Brazilian Feijoada is Brazil’s national dish — a rich, smoky, and comforting black bean stew simmered with pork, sausage, garlic, and spices. This hearty, one-pot meal embodies the spirit of Brazilian cuisine and is perfect for family gatherings. The combination of flavors and textures creates a satisfying dish that warms the soul, making it an essential recipe to master.

Why You’ll Love This Brazilian Feijoada

This traditional Brazilian feijoada is not only delicious but also a celebration of culture and family. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love it:

• Rich and smoky flavors that bring comfort.
• A perfect blend of meats, including feijoada with pork and beef.
• Easy to make with simple ingredients.
• Great for meal prep and feeds a crowd.
• Pairs wonderfully with rice and orange slices.
• A deep-rooted dish that showcases Brazilian culture.

Ingredients for Brazilian Feijoada

Gather these items:

• 1 lb (450g) dried black beans, soaked overnight
• 1 lb (450g) pork shoulder or stew meat, cut into chunks
• ½ lb (225g) chorizo or linguica sausage, sliced
• ½ lb (225g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken broth (960ml)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Cooked white rice and orange slices, for serving

How to Make Brazilian Feijoada Step-by-Step

1. Step 1: Rinse and soak black beans overnight in cold water. Drain before cooking.
2. Step 2: In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add pork shoulder pieces and cook until lightly browned. Stir in tomato paste and smoked paprika; cook for 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in the sliced sausages, drained beans, bay leaves, and broth. Mix well.
5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 2–2½ hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and meat is soft.
6. Step 6: Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves.
7. Step 7: Spoon over fluffy rice and garnish with orange slices or sautéed greens.

Pro Tips for the Best Brazilian Feijoada

Keep these in mind:

• Serve with cooked white rice and orange slices for a refreshing contrast.
• For a vegetarian feijoada alternative, try using jackfruit or mushrooms instead of meat.
• Let the stew sit for a while after cooking; it tastes even better the next day!

Best Ways to Serve Brazilian Feijoada

When serving this classic Brazilian feijoada dish, consider these options:

• Pair with fluffy white rice to balance the rich flavors.
• Add a side of sautéed greens to enhance the meal.
• Offer orange slices to complement the stew’s depth.

How to Store and Reheat Brazilian Feijoada

To store your authentic feijoada recipe, let it cool and transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop or microwave until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brazilian Feijoada

What’s the secret to perfect Brazilian Feijoada?

The secret lies in the quality of the ingredients and the slow cooking process that allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Using a variety of meats enhances the richness, while the black beans provide a hearty base.

Can I make Brazilian Feijoada ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, making it ahead of time allows the flavors to develop even more. Just store it in the fridge and reheat before serving.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Brazilian Feijoada?

To avoid common mistakes, ensure that you soak the beans overnight and don’t rush the cooking process. The longer it simmers, the better the flavors will be!

Variations of Brazilian Feijoada You Can Try

There are many delightful variations of Brazilian feijoada across Brazil. For a lighter option, consider making a vegetarian feijoada using beans, vegetables, and spices. In some regions, you might find feijoada served with different types of sausages or regional meats, showcasing the diversity of Brazilian cuisine.

For more information on the cultural significance of feijoada, check out this BBC Good Food article.

Additionally, if you’re interested in learning about the health benefits of beans, visit this Healthline resource.

For a delicious side dish, consider making roasted carrot soup to accompany your feijoada.

Brazilian Feijoada: 5 Secrets to This Comforting Stew

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Feijoada is Brazil’s national dish — a rich, smoky, and comforting black bean stew simmered with pork, sausage, garlic, and spices. It’s a hearty, one-pot meal perfect for family gatherings.

• Author: Robert
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Brazilian
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) dried black beans, soaked overnight
• 1 lb (450g) pork shoulder or stew meat, cut into chunks
• ½ lb (225g) chorizo or linguica sausage, sliced
• ½ lb (225g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken broth (960ml)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Cooked white rice and orange slices, for serving

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Instructions

1. Rinse and soak black beans overnight in cold water. Drain before cooking.
2. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add pork shoulder pieces and cook until lightly browned. Stir in tomato paste and smoked paprika; cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the sliced sausages, drained beans, bay leaves, and broth. Mix well.
5. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 2–2½ hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and meat is soft.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves.
7. Spoon over fluffy rice and garnish with orange slices or sautéed greens.

Notes

• Serve with cooked white rice and orange slices.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 90mg