The letter E introduces a flavorful collection of Portuguese foods, featuring savory pastries, grilled meats, traditional egg-based desserts, and comforting vegetable dishes. From flaky Empada and juicy Espetada to sweet Encharcada and hearty Ervilhas com Ovos, these specialties showcase Portugal’s rich culinary heritage and regional traditions.
Alongside favorites like Bacalhau, Caldo Verde, Pastéis de Nata, and Francesinha, the foods beginning with E offer another exciting opportunity to explore authentic Portuguese food culture.
This guide explores Portuguese foods that start with E, introducing traditional recipes, regional specialties, and classic dishes enjoyed throughout Portugal.
E Explores Portugal’s Traditional Home Cooking
The letter E contains several authentic Portuguese food names, representing baked pastries, grilled specialties, convent-inspired desserts, and comforting everyday meals.
One of the best-known examples is Empada, a traditional Portuguese pie with a flaky crust filled with chicken, beef, duck, seafood, or mushrooms. These savory pastries are popular as snacks, lunches, and bakery favorites throughout Portugal.
Another favorite is Espetada, a grilled meat skewer that is especially famous on the island of Madeira. Large cubes of beef are seasoned with garlic, bay leaves, salt, and olive oil before being grilled over an open flame and served on traditional laurel wood skewers.
Dessert lovers may already know Encharcada, a classic convent-style dessert from the Alentejo region. Made with egg yolks, sugar syrup, and cinnamon, it reflects Portugal’s centuries-old tradition of egg-based sweets.
You’ll also encounter Ervilhas com Ovos, a comforting dish prepared with peas simmered in onions, garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes before eggs are gently poached in the flavorful sauce. It is a popular home-cooked meal across Portugal.
Other authentic Portuguese foods beginning with E include Esparregado, Escabeche de Peixe, Ensopado de Borrego, Empadão de Carne, Empadão de Bacalhau, Enguias Fritas, Espadarte Grelhado, and Ervilhas com Chouriço.
These foods show that the letter E offers an excellent introduction to authentic Portuguese cuisine.
Benefits of Learning Portuguese Foods Beginning With E
- Complete your Portuguese food vocabulary from A to Z.
- Discover authentic regional Portuguese specialties.
- Learn about traditional Portuguese cooking methods.
- Explore pastries, grilled meats, vegetable dishes, seafood, 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 E
The list below features Portuguese foods beginning with the letter E, including savory pastries, grilled dishes, seafood specialties, vegetable recipes, desserts, and regional favorites enjoyed throughout Portugal.
The letter E represents a diverse collection of Portuguese cooking traditions. You’ll find beef, chicken, seafood, peas, eggs, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, herbs, and traditional pastry ingredients appearing throughout the collection.
Many of these dishes have been enjoyed for generations and remain staples in Portuguese homes, cafés, restaurants, and festive celebrations. Their enduring popularity reflects Portugal’s appreciation for fresh ingredients, regional recipes, and homemade cooking.
Egg Syrup Dessert
Encharcada
Syllable: en-shar-KA-da
Pronunciation: Encharcada
- Egg syrup dessert is sweet and rich. – A encharcada é doce e rica.
- It is made with egg yolks and sugar. – É feita com gemas de ovo e açúcar.
- We enjoyed egg syrup dessert after lunch. – Gostámos de encharcada depois do almoço.
Egg Encharcada
Encharcada de Ovos
Syllable: en-shar-KA-da dji O-vush
Pronunciation: Encharcada de Ovos
- Egg encharcada is a traditional convent sweet. – A encharcada de ovos é um doce conventual tradicional.
- It has a soft texture. – Tem uma textura macia.
- We tasted egg encharcada yesterday. – Provámos encharcada de ovos ontem.
Chicken Pie
Empada de Frango
Syllable: em-PA-da dji FRAN-gu
Pronunciation: Empada de Frango
- Chicken pie is warm and delicious. – A empada de frango é quente e deliciosa.
- It has a creamy filling. – Tem um recheio cremoso.
- We ate a chicken pie for lunch. – Comemos uma empada de frango ao almoço.
Tuna Pie
Empada de Atum
Syllable: em-PA-da dji a-TUM
Pronunciation: Empada de Atum
- Tuna pie is light and tasty. – A empada de atum é leve e saborosa.
- It is baked until golden. – É assada até dourar.
- We bought a tuna pie. – Comprámos uma empada de atum.
