The word Sorpotel is derived from the konkani word Soro which means Alcohol/Liquor. Sorpotel is a Goan Delicacy that is not only known in the Goan community but to everyone who has visited Goa. I personally prefer eating Sorpotel for breakfast along with my bread and fried eggs.
When I was much younger I remember having break fast at Souza Lobo’s it used to be fried eggs, sausages, sorpotel and cold coffee that did the trick for me, now that breakfast would be ridiculously expensive at Souza’s, I like Infantaria better, but nothing like making your own Sorpotel! After visiting this post I don’t visit either of these places but have a few local gaddos that make Bhaji Pau 🙂
Sorpotel Recipe
Main Ingredients:
1 Kg Pork and ¼ Kg Beef or Mutton Liver
Sorpotel Masala:
Grind 20 Kashmiri Chillies, 6 Clove, a 2” piece of Cinnamon in vinegar along with 
8 flakes of Garlics, a 1” piece of Ginger, 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds, 8 Pepper Corns, 1 and a 1/2” Turmeric Piece, a small ball of Tamarind and a Teaspoon of Sugar.
Procedure:
Par boil the meat and cut in cubes, fry fat and in the same fat fry meat bits, liver, 3 big onions, little cut garlic and ginger. Wash the pan with a little warm water and use this as well as the stock from boiling the meat to form your gravy. If you need more gravy you can add a cup of water.
Mix the masala with the meat and give it a boil at this time you can add three slit green chilies to just get the flavor right. 
Taste the Sorpotel if you want it sour add some more vinegar remember not put to much, if you feel the dish lacks salt you can add some here. 
Your Sorpotel is ready, isn’t it jus mouth watering, enjoy your meal!
why would you add more vinegar if it is sour????
thanks…Goan chef in Melbourne.
Great job Clyde… stay above the negative comments ..unfortunate for those who see the glass half empty than seeing it half full. Delectable yr sorpotel recipe …keep them coming …
Thank you for starting this site Clyde
👍
Melboure chef…..it is clearly said if YOU want more sour add vinegar.
If u want…….
He did.not say add more vinegar if it is sour.
Understand the English phrase.
Its not mentioned that you need to add more vinegar if its sour!!! That would really be a mess to be honest 🙂 Nice to know your from Melbourne, perhaps next time you would be kind enough to let us have your name!!!! 😀
Peace and Love,
Clyde
Thanks for the mouth watering recipe. May be the vinegar part is a typographical error, its a matter of understanding.
Carmelina
Im not sure I get the vinegar part once again….wheres the error??
Clyde…read the last two steps of the recipe —
"Taste the Sorpotel if its sour add some more vinegar remember not put to much, if you feel the dish lacks salt you can add some here. "
What part dont u get? The recipe suggests the cook should add more vinegar if it is sour…??
Ouchhhhh……… im so sorry guys I meant add some more vinegar if you like it more sour…..whoops
Neither the name Sorpotel derived from the Konkani word Soro nor it's a Goan dish. The original name of this dish is "Sarapatel" which is Brazilian dish. Basically this dish originated from the slaves,who could nor afford meat.They cooked waste meat, mainly pig's intestine.
I was just about to post the same explanation. This dish is Brazilian in origin! Created by slaves, the Portuguese spread it to their other colonies.
Thanks for the explanation of the Sorpotel 🙂 it really means a lot that you took the time to post that comment!
Clyde… I fully understand the recipe and appreciate the great instructions… reminds me Of my grandmother in San Diego, she has long since past, but her cooking stays with me. I'm in Chicago, and I thought you might like to know. I wonder if you know what a vorah is, and if so, do you have a recipe? I resembled a puri, but richer. A most amazing bite with soroptel. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Jessica in Chicago, IL
Ok Let's forget about the linguistic issues in the recipe and focus on how it feels to the tongue! I am making it right now using 4lbs of pork. Merry Christmas to all.
Try adding some cashew fenny to heigthen the taste and aroma. My sons and my entire family on both sides will vouch for my authentic Goan Sorpotel.
SIENA PL SHARE YOUR RECIPE joannetteremedios@yahoo.co.in
Made this for Christmas.. it was delicious and the recipe was easy to follow. Thanks Clyde, and please pass the compliments on to the Chef. [Dare I ask for more recipes: meatrolls in gravy, cutlets..]
I second what Mr/Ms anonymous on November 20, 2009 7:57 AM said about the origin of the dish. My best friend is from Brazil, and she says it as "sarapatel". And the slaves invented the dish from thrown away meat parts, e.g. feet, ears, tails etc because the best parts were eaten by the big bosses. The same history applies to how Feijoada was created. Besides, it is interesting that the East Indian version of sorpotel is so different..and just as tasty if I may say so.
