele é recheado com carne ou frango e vários acompanhamentos.
- We ate Brazilian hot dogs at the fair. – Nós comemos cachorro-quente brasileiro na feira.
Bean Broth
Caldinho de Feijão
Syllable: kal-DJEE-nyo dji fei-ZHOWN
Pronunciation: Caldinho de Feijão
- Bean broth is warm and comforting. – O caldinho de feijão é quente e reconfortante.
- It is served in small cups. – Ele é servido em pequenas xícaras.
- We drank bean broth before dinner. – Nós tomamos caldinho de feijão antes do jantar.
Cassava Broth
Caldinho de Mandioca
Syllable: kal-DJEE-nyo dji man-dji-O-ka
Pronunciation: Caldinho de Mandioca
- Cassava broth is creamy and delicious. – O caldinho de mandioca é cremoso e delicioso.
- It is served hot. – Ele é servido quente.
- We enjoyed cassava broth on a cold day. – Nós apreciamos caldinho de mandioca em um dia frio.
Shrimp Broth
Caldinho de Camarão
Syllable: kal-DJEE-nyo dji ka-ma-ROWN
Pronunciation: Caldinho de Camarão
- Shrimp broth is rich and flavorful. – O caldinho de camarão é rico e saboroso.
- It is made with fresh shrimp. – Ele é feito com camarão fresco.
- We enjoyed shrimp broth for dinner. – Nós apreciamos caldinho de camarão no jantar.
Caldo Verde
Caldo Verde
Syllable: KAL-do VER-dji
Pronunciation: Caldo Verde
- Caldo verde is a famous soup. – O caldo verde é uma sopa famosa.
- It is made with potatoes, kale, and beef or turkey sausage. – Ele é feito com batatas, couve e linguiça de carne ou peru.
- We had caldo verde for dinner. – Nós comemos caldo verde no jantar.
Canjica
Canjica
Syllable: kan-ZHEE-ka
Pronunciation: Canjica
- Canjica is a sweet corn dessert. – A canjica é uma sobremesa de milho doce.
- It is made with milk and cinnamon. – Ela é feita com leite e canela.
- We enjoyed canjica at the festival. – Nós apreciamos canjica na festa.
Chicken Soup
Canja de Galinha
Syllable: KAN-zha dji ga-LIN-ya
Pronunciation: Canja de Galinha
- Chicken soup is warm and comforting. – A canja de galinha é quente e reconfortante.
- It is made with rice and chicken. – Ela é feita com arroz e frango.
- My mother makes chicken soup often. – Minha mãe faz canja de galinha com frequência.
Pot Roast
Carne de Panela
Syllable: KAR-ni dji pa-NE-la
Pronunciation: Carne de Panela
- Pot roast is tender and delicious. – A carne de panela é macia e deliciosa.
- It is cooked slowly with vegetables. – Ela é cozida lentamente com legumes.
- We enjoyed pot roast for lunch. – Nós apreciamos carne de panela no almoço.
Shredded Beef
Carne Louca
Syllable: KAR-ni LO-ka
Pronunciation: Carne Louca
- Shredded beef is flavorful. – A carne louca é muito saborosa.
- It is often served in sandwiches. – Ela é servida em sanduíches.
- We ate shredded beef at the party. – Nós comemos carne louca na festa.
Sun-Dried Beef
Carne de Sol
Syllable: KAR-ni dji SOL
Pronunciation: Carne de Sol
- Sun-dried beef is a traditional food. – A carne de sol é uma comida tradicional.
- It is served with cassava. – Ela é servida com aipim.
- We enjoyed carne de sol for dinner. – Nós apreciamos carne de sol no jantar.
Dried Beef
Carne Seca
Syllable: KAR-ni SE-ka
Pronunciation: Carne Seca
- Dried beef has a strong flavor. – A carne-seca tem um sabor forte.
- It is used in many Brazilian dishes. – Ela é usada em muitos pratos brasileiros.
- My grandmother cooks dried beef well. – Minha avó cozinha carne-seca muito bem.
Caruru
Caruru
Syllable: ka-ru-RU
Pronunciation: Caruru
- Caruru is a traditional Bahian dish. – O caruru é um prato tradicional da Bahia.
- It is made with okra. – Ele é feito com quiabo.
- We enjoyed caruru with rice. – Nós apreciamos caruru com arroz.
Crab Shell
Casquinha de Siri
Syllable: kas-KEEN-ya dji si-REE
Pronunciation: Casquinha de Siri
- Crab shell is a popular seafood dish. – A casquinha de siri é um prato popular de frutos do mar.
- It is baked with crab meat. – Ela é assada com carne de siri.
- We enjoyed casquinha de siri by the beach. – Nós apreciamos casquinha de siri na praia.
Coconut Candy
Cocada
Syllable: ko-KA-da
Pronunciation: Cocada
- Cocada is a sweet coconut candy. – A cocada é um doce de coco.
- It is soft and delicious. – Ela é macia e deliciosa.
- We bought cocada at the market. – Nós compramos cocada no mercado.
