Portuguese Rice Custard Recipe (2024)

Making a traditional Portuguese Rice Custard Recipe from my Portuguese mother's recipe box. Arroz Doce as we say in Portugal, is a family tradition for every holiday season.

While my mom was here she decided to make my favorite Portuguese dessert. Which is never a disappointment and brings back many childhood memories. You see it is a very common dessert to bring to people's homes and celebrate any special occasion.

I love the creamy taste of the Rice Custard and when visiting Portugal, you will commonly see it on the menu or pick it up ready to go from the grocery store. Another thing that this dessert has is a little cinnamon on top.

I am not a fan of cinnamon so I left it out. It is very easy to make and I usually have all the ingredients at home so if I ever have to just whip it up for a craving or a get-together, I’m always prepared to make this Portuguese Rice Custard Recipe.

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List of Ingredients

These are the brands that I prefer in my cooking, in my list on Amazon to check out.

• Rice, Dynasty Jasmine Rice 2 lbs Bag
• Salt, Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt
• Lemon, fresh peelthe size of your thumb
• Water, use Spring water or a filter, the tap will affect the taste
• 3cupsmilk, Whole Milk
• 1tspvanilla, Madagascar Vanilla Beans
• ⅔cupsugar, Florida Crystals Organic Cane Sugar
• 2egg yolks

Step by Step - Portuguese Rice Custard Recipe

I always pick my bowls in advance and set them on the table so when I'm done with everything I just pour them right into the bowls or into a glass pie dish.

1. Add the water, salt, a wedge of lemon, a stick of cinnamon, and rice into a pot to start cooking the rice slowly for about 15 minutes.
2. Add the milk slowly as the rice cooks and stir.

3. Once the rice starts to cook add the sugar and mix, in a separate bowl mix the egg yolk, vanilla, and milk and stir.
4. Turn your heat down and add the mixture to the rice in the pot while mixing steadily and fast so as not to cook the egg yolk and have a custard base.
5. Pour the rice into a pie dish or bowl and let the rice cool. About 4 hours.
6. Top with fruit or cinnamon.

Variations

You can always add a little anise to the rice once it's done cooking with raisins for a little extra in the Portuguese Rice Custard Recipe. Also, a little sprinkle of cinnamon is traditional before serving.

Ways to Serve

I like to serve it with fresh fruit on the side such as mangos, strawberries or even green grapes. I tend to spoon it into a bowl and serve it with fruit on top.

Tip

When cooking the rice, I tend to watch it cook so not to overcook it. I also rinse my rice under cold water, it helps it to cook it better and holds the shape of the grain,

MORE RECIPES from Portugal

• Mom's Paella
• Christmas Popovers
• Portuguese Cod Fish Salad

TRAVEL GUIDE to Portugal

• Lisbon Portugal
• Cascais Portugal
• Sintra Portugal
• Where Locals Eat in Lisbon Portugal

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