Feijoada-Inspired Black Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

A rich and hearty bean stew inspired by Brazil’s iconic feijoada, featuring black beans simmered with smoky sausage and aromatic spices. This Brazilian-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs black beans, smoked sausage, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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

• 2 cups dried black beans
• 12 oz, sliced smoked sausage
• 1 large, diced onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups dried black beans and soak them overnight in water covering the beans by 2 inches. Drain before cooking.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly browned.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor. Add the drained black beans, 6 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp orange zest.
5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beans are tender and stew thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.