White Coconut Candy
Cocada Branca
Syllable: ko-KA-da BRAN-ka
Pronunciation: Cocada Branca
- White coconut candy is sweet. – A cocada branca é doce.
- It is made with fresh coconut. – Ela é feita com coco fresco.
- We shared white coconut candy. – Nós dividimos cocada branca.
Burnt Coconut Candy
Cocada Queimada
Syllable: ko-KA-da kei-MA-da
Pronunciation: Cocada Queimada
- Burnt coconut candy has a rich flavor. – A cocada queimada tem um sabor intenso.
- It has a caramel color. – Ela tem cor de caramelo.
- We enjoyed burnt coconut candy after lunch. – Nós apreciamos cocada queimada depois do almoço.
Chicken Hearts
Coração de Frango
Syllable: ko-ra-SOWN dji FRAN-go
Pronunciation: Coração de Frango
- Chicken hearts are popular at barbecues. – Os corações de frango são populares nos churrascos.
- They are grilled over charcoal. – Eles são grelhados na brasa.
- We ate chicken hearts at the barbecue. – Nós comemos corações de frango no churrasco.
Roasted Beef Ribs
Costela Assada
Syllable: kos-TE-la a-SA-da
Pronunciation: Costela Assada
- Roasted beef ribs are tender. – A costela assada é macia.
- It is cooked slowly. – Ela é assada lentamente.
- We enjoyed roasted beef ribs on Sunday. – Nós apreciamos costela assada no domingo.
Sautéed Collard Greens
Couve Refogada
Syllable: KO-vi he-fo-GA-da
Pronunciation: Couve Refogada
- Sautéed collard greens are healthy. – A couve refogada é saudável.
- It is served with beans. – Ela é servida com feijão.
- We ate sautéed collard greens with lunch. – Nós comemos couve refogada no almoço.
Cream Drumstick
Coxa Creme
Syllable: KO-sha KRE-mi
Pronunciation: Coxa Creme
- Cream drumsticks are crispy and tasty. – A coxa creme é crocante e saborosa.
- It has a creamy filling. – Ela tem um recheio cremoso.
- We enjoyed coxa creme as a snack. – Nós apreciamos coxa creme no lanche.
Coxinha
Coxinha
Syllable: ko-SHEEN-ya
Pronunciation: Coxinha
- Coxinha is one of Brazil\’s favorite snacks. – A coxinha é um dos salgados favoritos do Brasil.
- It is filled with chicken. – Ela é recheada com frango.
- We bought coxinhas at the bakery. – Nós compramos coxinhas na padaria.
Cuca
Cuca
Syllable: KU-ka
Pronunciation: Cuca
- Cuca is a sweet cake. – A cuca é um bolo doce.
- It has a crumb topping. – Ela tem uma cobertura crocante.
- We enjoyed cuca with coffee. – Nós apreciamos cuca com café.
Curau
Curau
Syllable: ku-RAU
Pronunciation: Curau
- Curau is a creamy corn dessert. – O curau é uma sobremesa cremosa de milho.
- It is served with cinnamon. – Ele é servido com canela.
- We ate curau after dinner. – Nós comemos curau depois do jantar.
Brazilian Cuisine Reflects a Blend of Cultures
One of the defining strengths of Brazilian cuisine is its ability to combine Indigenous, African, Portuguese, and immigrant influences into dishes full of flavor and tradition.
Coxinha represents Brazil’s legendary street food culture, while Canjica celebrates the country’s festive dessert traditions. Caldinho de Feijão highlights the importance of beans in everyday Brazilian cooking, and Carne de Sol showcases the culinary heritage of Brazil’s Northeast.
Together, these specialties demonstrate how Brazilian cuisine combines regional diversity, cultural heritage, and fresh ingredients into unforgettable meals.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Brazilian foods beginning with C.
- Practice pronouncing each food name aloud.
- Create flashcards with food pictures.
- Match foods with their main ingredients.
- Read authentic Brazilian recipes.
- Watch Brazilian cooking videos featuring traditional specialties.
- Organize foods into street foods, soups, desserts, and meat dishes.
- Research the history of Coxinha and Carne de Sol.
- Visit a Brazilian restaurant and identify foods beginning with C.
- Keep a notebook of Brazilian culinary terms.
- Try making Canjica or Coxinha at home.
- Review your favorite foods from every alphabet letter.
- Share your discoveries with family or friends.
- Test your knowledge using the worksheet.
Continue Your Brazilian Food Alphabet Journey!
The letter C introduces another incredible collection of authentic Brazilian foods. From crispy Coxinha and creamy Canjica to hearty Caldinho de Feijão and flavorful Carne de Sol, these specialties celebrate Brazil’s regional diversity, cultural heritage, and vibrant culinary traditions.
Now we’d love to hear from you! Which Brazilian food beginning with C caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic C specialty we should include? Share your recommendation in the comments, tell us your favorite Brazilian dish, and pass this worksheet along to anyone who enjoys discovering delicious foods from around the world.
