The letter B introduces one of the richest collections of Portuguese foods, featuring the country’s famous salt cod dishes, hearty sandwiches, traditional breads, and beloved pastries. From iconic Bacalhau and flavorful Bifana to sweet Bola de Berlim and rustic Broa de Milho, these specialties highlight Portugal’s remarkable culinary heritage and regional diversity.
Alongside favorites like Caldo Verde, Pastéis de Nata, Francesinha, and Açorda, the foods beginning with B offer another exciting opportunity to explore authentic Portuguese food culture.
This guide explores Portuguese foods that start with B, introducing traditional recipes, regional specialties, and classic dishes enjoyed throughout Portugal.
B Brings Portugal’s Most Beloved Specialties
The letter B contains many authentic Portuguese food names, including some of the country’s most iconic dishes and bakery favorites.
One of the best-known examples is Bacalhau, Portugal’s legendary salt cod. Prepared in hundreds of different ways, popular recipes include Bacalhau à Brás, Bacalhau com Natas, and Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. It is considered Portugal’s national ingredient and remains central to the country’s culinary identity.
Another favorite is Bifana, a traditional sandwich made with thin slices of marinated pork cooked with garlic, white wine, paprika, and spices before being served in a crusty Portuguese bread roll. It is one of Portugal’s most popular street foods.
Bakery lovers may already know Bola de Berlim, a Portuguese doughnut filled with rich egg-yolk custard. It is especially famous at Portugal’s beaches, where vendors sell the pastries fresh throughout the summer.
You’ll also encounter Broa de Milho, a rustic corn and rye bread with a dense texture and slightly sweet flavor. It pairs perfectly with soups, cheeses, and traditional Portuguese meals.
Other authentic Portuguese foods beginning with B include Bacalhau à Brás, Bacalhau com Natas, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Bolo Rei, Bolo de Bolacha, Brisas do Lis, Bucho Recheado, and Bolinhos de Bacalhau.
These foods show that the letter B offers an outstanding introduction to authentic Portuguese cuisine.
Benefits of Learning Portuguese Foods Beginning With B
- Complete your Portuguese food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Portuguese specialties.
- Learn about traditional Portuguese cooking methods.
- Explore seafood dishes, sandwiches, breads, pastries, and desserts.
- Recognize iconic foods served across Portugal.
- Improve confidence when reading Portuguese restaurant menus.
- Strengthen memory through alphabetical learning.
- Prepare for travel by identifying local specialties.
- Support classroom and worksheet activities.
- Learn about Portugal’s rich culinary heritage.
- Find inspiration for cooking authentic Portuguese recipes at home.
- Experience both savory and sweet Portuguese foods.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for Portuguese cuisine.
Portuguese Foods That Start With B
The list below features Portuguese foods beginning with the letter B, including seafood specialties, breads, sandwiches, pastries, desserts, and regional favorites enjoyed throughout Portugal.
The letter B represents an impressive variety of Portuguese cooking traditions. You’ll find salt cod, pork, cornmeal, rye flour, eggs, garlic, olive oil, seafood, herbs, and traditional bakery ingredients appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these dishes have been enjoyed for generations and remain staples in Portuguese homes, cafés, seaside restaurants, bakeries, and festive celebrations. Their enduring popularity reflects Portugal’s appreciation for simple recipes built on exceptional ingredients.
Codfish à Brás
Bacalhau à Brás
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a BRASH
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Brás
- Codfish à Brás is a famous Portuguese dish. – O bacalhau à Brás é um prato português muito famoso.
- It is made with cod, eggs, and potatoes. – É feito com bacalhau, ovos e batata.
- We ate codfish à Brás for dinner. – Comemos bacalhau à Brás ao jantar.
Codfish à Gomes de Sá
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a GO-mesh dji SA
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá
- Codfish à Gomes de Sá is full of flavour. – O bacalhau à Gomes de Sá é muito saboroso.
- It is baked with onions and olives. – É assado com cebola e azeitonas.
- We enjoyed this cod dish. – Gostámos deste prato de bacalhau.
