Bifana (Portuguese Garlic Pork Sandwich)
In short: Thin pork slices marinated in garlic, white wine and paprika, simmered until tender and piled into a crusty roll. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 500 kcal
A bifana is the everyday pork sandwich of Portugal, eaten standing at a café counter with a glass of beer or a coffee. Thin slices of pork spend a few hours in white wine, garlic and paprika, then simmer in the marinade until tender and saucy. They are piled into a fresh, crusty roll that soaks up the juices, with mustard on the side. It is simple, cheap and filling, and it needs only a few ingredients.
Instructions
- Lay the pork slices between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to about 3 mm (1/8 in) thick. Cut them into pieces that fit your rolls.
- Mix the garlic, wine, 2 tbsp olive oil, paprika, bay leaves, salt, pepper and hot sauce in a bowl. Add the pork, turn to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Heat the frying oil in a large wide pan over medium-high heat. Lift the pork out of the marinade, keeping the marinade, and fry in batches for 1 minute per side until lightly browned.
- Return all the pork to the pan, pour in the marinade with the bay leaves and simmer over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pork is tender and the sauce is reduced to a glossy, slightly thick gravy.
- Warm the rolls in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, then split them and pile in the pork with a generous spoonful of sauce. Serve at once with mustard.
Tips
- Pound the slices thin so they cook fast and stay tender. Pork shoulder gives a richer flavor than loin if you slice it thinly.
- Choose rolls with a crisp crust and a soft center, so they hold the sauce without falling apart.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a bifana and a prego?
A bifana is pork marinated in garlic and white wine, simmered and served in a roll. A prego uses a thin beef steak cooked in garlic and served in a roll.
Can I marinate the pork overnight?
Yes, for up to 24 hours in the fridge. The garlic and wine flavor deepens, but longer than a day can make the meat soft and mushy.
What do you serve with a bifana?
A cold lager and a side of fries are the usual partners, with mustard added at the table. A simple tomato salad also goes well.
How long does it take to make Bifana (Portuguese Garlic Pork Sandwich)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bifana (Portuguese Garlic Pork Sandwich)?
About 500 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
