Brazilian Cuisine
Tomato, Onion, and Pepper Vinagrete
Vinagrete is an iconic Brazilian fresh salsa-like condiment that serves as an essential everyday flavor enhancer. This vibrant sauce relies on a perfect balance of juicy ripe tomatoes, pungent onions, and crunchy bell peppers, all finely and uniformly diced. A simple dressing of quality oil and vinegar infuses the vegetables, drawing out their natural juices and marrying the flavors. It instantly cuts through the richness of grilled meats, brightens rice and beans, and crowns any street food perfectly.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 15 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 65 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Cut the tomatoes in half and scoop out the watery core and se…
Cut the tomatoes in half and scoop out the watery core and seeds to prevent the sauce from becoming too wet, then finely dice the firm flesh.
- 02
Remove the stem, seeds, and interior white ribs from the bell…
Remove the stem, seeds, and interior white ribs from the bell pepper, then dice it into small pieces matching the size of the tomatoes.
- 03
Peel and finely mince the onion
Peel and finely mince the onion. If it tastes too sharp, rinse the minced onion under ice-cold water to remove the harsh bite.
- 04
Finely chop the fresh parsley leaves, discarding the tough wo…
Finely chop the fresh parsley leaves, discarding the tough woody stems to keep only the tender greens in your mix.
- 05
Combine all the chopped vegetables and parsley in a deep bowl…
Combine all the chopped vegetables and parsley in a deep bowl, tossing them gently to avoid mashing the tender tomato cubes.
- 06
Whisk the oil, vinegar, salt, and black pepper together, pour…
Whisk the oil, vinegar, salt, and black pepper together, pour over the vegetables, stir well, and refrigerate to marinate.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
To let the flavors reach their full potential, let the vinagrete rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This mellows the onion and allows the tomatoes to release their sweet juices.
How to serve
Traditionally served alongside Brazilian barbecue (churrasco), feijoada, or used as a zesty topping for pastel and tapioca wraps.
How to store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Give it a good stir before serving as the liquid tends to settle at the bottom.
Note
For the best texture, try to dice all the vegetables as finely and evenly as possible, roughly the size of small peas.
