Caldinho de Feijão with Spicy Garnish
A comforting Brazilian black bean soup thickened to a smooth consistency and topped with a spicy, tangy garnish that highlights Afro-Brazilian coastal flavors. This brazilian-inspired soups ready in about 85 minutes pairs soaked overnight black beans, diced bacon, small, chopped onion 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
- 3 oz, diced bacon
- 1 small, chopped onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 5 cups water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dendê oil (palm oil)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, for garnish chopped scallions
- 2 tbsp, for garnish chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain 1 cup soaked black beans. In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and cook 3 oz diced bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 small chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Add the black beans and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour until beans are soft.
- Step 4: Using an immersion blender or regular blender, purée the soup until smooth and return to the pot.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp dendê oil, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 6: Ladle the caldinho into bowls and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped scallions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with crusty bread or as a starter.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caldinho de Feijão with Spicy Garnish 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 with Spicy Garnish?
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 with Spicy Garnish?
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 with Spicy Garnish 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 with Spicy Garnish?
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.