Sienna Pereira mentioned – add Cashew Fenny for heightening the taste and aroma….never make this mistake. If you are to add any fenny, add Coconut Fenny – Never cashew…. you will have your house stinking of cashewfeni everytime u warm up the dish….The Coconut fenny adds a nice flavour to the dish. Remember, the Sorpotel or Sarapatel as it is originally known as, should be made atleast 3 -4 days in advance and warmed twice a day to build in the flavours of the masala. The longer you keep it, the better it tastes… Valentine
I’ve made sorpotel with the addition of both coconut and Caju feni . coconut feni is used traditionally and gives a better flavour but I must say that caju feni does the job too and there is absolutely no aroma of the caju feni when it’s cooked. Besides the two fenis , you can add rum, tecila, vodka but not Gin as it imparts a flavour that clashes with the spices.
Thanks for having such a lovely site. I have been trying to get authentic goan recipes and was lucky to come across this one. I tried the milkcream and it came out excellent. Do you have the recipe for roast tongue and beef jeera meera. thanks
I refer to comments made by the Anonymous person – instead of providing negative feedback, provide constructive feedback. Clyde you have done a wonderful job with this website, the recipies are the most authentic Goan recipie's I have read online and this has definitely been bookmarked in 'my favorites'. Your passion for Goan cusine is evident. Thanks for sharing this with other passionate Goans.
Vow ! I loved the sorpatel, and must compliment you guys ! for your the real home-made flavour am sure these recipes are passed down thru your generations ! whatever it is lovely times ahead Cheers !
I LOVE THIS SITE …….Genny ( Dxb)
I fully echo Babul's comments. Why does one have to voice negative comments – there is enough negativity going around.
Clyde, I just happened to see this website and am thrilled to bits and yes, it is saved on my favourites. So thank you and God bless you.
🙂
Thank you everyone for the support! 🙂 All the negative feedback is appreciated too, all the insults well, your only adding to the hate in the world.
Love is all we need 🙂 🙂 oh and good food tooo!
Hi,
I tried the Shark Amotik. It was delicious. I will be trying more receipes soon. I am looking for this receipe a kind of desert they make on Aug 15 on saffron leaves. Patolis or something. Hope you can post this for us.
Thank you.
Clyde – Just want to say I love all your recipes. Brenda
Hi, Great to have one example of sorpotel recipe. I wonder whether one can enlighten us on the changes in taste that might arise with other similar recipes for the same dish.
Damian
I have appreciated the intricate details of the recipe here, and hope to make it – but I LOVED Clyde even more. His heart is so good!
Hi Clyde,
Thankyou for the August 15 desert Pathaloe. This was very fast. The only thing now is to find turmeric leaves. Can we use something else instead.
Thank you
@ anonymous
no option atleast we do not here only made with turmeric leaves you get it at vegetables shops at this time of the year, you can also grow it in your garden they come up every here at this time
@ bonita 🙂
thank you, a lot of love to you and your family as well, you made my day!
The goanese Sorpotel is something that the Portuguese brought with them as they did with Vindalho and other dishes. It is not the food of slaves and it is still today made in Portugal. It can be found in Brazil for the same reason.
@ J P Diniz
thanks for the comment, can we have some more details of the portugese sorpotel what is it called and any details of the history?
It would be lovely to have some more insight into the dish!
Friends, didnt find any typo around vinegar thing – read again "Taste the Sorpotel if you want it sour add some more vinegar remember not put to much, if you feel the dish lacks salt you can add some here."
Its really interesting dish…
:-/ just that I am scared of Pork and I dont eat Beef,experts, how about trying Lamb meat… pl advice
(I assure I wont call it Sorpotel)
Hi "Anonymous@NOVEMBER 27, 2009 8:46 PM" from Chicago, I believe what you are looking for are "vodde". If I am not mistaken, you pretty much knead the same dough as you would for "bakri", roll it into flats, cuts circles and deep fry them in oil. Very tasty!
Awesome Recipe!!! Prepared 4kgs of pork, and came out so good, even tho i didnt put in any ginger (cause i did'nt have the ingredient!) EASY GO RECIPE WITHOUT ANY FUSS!!! WILL DEFINITELY RECOMMEND TO OTHERS TO TRY IT!
LYN
Clyde,
Your sorpotel recipe is fabulous!! I'm a Mangalorean who prefers the Goan version of this dish to the Mangi one :).
