Black Bean and Palm Heart Feijoada Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 95 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes until well combined and aromatic.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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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.