Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean Stew
A rich and hearty bean stew inspired by Brazil’s iconic feijoada, featuring black beans simmered with smoky sausage and aromatic spices. This brazilian-inspired soups ready in about 135 minutes pairs dried black beans, sliced smoked sausage, 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 black beans
- 12 oz, sliced smoked sausage
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 6 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 2 cups dried black beans and soak them overnight in water covering the beans by 2 inches. Drain before cooking.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor. Add the drained black beans, 6 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp orange zest.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beans are tender and stew thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean 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 dried black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean 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 Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean 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.
What goes well with Brazilian Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean Stew?
Brazilian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
