Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro
A comforting Brazilian black bean soup blended smooth and enriched with crispy bacon and fresh cilantro, perfect as an appetizer or light meal. This brazilian-inspired soups ready in about 80 minutes pairs soaked overnight black beans, water, chopped bacon strips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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, soaked overnight black beans
- 4 cups water
- 4, chopped bacon strips
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- to taste salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain 1 cup soaked black beans and combine with 4 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour until beans are very soft.
- Step 2: While beans cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook 4 chopped bacon strips until crisp, about 6 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving fat in the skillet.
- Step 3: Add 1 small diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 4: Transfer the cooked beans with their cooking liquid to a blender, add the sautéed onion and garlic, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, salt to taste, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Return the blended soup to the pot, heat gently over low heat, and stir in half of the crispy bacon.
- Step 6: Serve hot garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and the remaining bacon on top, accompanied by lime wedges to squeeze over the soup for brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (10 min prep + 70 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 Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro?
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 soaked overnight black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro?
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 Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro 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.
What goes well with Caldinho de Feijão Preto with Bacon and Cilantro?
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.
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