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Portuguese bifana sandwiches filled with thin pork cutlets and garlicky paprika sauce.

Portuguese Bifana Sandwiches

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Thin Portuguese pork cutlets in a garlicky white-wine paprika sauce, served in crusty rolls.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating 2 hours
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Portuguese
Calories: 530
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

Pork and Marinade
  • 1 1/2 lb boneless pork loin cut across the grain into very thin cutlets
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 5 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/4 tsp piri-piri flakes or cayenne
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
Cook and Serve
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lard or additional olive oil
  • 4 whole Portuguese papo seco rolls or crusty sandwich rolls split
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard for serving

Equipment

  • Shallow nonreactive dish
  • Large stainless-steel skillet
  • Tongs
  • Chef's knife
  • Small bowl

Method
 

Marinate:
  1. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Combine it with the garlic, paprika, piri-piri, bay leaves, wine, and vinegar. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 12 hours.
  2. Remove the pork from the marinade and pat it lightly dry, reserving the marinade.
Cook:
  1. Heat the olive oil and lard in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork in batches for about 1 minute per side and transfer it to a plate.
  2. Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and boil for 3 minutes. Lower the heat, return the pork, and simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and tender.
Assemble:
  1. Dip the cut sides of the rolls briefly into the pan sauce, then fill each roll generously with pork.
  2. Spoon over a little extra sauce and serve hot with mustard and piri-piri sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 44gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 920mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

  • Do not simmer thin pork for too long or it will tighten.
  • Papo seco rolls are traditional, but any crisp, light sandwich roll works well.