Small Pies
Empadas
Syllable: em-PA-dash
Pronunciation: Empadas
- Small pies are popular snacks. – As empadas são um petisco popular.
- They have different fillings. – Têm diferentes recheios.
- We shared some small pies. – Partilhámos algumas empadas.
Lamb Stew
Ensopado de Borrego
Syllable: en-su-PA-du dji bu-RRE-gu
Pronunciation: Ensopado de Borrego
- Lamb stew is rich and comforting. – O ensopado de borrego é rico e reconfortante.
- It is cooked slowly. – É cozinhado lentamente.
- We enjoyed lamb stew for dinner. – Gostámos de ensopado de borrego ao jantar.
Fish Stew
Ensopado de Peixe
Syllable: en-su-PA-du dji PAY-shi
Pronunciation: Ensopado de Peixe
- Fish stew is full of fresh flavour. – O ensopado de peixe é cheio de sabor fresco.
- It is served with bread. – É servido com pão.
- We had fish stew today. – Comemos ensopado de peixe hoje.
Pickled Fish
Escabeche de Peixe
Syllable: esh-ka-BE-shi dji PAY-shi
Pronunciation: Escabeche de Peixe
- Pickled fish has a tangy flavour. – O escabeche de peixe tem um sabor intenso.
- It is served cold. – É servido frio.
- We tried pickled fish as a starter. – Provámos escabeche de peixe como entrada.
Madeiran Beef Skewers
Espetada Madeirense
Syllable: esh-pe-TA-da ma-day-REN-si
Pronunciation: Espetada Madeirense
- Madeiran beef skewers are famous. – A espetada madeirense é famosa.
- It is grilled over wood fire. – É grelhada em lume de lenha.
- We enjoyed Madeiran beef skewers. – Gostámos de espetada madeirense.
Beef Skewers
Espetada de Novilho
Syllable: esh-pe-TA-da dji nu-VI-lyu
Pronunciation: Espetada de Novilho
- Beef skewers are juicy and tender. – A espetada de novilho é suculenta e tenra.
- It is served with chips. – É servida com batatas fritas.
- We ordered beef skewers. – Pedimos espetada de novilho.
Creamed Spinach
Esparregado
Syllable: esh-pa-rre-GA-du
Pronunciation: Esparregado
- Creamed spinach is smooth and tasty. – O esparregado é cremoso e saboroso.
- It goes well with grilled meat. – Combina bem com carne grelhada.
- We served creamed spinach with dinner. – Servimos esparregado ao jantar.
Peas with Eggs
Ervilhas com Ovos
Syllable: er-VI-lyash kong O-vush
Pronunciation: Ervilhas com Ovos
- Peas with eggs are a traditional meal. – As ervilhas com ovos são uma refeição tradicional.
- The eggs are cooked in the sauce. – Os ovos são cozinhados no molho.
- We enjoyed peas with eggs for lunch. – Gostámos de ervilhas com ovos ao almoço.
Braised Peas
Ervilhas Guisadas
Syllable: er-VI-lyash gi-ZA-dash
Pronunciation: Ervilhas Guisadas
- Braised peas are simple and delicious. – As ervilhas guisadas são simples e deliciosas.
- They are cooked with onions. – São cozinhadas com cebola.
- We ate braised peas with bread. – Comemos ervilhas guisadas com pão.
Portuguese Cuisine Combines Simplicity and Elegance
One of the defining strengths of Portuguese cuisine is its ability to transform simple ingredients into memorable meals while preserving centuries-old culinary traditions.
Empada represents Portugal’s beloved bakery culture, while Espetada showcases Madeira’s famous grilling traditions. Encharcada highlights the country’s rich convent dessert heritage, and Ervilhas com Ovos reflects the comforting simplicity of everyday Portuguese home cooking.
Together, these specialties demonstrate how Portuguese cuisine blends Mediterranean flavors, Atlantic influences, and regional traditions into unforgettable dishes.
Practice Activities
- Learn five Portuguese foods beginning with E.
- 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 pastries, grilled dishes, desserts, and vegetable recipes.
- Research the history of Espetada and Encharcada.
- Visit a Portuguese restaurant and identify foods beginning with E.
- Keep a notebook of Portuguese culinary terms.
- Try making Empadas or Ervilhas com Ovos 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 E introduces another delicious collection of authentic Portuguese foods. From flaky Empada and juicy Espetada to sweet Encharcada and comforting Ervilhas com Ovos, 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 E caught your attention the most, or is there another authentic E 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.
