Low Carb Francesinha
Indulge in a guilt-free version of Portugal’s iconic comfort food with this Low Carb Francesinha recipe, a flavorful twist on the traditional sandwich. Perfectly layered with tender beef steak, smoky chorizo, juicy chicken breast, and savory ham, all topped with melted cheese and a rich, spiced tomato-cream sauce, it delivers the same decadent taste without the carb-heavy bread. This low-carb delight is easy to make, with each layer thoughtfully constructed and baked to bubbly perfection. Crowned with a fried egg, it’s hearty, satisfying, and impressively keto-friendly. Whether you’re craving a comforting meal or looking for a lighter take on Portuguese classics, this gluten-free, protein-packed Francesinha is a must-try.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- 100 grams cooked chorizo sausage
- 200 grams beef steak
- 150 grams sliced ham
- 150 grams sliced chicken breast
- 4 slices sliced cheese
- 100 milliliters heavy cream
- 100 grams tomato paste
- 100 milliliters beer
- 200 milliliters chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
Instructions
Begin by finely chopping the garlic and onion. Slice the chorizo into thin rounds.
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and onion, and sauté until translucent.
Add the tomato paste, beer, chicken stock, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Stir well and let simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the beef steak with salt and pepper. Cook the steak to desired doneness in the skillet, then set aside.
In the same skillet, lightly brown the slices of ham, chicken breast, and chorizo. Remove from heat and set aside.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed and turn off the heat.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Assemble the Francesinha on an ovenproof plate: first a layer of cooked chicken breast, then a layer of ham, followed by a layer of chorizo, topped with the steak, and finished with slices of cheese.
Cover the top of the assembled dish with the sauce, ensuring the cheese is well-coated.
Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Meanwhile, fry the egg to your liking (sunny-side-up works best).
Remove Francesinha from the oven, top with the fried egg, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1282 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 88.0 g | 113% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.4 g | 182% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 392 mg | 131% | |
| Sodium | 3026 mg | 132% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.7 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.4 g | ||
| Protein | 89.5 g | 179% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 522 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 1332 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
