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Vegetarian Food in Portugal – 10 Best Portuguese Vegetarian Dishes And Vegan Food In Portugal to Try

vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal,

Vegetarian Food in Portugal best 10 Vegetarian Portuguese Dishes and vegan food in Portugal to Try – The Portuguese are known for making some of the best cuisines around the world. In this post, we look at 10 Portuguese Vegetarian dishes to try with some good old local dishes with a vegetarian/vegan twist.

Being a vegetarian in Portugal and vegan in Portugal should be very easy. In this post, we look at 10 Portuguese Plant-based dishes to try with some good old Portugal dishes with vegetarian/vegan twist, and some originally Portugal plant-based food to try.

Is it easy being a vegetarian in Portugal and as a vegan in Portugal? Portugal has great food from salads to tapas, to pastries and drinks. It’s definitely possible to enjoy Portuguese cuisine with vegetarian or a vegan diet.

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Vegetarian Food in Portugal: 10 Best Portuguese Vegetarian Dishes And Vegan Food in Portugal to Try

Portuguese cuisine is known for delicious seafood. And that’s not a surprise because of its location to some of the best waters in the world. Bacalhau and more seafood are top dishes to try, however we’ll look at some really good and popular vegetarian and vegan twists on Portuguese dishes in this post.

Starters – Vegan Food in Portugal And Plant-Based Food in Portugal to Try

Couvert – Vegetarian Food in Portugal

Couvert - Vegetarian Food in Portugal, vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal
Couvert,a Vegetarian in Portugal, image via Trip Advisor

Couvert is the classic vegetarian food in Portugal that you easily get served in various Portuguese restaurants. It’s an easy vegetarian starter you can have – a platter of bread and butter, olives, some carrots, and cheese.

Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde - Vegetarian Food in Portugal, vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal
Caldo Verde or Green Soup, Vegetarian Food in Portugal. Image via Wikimedia / Michael

If it’s a green soup that you’re looking for, a popular vegetarian food in Portugal that you can order as a starter is the Caldo Verde. If you keep the order plant-based, which can be requested easily in any restaurant, you will not have a problem getting your Caldo Verde vegetarian. One of the best dishes to try in Portugal.

Main Dishes

Migas – Vegetarian Food in Portugal

Migas is a vegetarian food in Portugal. vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal
Vegetarian Migas, Image via Plant-Based Portuguese

Another vegetarian food in Portugal and a staple in tables are a good vegetarian dumplings. Migas is a dish that you can easily enjoy any time of the day and can be a main dish, if you make it, although it’s usually an accompaniment to other dishes. Try when you have the chance.

Vegetarian Desserts in Portugal

Vegetarian desserts in Portugal are easy to come by, mainly because desserts don’t have meat, however, be wary because the delicious Portuguese desserts commonly have eggs.

If eggs are not for you, here are some desserts you might love:

  • Maçã Asada / Maca Assada – A delicious Portuguese dessert from baked appes, cinammon, sugar and with port wine.
vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal
Maca Assada, Vegetarian Food in Portugal, Image via Claudia
  • Peras Bebedas – Just like Maca Assada, this popular Portuguese dessert peras bebedas are pears that have been poached in wine along with sugar, cinnamon, lemon, and aniseed.
vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal, Peras Bebedas
Peras Bebedas / Peras Bebadas, Image via Cozinha a la Carte

Petiscos / Tapas – Vegetarian Food in Portugal

Tapas - Vegetarian Food in Portugal
Tapas – Vegetarian Food in Portugal
  • Azeitonas – Olives
  • Cenouras à algarvia – Slightly marinated carrots served with coriander
  • Pão – Bread
  • Tábua de queijos – A cheese board
  • Queijo fresco – Fresh cheese
  • Pimentos padron – Grilled peppers
  • Salada mista – Mixed salad
  • Ovos com espargos – eggs with asparagus
  • Tremoços – Lupini beans that are preserved in brine and usually eaten as a small snack with beer

Vegetarian & Vegan in Portugal Options of Typical Portuguese Dishes

For a long time, trying traditional Portuguese dishes like the bifana or pastel de nata just wasn’t an option for vegetarians and vegans. Thankfully, that’s all started to change. Many Portuguese cafés and restaurants have created their own vegetarian and vegan versions of some of the most common Portuguese dishes.

Vegan pastel de nata

pasteis de nata - Vegetarian Food in Portugal, vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal

Although pastéis de nata are vegetarian-friendly, if you go as a vegan in Portugal they’re not vegan-friendly. Thankfully, a lot of bakeries in Portugal have begun making vegan-friendly natas.

The traditional Pastel de Nata is not vegan-friendly, but a handful of bakeries across Lisbon have begun serving their own 100% plant-based versions of this classic local staple. Many of which are every bit as decadent as the original, with no indication you’re eating a vegan-friendly snack. Vegan bakeries in general are a good place to head for something sweet, given how most Portuguese desserts contain eggs. Exceptions to the rule include Maçã Asada (baked apples) and Peras Bebedas (poached pears), which can be fantastic for rounding off a delicious meal.

Lisbon

  • Pastelaria Batalha

Porto

  • Vegana By Tentugal

Vegetarian francesinha

Francesinha with chips, vegetarian food in Portugal, vegan food in Portugal, Portuguese vegetarian dishes, vegan in Portugal, vegetarian in Portugal, plant based food in Portugal

Traditionally made with sausage, ham, and steak, this Porto sandwich is anything but vegetarian-friendly. A few restaurants in Portugal are breaking the mould, though, creating recipes that substitute milk with mushrooms, tofu, seitan, and other vegetarian-friendly products if you go as vegetarian in Portugal.

Last up, track down a place selling vegetarian francesinha in Lisbon and you simply must try it out. This notorious sandwich from Porto is traditionally loaded with at least three kinds of meat, before being smothered in cheese and beer-infused tomato sauce. Here and there, you’ll come across innovative variations on this concoction, comprising mushrooms, tofu, seitan, and other vegetarian-friendly ingredients. All the decadence and satisfaction of the original, with none of the guilt and far fewer calories.

Hope you liked our vegetarian food in Portugal and vegan food in Portugal read. Which one is your favorite in the list of Portuguese vegetarian dishes? And vegan dishes in Portugal? Let us know which one is your favorite Portugal vegetarian food in the comments below. How do you find being vegetarian in Portugal and being vegan in Portugal?

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