Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew
A vegetarian take on Brazil’s iconic feijoada, this hearty black bean stew features tender hearts of palm and smoky spices for a comforting, protein-rich meal. This brazilian-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 105 minutes pairs dried, soaked overnight black beans, sliced hearts of palm, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried, soaked overnight black beans
- 1 cup, sliced hearts of palm
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain and rinse 2 cups dried black beans soaked overnight. In a large pot, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and sauté 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes until well combined and aromatic.
- Step 3: Add the soaked black beans, 4 cups vegetable broth, 2 bay leaves, and 1 cup sliced hearts of palm to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours until beans are tender and stew thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove bay leaves. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with white rice or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (10 min prep + 95 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sliced hearts of palm from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.