Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon
A savory Brazilian side dish featuring toasted cassava flour and crispy bacon, perfect for accompanying grilled meats or stews. This brazilian-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs chopped bacon slices, small, finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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
- 6, chopped bacon slices
- 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 6 chopped bacon slices. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered.
- Step 2: Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the bacon fat and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and let it melt. Then gradually add 2 cups cassava flour, stirring continuously for 5 minutes until the flour is toasted and golden brown with a nutty aroma.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and mix in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm as a crispy, flavorful accompaniment.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
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 chopped bacon slices from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
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 Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon 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.
What goes well with Farofa with Brazilian Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
Brazilian quick meals 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.
