Authentic Portuguese Bifana
A classic Portuguese sandwich featuring thinly sliced marinated pork, seared to perfection, and served on a crusty Portuguese roll. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for any meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (+1 hour marination)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pork Marinade:
- 1 lb pork loin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
For the Sandwich:
- 4 Portuguese rolls (papo secos)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon spicy mustard (optional)
- 1 teaspoon piri-piri sauce (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix all marinade ingredients. Add pork slices, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
- Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Remove bay leaves and cook the pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and tender.
- Toast the Portuguese rolls lightly. Spread with butter, mustard, or piri-piri sauce if desired.
- Place the cooked pork inside the rolls and serve hot.
- Enjoy with fries, pickles, or a cold beer for an authentic Portuguese experience.
Notes
- The longer the pork marinates, the more flavorful it becomes.
- Traditional bifanas are often served with a drizzle of the pan juices for extra flavor.
- For a spicier version, increase the piri-piri sauce or red pepper flakes.
Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/authentic-portuguese-bifana/