I cooked it last night and was quite pleased, so much so that I called up my mum to gloat about my cooking feat..LOL.
I did follow most of your instructions, however I added some more red chillis and pepper corns to the masala while grinding coz I felt it wasn't spiced enough (could be the chillis I have at home).
Anyway, thanks for putting this recipe up. I feel I'm entitled to some bragging rights in the kitchen now. 🙂
would like to know about "sol kadi" receipe.all recepies really very good.lot of thanks to you.
Hi Clyde,
I am from Melbourne and was wondering what cut of Pork I should be using? also does anyone know if we get Coconut Feny or Goan Toddy Vinegar in Melboure???
Thanks for the recipe, going to try it this weekend…
Karen
Hi Clyde,
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful recipes with us.
Its such a great help for starters like me, to follow graphic explanations of homemade delicacies.
My Goan boyfriend was quite amazed when i cooked some of your dishes 🙂
Michelle from Dubai!
Haters are just jealous!
Thanx Clyde for your marvellous recipes..i hav tried some of them..and they turned out delicious…my hubby for the first time congratulated me for my cooking n also ate more than before.My Hubby n myself live in Dubai.Now dat im going back to India i can try them out for my in-laws too..who will say "Our Daughter-in-law is a good cook…"Thanx alot…God Bless You
Hi,
I would like to know if one can use chicken gizzards whilst cookin sarpotel
To Folks who miss Goan Coconut Toddy Vinegar!
In the USA, I have found Filipino Palm Vinegar in MANY Oriental Grocery shops, especially those catering to South East Asians. Cannot say if it will substitute for Goan Vinegar, but may be worth a try! It is also made from fermented Coconut Neera, which can become strong Toddy depending how it is treated.
BTW, to those of you commenting on Mangalorean or East Indian Sorpotel, why don't you also provide a link to recipes for these? It is always very nice to learn more about India through the most intimate part of human existence, the HOME cooking of her various communities. Thanks.
Look at how much care, effort & love Clyde, his family and his honored Mother have taken to bring their home cooking traditions to the whole wide world. Amazing.
In my own lifetime, more than 80% of the dishes, customs, skills etc. associated with the food preparation of my particular community in West Bengal have become extinct. People have lost their rural roots, the space to prepare food, and time. Plus the mosaic of woodland, field, forest and water that provided a mix of the wild and the cultivated, within easy reach is now forever lost.
So the work that is being preserved in sites like these cannot be fully valued at present!!!!
God Bless.
Gautam.
Hi Clyde..
Love the recipes, just noted a few down.. Guess what i'm in Goa and have my great family to provide me with the recipes… but since i'm getting married soon, tot i'd do some research of my own and thank God i found this site(hmmm.. need to impress my hubby to be.. I will be visiting all my aunts to collect some precious goan recipes, and from my mum too..
And now i know where to get the best Goan recipes from.. Thanks Clyde!!
Rochelle
Trying to be as authentic but looking to:
(1) cutting back on high fat content.
(2) An alternative vinegar that has come close to the recipe and available in Toronto Canada is needed.
Any suggestions?
Wowie…. this look awesome… am gonna try this… fingers crossed… First time attempting sorpotel… 🙂 thanx for the recipe
Thanks Clyde, looks good. I like how you've simplified this. Now I can surprise my mother at Thanksgiving and make some for the family.
almost made me cry when I found this site!!! :'( my 2nd X'mas away from home and I miss all the familiar smells of mama and avo's kitchen! But thank you for this, will try and get some dishes going! xoxo
Sam
hey, the sarapatel "Sara Patel??" expert is all wrong. there is a difference between pork meat and tripe. In Goa they make something called booch from tripe.
It's great to find an uncomplicated sorpotel recipe like this one. My Granny in Mapusa used to make it with her own ground spices and make Rice Sannas to soak the gravy with. Thanks for the easy to follow recipe.
Can you please come and make sorpotel and roast pork chilly for me>>>>Kevin from Dubai
I will give you a free ticket and visa
love, love, LOVE the site! Thanks Clyde! Keep 'em comin'!!
Also love all the comments from everyone. Minus the "Chef" from Melbourne though. This ain't your kitchen buddy!
Karen from Melbourne, try the Filipino grocery stores. They sell coconut vinegar (that I luckily happened to find in an Indian store here) and palm vinegar too! I tried the coconut one and it's the exact same as our Goan toddy! Was over the moon when I found it! So give that a go. Hope that's helpful. I also read somewhere (but haven't tried it myself) that Apple vinegar comes close (?).
