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Hearty Brazilian Feijoada Black Bean Stew

Brazilian Feijoada black bean stew - featured image
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A rich and smoky Brazilian black bean stew with tender pork shoulder, smoked sausage, and traditional spices simmered to perfection. This hearty dish is perfect for family gatherings and offers authentic, soul-satisfying flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight or 4 cups cooked black beans
  • 1.5 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 12 oz smoked sausage (e.g., chorizo or linguica), sliced
  • 4 oz bacon, diced
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 orange, zest and juice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • About 6 cups water or broth
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 cups dried black beans under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with water by about 2 inches. Soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. Cut 1.5 pounds pork shoulder into 1-inch chunks. Slice 12 oz smoked sausage into rounds. Dice 4 oz bacon. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  4. Add pork chunks to the pot and brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  5. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and 2 bay leaves. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
  7. Drain soaked beans and add them to the pot. Return pork shoulder, bacon, and sausage slices to the pot.
  8. Pour in about 6 cups (1.5 liters) of water or broth, enough to cover all ingredients by about an inch. Add the zest of one orange.
  9. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer gently for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally and check liquid level, adding water if needed. Beans should be tender and meat meltingly soft.
  10. Stir in the juice of one orange, season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes to thicken the stew slightly.
  11. Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestion. Browning meat in batches ensures better flavor. Use orange zest and juice to balance richness. If stew is too thin, mash some beans against the pot’s side to thicken naturally. Slow simmering melds flavors and tenderizes meat perfectly. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste often.

Nutrition

Keywords: Feijoada, Brazilian stew, black bean stew, pork stew, smoked sausage, traditional Brazilian recipe, hearty stew, comfort food

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/hearty-brazilian-feijoada-black-bean-stew-recipe-easy-authentic-flavor-guide/