Codfish à Lagareiro
Bacalhau à Lagareiro
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a la-ga-RAY-ru
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Lagareiro
- Codfish à Lagareiro is served with olive oil. – O bacalhau à Lagareiro é servido com azeite.
- It comes with roasted potatoes. – É servido com batatas a murro.
- We ordered codfish à Lagareiro. – Pedimos bacalhau à Lagareiro.
Codfish à Zé do Pipo
Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a ZE du PEE-pu
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo
- Codfish à Zé do Pipo is creamy and delicious. – O bacalhau à Zé do Pipo é cremoso e delicioso.
- It is topped with mashed potatoes. – É coberto com puré de batata.
- We liked this traditional recipe. – Gostámos desta receita tradicional.
Codfish with Cream
Bacalhau com Natas
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU kom NA-tash
Pronunciation: Bacalhau com Natas
- Codfish with cream is rich and creamy. – O bacalhau com natas é rico e cremoso.
- It is baked in the oven. – É gratinado no forno.
- My family loves this dish. – A minha família adora este prato.
Spiritual Codfish
Bacalhau Espiritual
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU es-pi-ri-tu-AL
Pronunciation: Bacalhau Espiritual
- Spiritual codfish is soft and creamy. – O bacalhau espiritual é macio e cremoso.
- It is baked until golden. – É levado ao forno até dourar.
- We had spiritual codfish for lunch. – Comemos bacalhau espiritual ao almoço.
Roasted Codfish
Bacalhau Assado
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a-SA-du
Pronunciation: Bacalhau Assado
- Roasted codfish is simple and tasty. – O bacalhau assado é simples e saboroso.
- It is served with vegetables. – É servido com legumes.
- We enjoyed roasted codfish. – Gostámos de bacalhau assado.
Boiled Codfish
Bacalhau Cozido
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU ku-ZI-du
Pronunciation: Bacalhau Cozido
- Boiled codfish is a traditional meal. – O bacalhau cozido é uma refeição tradicional.
- It is served with potatoes and cabbage. – É servido com batatas e couve.
- We ate boiled codfish today. – Comemos bacalhau cozido hoje.
Grilled Codfish
Bacalhau Grelhado
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU gre-LYA-du
Pronunciation: Bacalhau Grelhado
- Grilled codfish has a wonderful flavour. – O bacalhau grelhado tem um sabor excelente.
- It is cooked over charcoal. – É grelhado no carvão.
- We ordered grilled codfish. – Pedimos bacalhau grelhado.
Oven-Baked Codfish
Bacalhau no Forno
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU nu FOR-nu
Pronunciation: Bacalhau no Forno
- Oven-baked codfish is comforting. – O bacalhau no forno é reconfortante.
- It is cooked with onions and potatoes. – É cozinhado com cebola e batatas.
- We made oven-baked codfish yesterday. – Fizemos bacalhau no forno ontem.
Codfish with Cornbread
Bacalhau com Broa
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU kom BRO-a
Pronunciation: Bacalhau com Broa
- Codfish with cornbread is delicious. – O bacalhau com broa é delicioso.
- The cornbread becomes crispy. – A broa fica estaladiça.
- We enjoyed this traditional dish. – Gostámos deste prato tradicional.
Codfish à Minhota
Bacalhau à Minhota
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a mi-NHO-ta
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Minhota
- Codfish à Minhota is very popular. – O bacalhau à Minhota é muito popular.
- It is served with fried potatoes. – É servido com batatas fritas.
- We tried it in northern Portugal. – Provámo-lo no norte de Portugal.
Codfish à Narcisa
Bacalhau à Narcisa
Syllable: ba-ka-LHAU a nar-SEE-sa
Pronunciation: Bacalhau à Narcisa
- Codfish à Narcisa is crispy and tasty. – O bacalhau à Narcisa é estaladiço e saboroso.
- It is served with fried potatoes. – É servido com batatas fritas.
- We enjoyed codfish à Narcisa. – Gostámos de bacalhau à Narcisa.
Beef Bifana
Bifana
Syllable: bi-FA-na
Pronunciation: Bifana (beef version)
- A beef bifana is quick and tasty. – A bifana é rápida e saborosa.
