Futebol is the ultimate religion in Brazil!
And when the Brazilian national soccer team is playing the Samba nation comes to a screeching halt.
So much so that Brazilians often skip work to view their national team play. And for good reason.
The national team of Brazil has won the most soccer World Cup titles of all time with five, winning the tournament in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and, most recently, in 2002.
With the 2022 World Cup coming up it’s time to plan a winning menu!
10 Brazilian Dishes for the 2022 World Cup
Here are 10 popular Brazilian foods to serve up family and friends as they root on Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Fabinho and the rest of the squad.
1. Acai na Tigela
What better way to kick off game day than with this popular Brazilian breakfast food?
Acai Na Tigela translates to “acai in a bowl”.
It is a Brazilian dish native to the regions of Pará and Amazonas, Brazil. It is a healthy snack that can really be enjoyed any time of day.
Acai Na Tigela is naturally made from the famous Brazilian acai fruit.
The fruit is smashed into a creamy purée and typically served as a smoothie in a bowl or sometimes in a glass.
Acai Na Tigela is commonly topped with bananas and granola.
Many Brazilians also mix in other fruits and guaraná syrup.
2. Pao de Queijo
Here’s the perfect Brazilian treat to serve family and friends while watching the Samba boys in action.
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, Pao de Queijo is a beloved Brazilian snack similar to a dinner roll.
But it’s much more than that!
Pão de Queijo is a Brazilian cheese bread. The key ingredient being cassava root, making Pão de Queijo gluten free.
It is traditionally eaten with breakfast or as an any time snack and pairs well with your favorite Brazilian beverage.
You can even try it with some doce de leite (dulce de leche) or goiabada!
3. Coxinha
Brazilians can’t get enough of this popular street food.
There are lots of different spins and versions of Coxinhas.
However, the most common coxinha is coxinha de frango (chicken). It’s typically filled with shredded chicken and catupiry cheese.
Some cooks will add things like onions, parsley, scallions, and tomato.
Whatever the filling is, it’s then covered in dough and breadcrumbs and deep-fried to a delicious golden brown.
Once it’s out of the fryer, you can also serve it up with different dipping sauces.
4. Acarajé
You’ll love acarajé!
It’s a small Brazilian fritter made from black-eyed peas.
The dish uses onions and ground dried shrimp to give it an extra punch in flavor.
They’re shaped into balls and deep-fried in boiling azeite dende also known as Brazilian palm oil.
The balls are then split in half and filled vatapa, a creamy paste made from finely ground peanuts, shrimp and coconut milk.
This Brazilian favorite has a strong flavor, a pleasant sour tang that complements the beans’ sweet, earthy taste.
5. Guarana Antarctica
To not be a fan of Guarana Antarctica is to be unpatriotic!
From grade school kids to senior citizens, guarana soda is a classic Brazilian drink that is as representative of Brazil as the national Brazilian soccer team.
It has a golden-caramel color and a sweet, unique taste.
Like most sodas it is carbonated and its ingredients include sugar and corn syrup . It can be purchased in bottles and cans.
You’ll find guarana soda throughout the country; at Brazilian restaurants, sports venues, schools and virtually every Brazilian refrigerator.
6. Picanha
Picanha is the star of the traditional Brazilian BBQ!
A beautifully cooked picanha steak is one of the most classic cuts of meat you will find at a churrascaria, also known as a Brazilian steakhouse.
The specific cut is the top part of the sirloin steak.
Because of its thick layer of fat, picanha really melts in your mouth when it is cooked just right.
7. Farofa
Farofa is a classic Brazilian side dish that is primarily made from toasted manioc flour.
The farofa recipe is commonly mixed with nuts or raisins, and you’ll also find hard-boiled or scrambled eggs included, too.
To really take things up a notch, bananas are typically added to the recipe.
Bananas and raisins give farofa a subtle sweetness, while the smokiness of the bacon offsets the sweet flavor.
Since farofa is considered the official side dish of Brazil, it’s only fitting you serve it up at your watch party!
8. Feijoada
The Brazilian national dish is enjoyed and celebrated across the samba country.
You do not need specialized knowledge to make a delicious feijoada meal for your watch party guests.
It is relatively low-cost, and you can prepare in large quantities without much effort.
You’ll need black beans, slices of bacon, boneless pork, bay leaves, and salt to make it.
Other ingredients include black pepper, beef, onions, and garlic.
Here’s a feijoada recipe you can make at home.
9. Brigadeiro
A Brigadeiro is a chocolate-based confectionery found in Brazil.
It is a traditional chocolate-based Brazilian dessert made of condensed milk, cocoa, and butter.
These chocolate truffles are the number one choice in Brazil.
Brigadeiros are very addictive in taste: if you have one, you will want to have one more.
And there’s no better way to end a traditional Brazilian meal than with brigadeiros.
10. Brazilian Coffee
We’re quite sure you won’t be lacking for energy while watching the Brazilian National Team.
But some traditional Brazilian coffee will most certainly take you to a whole nother level!
Brazilian people are quite proud of their coffee. When someone offers you a cup of coffee in Brazil accept it.
Brazil produces about one third of the world’s coffee supply. And has earned a reputation as one of the best latin coffee producers in the world.
So do everyone a favor and serve your favorite brand of Brazilian coffee!
Cheer On Brazil To A 2022 World Cup Title
These popular Brazilian foods will surely make your World Cup watch party a hit!
We know the National Soccer Team of Brazil will be ready, and now so will you.
So, kick back, grab a caipirinha or your favorite Brazilian beer and cheer on Neymar and the boys to a sixth World Cup title!
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.