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Rotina Diária

Salads and Cold Sides

Brazilian Vinaigrette for BBQ

Make Brazilian vinaigrette with tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, parsley, vinegar, and olive oil. A classic barbecue side, with mellow, crisp onion.

  • Total time 30 min
  • Prep time 15 min
  • Rest or chill time 15 min
  • Makes Makes 6 side servings
  • Difficulty Easy

Brazilian vinaigrette is a salad of finely chopped vegetables dressed with vinegar. Its acidity cuts through the richness of meat, making it a great match for barbecue, feijoada, and savory pastries.

To mellow the raw onion, soak it in ice water for a few minutes before mixing. Chop everything into evenly sized pieces: it looks better, and every bite has a little of everything.

Ingredients

Amounts for 6 servings (Makes 6 side servings).

Equipment

  • Knife and cutting board
  • Large bowl

Instructions

  1. Step 1 Soak the onion to mellow its bite

    Dice the onion and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes. Drain well.

    • 1 onion
    • 1 cup cold water

    About 10 min

  2. Step 2 Chop the vegetables

    Cut the tomatoes in half, remove the seeds, and dice them to match the size of the onion pieces. Do the same with the bell pepper.

    • 3 firm tomatoes
    • 1/2 green bell pepper

  3. Step 3 Season

    In a bowl, mix the vegetables with the parsley, vinegar, olive oil, and salt.

    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
    • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  4. Step 4 Let it rest and serve

    Let it chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend.

    About 15 min

Tips for success

  • Use ripe but firm tomatoes so the vinaigrette doesn't get watery.
  • A splash of cold water in the dressing makes the vinaigrette juicier and less acidic.
  • Serve it with fish by swapping the parsley for cilantro.

Substitutions

White wine vinegar
Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
Green bell pepper
Red or yellow bell pepper, which are sweeter.

How to store

It’s best eaten the day it’s made. Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, it keeps for 1 day, but the tomatoes will release liquid.

Allergens

None of the major allergens are listed among the ingredients.

Packaged ingredients may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the labels of the brands you use.

Published October 13, 2026. US measurements: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL; 1 oz = 28 g.