Bochechas de Porco 🐷

Bochechas de Porco 🐷 (Pork cheeks), considered one of the noblest parts of the pig and an Alentejo heirloom. They offer a delightful meat known for its tender and juicy texture.

The bochechas is a cut of pork or beef from the muscles of the face. It corresponds to the fatty parts found on both sides of the face. It is a very tender and gelatinous meat, ideal for making sauces.


Ingredientes – 8 Pessoas | Ingredients – 8 People

  • 6 Bochechas de Porco (6 pork cheeks)
  • 2 Cenouras Médias (2 medium-sized carrots)
  • 1 Cebola Média (1 medium-sized onion)
  • 2 Dentes de Alho (2 garlic cloves)
  • 3 Colheres de Sopa de Polpa de Tomate (3 TBsp of tomato pulp/puree)
  • 1 Folha de Louro (1 bayleaf)
  • Vinho Branco q.b (white wine to taste)
  • Sal q.b. (salt to taste)
  • Pimenta q.b. (pepper to taste)
  • Azeite q.b (olive oil to taste)

Preparação | Preparation

1 – Comece por temperar a carne com sal e pimenta e reserve. (Start by seasoning the meat with salt and pepper and set aside.)

2 – Leve a cebola e os alhos picados com um fio de azeite e deixe alourar. (Sauté the chopped onion and garlic in a drizzle of olive oil and let them brown.)

3 – Corte a cenoura em cubos e adicione ao tacho mais a folha de louro e deixe cozinhar um pouco. De seguida adicione a polpa de tomate e deixe refogar. (Dice the carrot and add to the pan adding the bay leaf and cook for a while. Then add the tomato pulp and let it sauté.)

4 – Incorpore a carne até ganhar côr. (Add the meat until it turns colour.)

5 – Vaporize com o vinho branco e adicione água deixando cozinhar por 1 hora até a carne ficar tenra e o molho apurado. (Spray with white wine and add water and simmer for 1 hour until the meat is tender and the sauce is refined. )

6 – Sirva com batata cozida. (Serve with boiled potatoes.)

Pork cuts in Portugal.

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