Caldinho de Feijão Preto (Brazilian Black Bean Soup)
A comforting Brazilian black bean soup simmered with smoky bacon and aromatic spices, perfect as a starter or light meal. This brazilian-inspired soups ready in about 85 minutes pairs black beans, soaked overnight, bacon, diced, medium onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 black beans, soaked overnight
- 4 oz bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain and rinse 1 cup of black beans soaked overnight. In a large pot, add 4 oz diced bacon and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until crispy and fat is rendered.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the bacon. Sauté for 4 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the drained black beans, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 4 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour until beans are tender.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf, then use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, leaving some beans whole for texture.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with lime wedges for squeezing over each bowl.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caldinho de Feijão Preto (Brazilian Black Bean Soup) take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 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 (Brazilian Black Bean Soup)?
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 black beans, soaked overnight from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caldinho de Feijão Preto (Brazilian Black Bean Soup)?
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 (Brazilian Black Bean Soup) 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 (Brazilian Black Bean Soup)?
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.
