Starters & Snacks

Croquetes de carne

Croquettes that are creamy inside and crisp outside, made with well-seasoned meat.

RegionNational
DifficultyAverage
Total time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings24 units
Photo of Croquetes de carne — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Croquetes de carne are a familiar sight at Portuguese snack-bar counters, parties and savoury tables in Portugal.

The croquette mixture should be well seasoned and firm enough to shape, then fried until crisp without becoming greasy.

Ingredients

  • 500 g cooked or ground meat
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of flour
  • 250 ml milk or broth
  • Chopped parsley
  • Nutmeg
  • Egg and breadcrumbs
  • Oil for frying

Method

  1. Sauté onion and garlic in butter.
  2. Add finely chopped meat and seasonings.
  3. Add flour and then milk or broth little by little.
  4. Cook until a firm croquette mixture forms.
  5. Cool, shape into croquettes and bread.
  6. Fry until golden.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • The chilled mixture is easier to shape.
  • Finely chopped meat prevents crumbly croquettes.
  • Nutmeg must be discreet.

Possible replacements in Brazil

  • Leftover roast beef works well.
  • Fine panko can replace breadcrumbs.

Pairing

A light beer, a light red wine or iced tea. For people over 18 years old; drink in moderation.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from the Portuguese culinary tradition. Like any traditional recipe, it can vary depending on the region, the family and the cook.

Do you have a family Portuguese recipe?

Send it to the Empório Portugal community. The recipes received are analyzed before any publication.

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Quick facts

Prep
45 min
Cooking
25 min
Total time
1 hour 10 minutes
Yield
24 units
Difficulty
Average
Occasion
Snack, parties

Pairing

A light beer, a light red wine or iced tea. For people over 18 years old; drink in moderation.

Empório tip

The chilled mixture is easier to shape.

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