Good luck with the site Clyde. Just keep them coming! You're making a lot of Goans around the world really happy!! 🙂
Anita, Brisbane, Australia
Its not mentioned how much vinegar to put ..Im new to cooking plz assist..
Rachael
Kuwait
Hi Clyde,
Called my mum over for lunch and prepared your sorpotel recipe. It turned out exactly like she makes it. She enjoyed it too. Pork liver can be used in this recipe. But the meat and liver has to be boiled separately. The Meat stock has to be used and pork liver stock should be discarded. Thank you for the recipes and keep up the good work. Do you have the goan mandos recipe. If not, i can ask my mum to share it with you.
Mary
Hi, my name is Gordon, and I am curious to know if pig blood is used in making sorpotel. If so how and when is it used in the method when cooking this dish.
Hey Clyde,
As a Goan living away from home, it seems like your recipies provide a way to reconnect with my Goan roots. Thank you so much. i had always thought of Goan authentic recipes to be very complicated but the chef has made them very easy to make. I thank her for this.
I enjoy trying out these recipes and am glad I came across this blog. Thanks Clyde and your Mum for all the effort put in.
Melissa
i have some goa sausages from my trip to Goa in 2005… would like to know if this is still good and safe to use in your sorpotel receipe above. The sausages have already been in the freezer since. Please advise as would like to try your receipe above
@ Thank you everyone.
Vinegar is according to taste.
Goa Sausages can be added, you can also make the mixed meat stew with the goa sausages if you like.
Excellent site.
For the vinegar I would suggest 2 tablespoons per Kg. initially and add more if needed. Any palm vinegar will work and if not available cider vinegar or white wine vinegar will substitute. If your vinegar is a strong concentrate then reduce the initial quantity.
The traditional Goan recipe used the pigs head as it has a good mix of cartilage and flesh. As with all pork wash the meat before cutting and the skin should be singed to remove the hair (a kitchen blow torch comes in handy in a modern kitchen). The pork/liver ratio is 4:1 or 4:2 if you really like a thick gravy. Pigs blood (black pudding) can be added (with liver) but is not part of the original recipe.
I buy my Goan Coconut Toddy Vinegar from Bombay Grocers in Mississauga. They also stock a wide variety of Goan masalas and spices as well as red rice. Hope this helps.
Sabrina, Oakville
I read the last part. The cook said….Taste the sorpotel, If you WANT it Sour add some more vinegar…….It depends on each ones taste some like a bit more sour,,some like a bit more chilly…Thankx Clyde.
Evan Q8.
I am Diana can u pl send me your sorpotel receipe if u dont mind. Thanks and God Bless
My email dianjoe@hotmail.com
LOL… you have Goa sausages from 2005??? You remind me of my friend back in the day, who always got his stock from Goa every time he went there and then rationed it out to some of us here in Qatar… Peace Out! 😉
Clyde D'Souza
Have been making Sorpotel and sunnas for years here in the US. Most of the ingredients for the sorpotel can be got at any good chinese or vietnamese markets in major US cities. In India when you make sorpotel you have to be the major "buyer" of the pig so you have to use the Liver, lungs, ears, snout, and the meat. I also remember putting coagulated blood in the sorpotel. However all that is not necessary. The liver does pass on a very unique taste to the sorpotel which you will not get if you skip the liver. However all of this depends on your pallet and how fondly you remember the taste of sorpotel when you had it as a child. The spice recipe provided here is about right, but here is where I will add information for those who cannot get some of the spice ingredients. Kashmiri chillies are sometimes hard to come by. Instead use Bagdha chillies. They look like normal chillies but their skin has wrinkles on it. You will also notice that when you grind the masala the color of the masala turns red with these chiilies. Instead of goan vinegar use Malt vinegar or Apple cider vinegar, both of which are readily available in the US. For the meat section use the fresh belly portion or bacon of the pig. Fresh bacon is available in most chinese or vietnamese markets here in the US. After par boiling and cutting the meat, fry the meat. Since you are using bacon you will not need to add any oil for the frying. In fact the idea of frying is to get rid of some of the excessive fat. Some might argue that you are wasting good tasting fat and all I can say is depends on how old you are and how regularly you exercise to get rid of you own excessive fat. Ask any cook, fat is where the taste is. Finally when you are done with the sorpotel, add shindap to the sorpotel. Shindap consists of finely cut onion, ginger, green chillies and garlic. This adds freshness to the sorpotel. Cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes and then sever with sunnas. Bon appetite!
