Popular Portuguese cuisine includes unique seafood dishes, flavorful stews and more

Portuguese food is both unique and diverse. There is something for every palate on the menu, with offerings for seafood fans and meat lovers. 

Portuguese cuisine is full of bold flavors. Many Portuguese recipes call for potatoes, garlic, onions and rice. 

If you don’t have a trip to Portugal in the books, no worries. Portuguese food is made in restaurants and bakeries all around the United States. 

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If you’re feeling up to the task, you can also create popular Portuguese dishes right in your own kitchen. 

Below are a few popular bites to try. 

1. Bacalhau à brás (salted cod)
2. Polvo à Lagareiro (octopus with olive oil and potatoes)
3. Arroz de pato (duck rice)
4. Sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines)
5. Cataplana de marisco (seafood stew)
6. Pastel de nata (custard tart)

1. Bacalhau à brás (salted cod)

Bacalhau, or salted cod, is one of the most popular foods in Portugal. 

Bacalhau à brás is one way the fish is served. 

Shredded cod is used in bacalhau à brás, and is mixed with chopped onion, fried potatoes, thinly chopped and scrambled egg, according to Food & Wine. 

This dish is traditionally topped with parsley and olives.

Bacalhau à bras is a mixture of ingredients, including shredded cod, potatoes and onions.  (Paul Yeung/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

2. Polvo à Lagareiro (octopus with olive oil and potatoes)

Another popular seafood dish in Portugal is polvo à lagareiro, which is octopus with olive oil and potatoes. 

This dish is a simple one, but the challenge comes with cooking the octopus to perfection. 

The ideal texture is soft, rather than rubbery, according to Portugal.com. 

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In this dish, the octopus is baked with olive oil and plenty of garlic, served with smashed, seasoned potatoes on the side. 

3. Arroz de pato (duck rice)

Arroz de pato, or duck rice, is another dish made with few ingredients but is still packed with flavor. 

The shredded duck in this dish is served over rice alongside Chouriço, Portuguese sausage.

When making this dish at home, don’t dump the stock from the duck. You can use it to add flavor to your rice. 

Chouriço, a Portuguese sausage, is used in many dishes.  (Bob Henry/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Arroz de pato is typically served on special occasions like Sunday dinner or holidays like Christmas and New Year’s.

4. Sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines)

Sardinhas assadas, grilled sardines, may look a bit intimidating to first-timers, but it’s a beloved Portuguese dish. 

The dish can be found in Portugal year round, but it is especially popular in Lisbon during the Feast of St. Anthony, Food & Wine notes. 

The sardines are grilled after being marinaded in olive oil, lemon, garlic and other seasonings. 

Sardines served grilled, covered in olive oil and seasoning, is a must-have while in Portugal.  (Horacio Villalobos#476916#51B ED/Corbis via Getty Images)

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The grilled sardines are often served on a piece of toasted bread. 

5. Cataplana de marisco (seafood stew)

If you love seafood, this dish is packed with it. 

This stew is made with an abundance of seafood, including fresh fish, clams and shrimp. 

White wine, olive oil, potatoes, onion, garlic and tomatoes are other prominent ingredients in the popular dish. 

6. Pastel de nata (custard tart)

Closing out the list is a delicious sweet treat.

This pastry has a flaky outside with a sweet custard in the center. 

The custard is made using milk, cornstarch, vanilla bean, sugar and egg yolks, according to All Recipes. 

Pastel de nata is sold in Portuguese bakeries around the United States.  (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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A sprinkle of cinnamon often tops the pastry, and it is commonly paired with a cup of coffee.