Porto's legendary sandwich layered with cured meats, steak, and melted cheese, drenched in spicy beer-tomato sauce.
The Francesinha is Porto's proudest culinary invention — a towering sandwich inspired by the French croque-monsieur but taken to indulgent extremes. Layers of ham, linguica, fresh steak, and sausage are sandwiched between thick bread, blanketed in melted cheese, and drowned in a rich tomato-beer sauce. Served with french fries to soak up the sauce, it is the ultimate comfort food of northern Portugal.
Serves 2
Season and sear the beef steak in a hot pan for 1-2 minutes per side. Set aside.
Melt butter, stir in flour, then add beer, tomato paste, bouillon cube, and piri piri. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
Layer ham, linguica, steak, and sausage between bread slices. Place in an oven-safe dish.
Cover sandwiches completely with cheese slices. Bake at 200C for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Pour hot sauce generously over the sandwiches. Serve immediately with french fries on the side.
The sauce is the soul of the dish — don't rush the simmer.
Use a mix of meats for the most authentic flavor.
Add a fried egg on top for a Francesinha Especial.
Best eaten immediately. Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Per serving (450g / 15.9 oz) · 2 servings total
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