- It is served in a bread roll. – É servida num pão.
- We ate a bifana for lunch. – Comemos uma bifana ao almoço.
Portuguese Steak
Bife à Portuguesa
Syllable: BI-fe a por-tu-GAY-za
Pronunciation: Bife à Portuguesa (beef version)
- Portuguese steak is rich in flavour. – O bife à Portuguesa é muito saboroso.
- It is served with ham and egg. – É servido com presunto e ovo.
- We ordered Portuguese steak. – Pedimos bife à Portuguesa.
Steak on a Stone
Bife na Pedra
Syllable: BI-fe na PE-dra
Pronunciation: Bife na Pedra
- Steak on a stone is served hot. – O bife na pedra é servido muito quente.
- You cook it at the table. – Cozinha-se à mesa.
- We enjoyed this fun meal. – Gostámos desta refeição diferente.
Meat Bread
Bola de Carne
Syllable: BO-la dji KAR-ni
Pronunciation: Bola de Carne (beef version)
- Meat bread is soft and filling. – A bola de carne é fofa e substancial.
- It is perfect for a picnic. – É perfeita para um piquenique.
- We shared a slice of meat bread. – Partilhámos uma fatia de bola de carne.
Codfish Fritters
Bolinhos de Bacalhau
Syllable: bu-LI-nyush dji ba-ka-LHAU
Pronunciation: Bolinhos de Bacalhau
- Codfish fritters are crispy outside. – Os bolinhos de bacalhau são estaladiços por fora.
- They are soft inside. – São macios por dentro.
- We ate codfish fritters as a starter. – Comemos bolinhos de bacalhau como entrada.
Cornbread
Broa de Milho
Syllable: BRO-a dji MI-lyu
Pronunciation: Broa de Milho
- Cornbread is rustic and tasty. – A broa de milho é rústica e saborosa.
- It goes well with soup. – Combina bem com sopa.
- We bought fresh cornbread. – Comprámos broa de milho fresca.
Nun\’s Belly Dessert
Barriga de Freira
Syllable: ba-RRI-ga dji FRAY-ra
Pronunciation: Barriga de Freira
- Barriga de Freira is a traditional dessert. – A barriga de freira é uma sobremesa tradicional.
- It is sweet and creamy. – É doce e cremosa.
- We enjoyed it after lunch. – Gostámos dela depois do almoço.
Portuguese Cuisine Preserves Timeless Traditions
One of the defining strengths of Portuguese cuisine is its ability to preserve centuries-old recipes while celebrating regional ingredients and local craftsmanship.
Bacalhau represents Portugal’s most famous culinary tradition, while Bifana showcases the country’s vibrant street food culture. Bola de Berlim reflects Portugal’s beloved bakery traditions, and Broa de Milho highlights the importance of rustic breads in everyday Portuguese meals.
Together, these specialties demonstrate how Portuguese cuisine blends Atlantic seafood, Mediterranean flavors, and generations of culinary expertise into unforgettable dishes.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Portuguese foods beginning with B.
- Practice pronouncing each food name aloud.
- Create flashcards with food pictures.
- Match foods with their main ingredients.
- Read authentic Portuguese recipes.
- Watch Portuguese cooking videos featuring traditional specialties.
- Organize foods into seafood dishes, breads, sandwiches, pastries, and desserts.
- Research the history of Bacalhau and Bifana.
- Visit a Portuguese restaurant and identify foods beginning with B.
- Keep a notebook of Portuguese culinary terms.
- Try making Bolinhos de Bacalhau or Broa de Milho 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 Portuguese Food Alphabet Journey!
The letter B introduces one of the richest collections of authentic Portuguese foods. From iconic Bacalhau and flavorful Bifana to sweet Bola de Berlim and rustic Broa de Milho, these specialties celebrate Portugal’s regional diversity, culinary heritage, and timeless cooking traditions.
Now we’d love to hear from you! Which Portuguese food beginning with B caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic B specialty we should include? Share your recommendation in the comments, tell us your favorite Portuguese dish, and pass this worksheet along to anyone who enjoys discovering delicious foods from around the world.






