How to Make Portuguese Francesinha (Recipe Guide)

Our guide on How to Make Portuguese Francesinha one of the most delicious dishes in Portugal.

Francesinha, a signature dish from Porto, Portugal, is a unique and indulgent sandwich known for its layers of meats and its rich, spicy sauce. This dish is not for the faint-hearted—it’s hearty, packed with flavor, and quite filling.

Francesinha is a beloved Portuguese comfort food, ideal for those times when you crave something satisfying and indulgent. It’s a true reflection of Porto’s rich culinary culture.

Here’s how to prepare a traditional Francesinha, along with some tips to nail the recipe and an estimate of its calorie content.

Read Here Best Traditional Portuguese Dishes and Best breakfast in Portugal

Read here Road trip to Algarve, the most instagrammable places in Portugal and all the things to know before visiting Portugal!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki

How to Make Francesinha

Francesinha Recipe Ingredients

For the Sandwich:

2 slices of white bread (preferably thick slices)
Steak or roast beef, thinly sliced
Fresh sausage, such as linguica
Ham, thinly sliced
Cheese slices (Portuguese flamengo cheese is traditional, but you can use mozzarella or similar)
1 egg (optional, for topping)

For the Sauce:

1 can of beer
1 cup of tomato sauce
1/2 cup of brandy or port wine
1/2 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
Hot sauce, to taste
Paprika, to taste
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Get the best deals for your home and kitchen needs

Step By Step How to Make Francesinha

Prepare the Sauce

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent.

Add the tomato sauce, beer, brandy or port wine, and milk to the pan. Season with paprika, hot sauce, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly. Adjust the seasoning and spiciness to your taste. Remove the bay leaf and blend the sauce until smooth using a blender or hand mixer. Set aside.

Assemble the Sandwich

Toast the bread slices lightly. On one slice of bread, layer the steak, sausage, ham, and cover with slices of cheese.
Top with the second slice of bread and then cover the entire sandwich with more cheese slices, ensuring all the bread is covered. If using, fry an egg to place on top of the sandwich.

Bake the Sandwich

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled sandwich in an oven-safe dish or skillet. Pour the hot sauce over the sandwich until it is completely covered. Bake in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve

Serve hot, topped with the fried egg if used. It’s traditionally served with French fries.

Tips To Make Francesinha

Use sturdy, thick-sliced bread that can hold up under the weight of the meats and the sauce without becoming too soggy. Quality meats make a difference. Use fresh sausage and good-quality steak or roast beef.

The sauce should be spicy, slightly thick, and plentiful. It’s the hallmark of a good Francesinha. The cheese should fully cover the sandwich for the perfect melt and flavor encapsulation.

How Many Calories Have Francesinha

Francesinha is quite high in calories due to the meats, cheese, and sauce. A single sandwich can range between 800 to 1200 calories, especially if served with fries and topped with an egg.