🇵🇹 Portugal · Food
Favas à Portuguesa
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
🇵🇹 PTA classic spring dish from the Alentejo region, featuring tender fava beans simmered with flavorful smoked sausage, bacon, and a generous amount of fresh coriander.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
If using fresh fava beans, shell them and remove the thick outer skin for the best texture.
- 2
Finely dice the bacon and slice the chorizo into 5mm thick rounds.
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a deep pot over medium heat and sauté the bacon until it begins to crisp.
- 4
Add the chorizo slices and crushed garlic, cooking for 3 minutes until the oil turns vibrant orange.
- 5
Add the fava beans to the pot, stirring well to coat them in the flavored fat.
- 6
Pour in a small amount of water to prevent sticking, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat.
- 7
Check that the beans are buttery and tender, then add the finely chopped coriander.
- 8
Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel the fava beans?+
If they are young and small, you can leave the skin on, but for older beans, peeling the outer skin is essential for texture.
Can I use frozen fava beans?+
Yes, frozen fava beans are an excellent year-round substitute and usually come already peeled.
What is the secret to the color of the dish?+
The paprika released from the high-quality Portuguese chorizo into the olive oil provides the signature color and deep flavor.
Is bacon strictly necessary?+
While the dish is essentially built on pork flavors, you can increase the amount of chorizo instead if you lack bacon.
🇵🇹 PTMundo Match
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