Typical food from the south of Brazil

The typical food the south of Brazil, which includes the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, has traces of neighboring countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, as well as European (Germany and Portugal) and indigenous.

 They are references and a lot of flavor of typical foods from the south of Brazil! To know what to expect from the menu when you go to the region, below you can find information about the main typical dishes of the South.

Get ready to visit this region, or venture into your own kitchen by trying one of these recipes below.

15 dishes of typical food from the south of Brazil

“Carreteiro” rice

The dish was directly influenced by the shepherds who transported charque and beef. Wherever they went, they left a simple dish of desalted dried meat as a souvenir.

The most classic form is the combination of rice with dried meat, similar to risotto. Today, however, there are several versions, such as flavored with pepper and coriander.

“Matambre Stuffed

This is a good example of how food from southern regions can be labeled by neighboring countries. In this dish, Daxing is a peculiar kind of meat, which is taken between beef hide and beef ribs.

Stuffing takes cheese, onion and sausage. Then put it in the oven. An interesting recipe, isn’t it?

Barbecue

Do you think this very traditional program will be left out? no way! Grilled meat is arguably the most popular southern food among Brazilians.

In this region, barbecue preparation has some characteristics, such as the use of only coarse salt and great care in the selection of meat cuts.

An example of how this is applied is “ground ribs”, where the meat is grilled over a raw fire on the ground, i.e. without grilling.

 The most requested cuts of the gaucho are the sirloin steak, sirloin steak and ribs. When you go to one of the southern states, be sure to experience these wonders!

“Pinhão”

The seeds come from the pine nut and are very common on southern cuisine menus in cookbooks such as: pine nut paçoca, made with pine nuts and various ground meats – pork loin, bacon and beef can be mixed with it.

“Climbed Mullet”

Fish is still high in the gastronomy of the region! In the case of the creeping mullet, the fish is opened, salted and exposed to the sun. It is then grilled over coals – it can also be made with banana leaves and bamboo – and served.

For those who like seafood in general, it’s a good choice!

“Pirão”

Pirão cannot be excluded from the list of typical dishes from the southern region of Brazil, as it is influenced by the indigenous population and, therefore, carries the DNA of our ancestors!

This dish is made with tapioca flour, fish, water and spices. Simple and delicious.

“Galeto”

It is one of many quintessential southern foods that originated in a European country (in this case, Italy) as it was spread by the Italian colonies that settled there.

The “galeto” is nothing more than our beloved grilled chicken nuggets. Just thinking about how warm and golden it is makes your mouth water!

Stuffed mallards

First, it is better to explain what wild duck (drake) means. It is a bird distinguished by its rich flavor, although the tough meat requires special treatment. The stuffing consists of using well-seasoned offal.

Gaúcho cheese

Another typical food from the south of Brazil, sure to please all tastes! You know that burger that kills hunger and especially willpower?

So, Xis Gaucho is just that! Bread about 20 cm in size, stuffed with various meats: how about ribs, chicken hearts, sirloin steak, shredded meat or lamb?

The urge sends you to one of the southern restaurants that serve this Burgundy cheese!

“Barred”

The barreado, also derived from southern cuisine, receives its name from one of the devices used in it: the clay pot.

 It is sealed with tapioca dough and stuffed with well-seasoned beef that, under these conditions, cooks and falls apart little by little.

Then, the dish is served with tapioca and plantain. Incredibly delicious, it can be considered a comfort food.

Pork’s knee

Let’s agree that the pork knuckle is not the part of the pig that the family fights over it, but it is one of those typical southern dishes that is worth knowing and, most importantly, trying.

It is boiled for hours and served with pickled cabbage (or sauerkraut, which goes back to a German tradition). Wherever you are in Brazil, how about trying to prepare this southern dish in your kitchen?

“Polenta with Rabada” in Wine

This typical food from the southern region takes two popular Brazilian cuisines: polenta and oxtail, cooked with spices and wine. 

Its characteristic flavor is indisputable, but it must also be said that it looks very beautiful!

Southern seafood

Seafood is also a typical food in the South, especially in coastal areas. So you can expect a lot of different shrimp and fish when you travel there!

“Chimarrão”

Well, well, “chimarrão” is a drink… That said, when talking about delicacies from the South Region, it is impossible not to mention that name!

It is a tea made from yerba mate, served in a gourd and drunk through a metal straw called a bomba. Going there and not trying this drink is almost the same as not going there.

“Running Skewer”

Unexpectedly, the protagonist of this typical dish from the south of Brazil is the meat! It’s a perfect all-you-can-eat option for those who are hungry and want to kill the urge to eat meat, lots of meat.