Tried this recipe for Christmas using apple cider vinegar as suggested by Anita and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe
Cheers
Ann
The problem with this recipe is that it fails to mention that you need to boil-cool-refrigerate,boil-cool-refrigerate at least 3,4 times for a few days so it becomes great before eating it.
Thanks Clyde… I remember having Sorpotel fr the first time at a street shop next to St. Anthony's Chapel, Calangute named "Mama's Cuisine" nd it was awesome… its of the year 2011… also had cafreal, beef cutlet wid dat bread… Ohhh God… i so want to re-live those dayzzz… I'l be trying ur recipe 🙂 🙂
Hey Trina. Here.loved it as I made if for Christmas that's tomorrow 24/12/2013.thanks Clyde.be blessed
I am going to try your recipe (popotel) and see how I go.
how do you have so many spare popos?
Clyde you are doing a great job am too lazy to create a profile but will do so soon viva goa !!! Long live this rich receipe and goan tradition !!! SM Chattanooga TN
Hi. Thanks Clyde for this wonderful blog… its so helpful
Thanks again. Mollyn
My granma always put pigs blood in her sorpotel. Till today my mum, aunts and rest of the family follow this tradition.
Toooo goooood Man!!!
Hi Clyde. Thanks for the great Goan recipes! Was just wondering when you mention 1kg of meat, and from the pictures you use meat from ribs, does the 1kg include the bone or just the meat excluding bones? Also do you parboil the liver too, or just fry? Looking forward to giving this famed dish a try!
Clyde, please don't stop posting. This site is absolutely amazing. God Bless you and your family ( Bhavika and baby). Thank you for sharing your family and your moms recipes with us. Its rare to find someone so selfless. Thanks again !
Neil
I am a huge fan of your recipes! 🙂 tried most of them and loved them all
Tried making sorpotel for the first time with this recipe and boy did it turn out good!!! its awsome man! im totally lovin it! 🙂 Thank you for sharing it with us Clyde
Clyde,
you have the chillies in a pot on the stove…do you roast the masala before grinding? Sorry I must have missed that part. Please clarify.
Thanks.
Lea
sorry meant roast the spices!!
Ever since I discovered your web site I have been trying out the recipes depending on my needs. Delighted to say that they all turn out deliciously great.
Sorpotel was no exception. This is the BEST Sorpotel I have ever prepared. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
You are doing yeoman service to Goan cuisine.
If possible can you share your recipe for SOLANTULEN – a popular curry of Salcette – with me. I am from Bardez and have no clue where from I can obtain this recipe.
Thanks.
Ever since I discovered your web site I have been trying out the recipes depending on my needs. Delighted to say that they all turn out deliciously great.
Sorpotel was no exception. This is the BEST Sorpotel I have ever prepared. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
You are doing yeoman service to Goan cuisine.
If possible can you share your recipe for SOLANTULEN – a popular curry of Salcette – with me. I am from Bardez and have no clue where from I can obtain this recipe.
Thanks.
Can this be made with goat meat?
Dear Clyde
Great Sorpatel Recipe. Will be cooking it up for Christmas in Hng Kong.
The recipe sounds like the easiest way to make sorpotel ….It’s awesome that some of us, like Clyde are making efforts to remind people about food and celebrating life.
But I wonder why so many people do not want to be happy about somebody’s enthusiasm and try to pretend that they know more. I mean please, live and let live, nobody is questioning you people about your wikipidea or google skills !!!
Clyde, you keep up the good work. I don’t know you, but I like the vibe
AWESOME SITE….
will try vindalo and sorpotel with wild boar. will come back to you. regards and thanks
Hi Clyde,
This is such an amazing blog. Keeping the family/Goan traditions alive! Sianne gave me the blog and I am hooked! I am working my way through every recipe. It brings me back to my nana’s, Augusta Mascarehas, cooking.
Please keep it going! I would love to see potatoe chops on here 🙂
Celia
Hi Clyde
Do you have the recipe for pork booch?
Hi
The recipes here are absolutely delicious and authentic. Thanks for sharing! ?
I am totally brand new at this. I was wondering what part of the pork meat you recommend? Also is the liver parboiled too before frying?
Thanks
AWESOME SITE. LOVE THE SIMPLE RECIPES AND POINT TO POINT WAY OF THE METHODS DESCRIBED FOR EVERY RECIPE. Great!!!
I was told for vegetarians that Tofu washed and thoroughly pressed and dried can be substituted. All the rest remains the same.
I’m gonna try making some….
Thanks for the recipe. I was just wondering something. I know that people store sorpotel in the freezer for a long time.. For how long would you say it could be stored in the freezer?