Brazilian-Style Black Bean and Beef Stew
A hearty, slow-simmered stew combining tender beef chunks with black beans and traditional Brazilian spices for a rich, comforting meal. This brazilian-inspired beef (gluten free) ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, large onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1.5 cups black beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- for serving fresh lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until deeply caramelized. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 2 bay leaves, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup diced canned tomatoes, 1.5 cups soaked and drained black beans, and 4 cups beef broth. Return the browned beef cubes to the pot, season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and beans are cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
- Step 7: Serve hot with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over each portion.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brazilian-Style Black Bean and Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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-Style Black Bean and Beef 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 large onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brazilian-Style Black Bean and Beef 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-Style Black Bean and Beef 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 Brazilian-Style Black Bean and Beef Stew gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
