What to Eat and Drink in Southern Brazil

One of my favorite things about traveling abroad is trying new foods. So far, Brazilian food is my favorite of all the places I have been to, so you are in for a treat. My husband is Brazilian, so I tried some of these things before even traveling to Brazil for the first time. You can find many of these things in San Antonio at international markets or Brazilian food trucks!

In this post, I will go over the top 10 things to eat and the top 5 things to drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in Southern Brazil.

So, let’s get started!

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Top 10 Things to Eat in Brazil

1). Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue)

Firstly, what Brazil is known for. Churrasco is a premium cut of meat (the most popular is picanha) that is covered in coarse salt and then grilled to perfection. The meat is cut into thin slices and then served with farofa (fried cassava flour).

In addition to the meat, other things grilled at a churrasco include queijo coalho (squeaky cheese on a stick), garlic bread, and coraçōes (chicken hearts).

In Brazil, many get-togethers revolve around churrasco. I’m from Texas, so I am used to barbecuing with friends and family for special occasions, like the Superbowl or birthday parties, but churrascos happen much more frequently in Brazil!

Fun Fact: Brazilian barbecue is a delicacy here in America, costing hundreds of dollars to eat at a Brazilian steakhouse. But, in Brazil, it is widely consumed and considered a standard food.

2). Fondue

I know we have fondue in America and other parts of the world, but the fondue in Brazil hits differently. This is because of their high-quality meat, as discussed in the above section.

My husband and I traveled to Gramado and had a fantastic fondue dinner with meats, potatoes, cheeses, and lots of dipping sauces. Oh, and farofa, of course. Then we had the dessert fondue, with different types of fruit to dip in the chocolate.

3). Pão do quiejo (cheese bread)

Next, the most delicious cheese bread you will ever have: Pão do quiejo.

Pão do quiejo is a small, baked bread ball filled with chewy cheese. You can find them practically anywhere in Brazil (airports, supermarkets, convenience stores, street markets, bars, etc.) They are often eaten as a snack or a light breakfast with coffee.

Tip: try them with requeijão spread on top

4). Feijoada

Feijoada (pronounced fay-jwa-da) is like a stew with black beans (feijão) and meat (pork ribs, sausage, bacon.. really anything). And like many dishes in Brazil, it is common to eat feijoada with farofa on top. This dish is also served with rice.

5). Pastel

The best way to describe this tasty treat is that it is similar to an empanada but fried rather than baked. The most famous types of pastel are cheese or ground beef. But anything can go inside. The shrimp pastel is fantastic!

They’re usually eaten as an appetizer or snack and can be found at many beach bars and restaurants.

6). Coxinha

Coxinha, or a Brazilian chicken croquette, is a popular snack. Similar to pastel, it can be filled with pretty much anything. However, the frango (chicken) & catupiry is the most popular one and my favorite. Catupiry is like cream cheese and is so tasty!

7). Tapioca

Tapioca is a typical Brazilian snack. It is made using a white powder, the starch extracted from cassava root. Like most things in Brazil, anything can be used inside, such as ham and cheese, requeijão, beef, etc.

8). Crepe

sweet or savory… your pick

Like fondue, you can find crepes in many other countries, but they are special in Brazil. Crepes here can be either sweet or savory, or both. The one shown in the picture above is stuffed with chicken on one side and chocolate bars on the other.

9). Brigadeiros

The traditional brigadeiro has three simple ingredients (condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder). This is referred to as a “negrinho” in the south.

There are other flavors, such as Branquinho or Beijinho de Coco. They are the same except with a slight ingredient variation and topping to change the flavor.

10). Açaí Bowl

And last but not least: Açaí (pronounced a-sah-ee). I have had açaí bowls in San Antonio, but they are much better in Brazil.

Firstly, they are not blended with milk. Instead, they are made with the guaraná plant, so the açaí flavor is more robust. Secondly, the toppings are different. Toppings typically include fruit, granola, paçoca, and leite condensado.

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Top 5 Things to Drink

Alcoholic

1). Caipirinha

Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pee-ree-nyah) is Brazil’s national cocktail! It is made with a unique liquor made from sugar cane called cachaça (ka-shah-suh), lime juice, and sugar.

There are many variations in liquor, such as the Caipiroska (a caipirinha made with vodka). They are also often made with different fruits to give them different flavors. A popular one is maracuja (passion fruit).

2). Chopp

Chopp is a non-pasteurized draft beer. The most popular in the South is Chopp Brahma. Interestingly, non-pasteurized beer is not allowed in the United States. Beer and chopp are made with the same ingredients, but regular beer undergoes pasteurization to extend its shelf life, altering the taste.

Non-Alcoholic

3). Maté

Maté is a traditional, caffeinated drink like green tea. It is commonly drunk in the container (a gourd or calabash) shown above. I saw many people drinking it in Brazil and carrying it at the park or the beach.

4). Guaraná Antartica

The Soda of Brazil

This soda tastes like the guaraná plant (the same one used in açaí bowls). Typically, I wouldn’t say I like soda, but guaraná is good because it does not taste super artificial.

5). Agua de Coco

Coconut water… so refreshing!

You can buy an actual coconut at the beaches in Brazil, and all they do is chop the top off and stick a straw in it for you to drink.

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Writing this blog post makes me miss Brazil! Seriously, the food here is some of the best food I have had. It is fresh and flavorful. If you plan a trip to Southern Brazil, you cannot miss out on trying these things.

But even if you do not travel to Brazil, you can make many of these dishes at home. Click here to read a blog that has Brazilan food recipes you can make at home.

Madison Marie

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