Brazilian-Style Black Bean Stew with Collard Greens
A hearty and comforting black bean stew simmered with smoky spices and tender collard greens, reflecting the rich Afro-Brazilian culinary heritage. This brazilian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 100 minutes pairs dried black beans, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 cup dried black beans
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups chopped fresh collard greens
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1, cut into wedges lime
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse before cooking.
- Step 2: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the soaked black beans, 4 cups water, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beans are soft.
- Step 4: Stir in 4 cups chopped fresh collard greens, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until greens are tender and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf and serve hot with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the stew for bright acidity.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brazilian-Style Black Bean Stew with Collard Greens take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (10 min prep + 90 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 Stew with Collard Greens?
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-Style Black Bean Stew with Collard Greens?
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 Stew with Collard Greens for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Stew with Collard Greens 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.
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