Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage
A hearty Brazilian-style black bean stew simmered with smoked sausage and aromatic spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This brazilian-inspired soups ready in about 135 minutes pairs dried black beans, water, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 dried black beans
- 4 cups water
- 8 oz, sliced smoked sausage (chorizo or kielbasa)
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in cold water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook for 4 minutes until lightly browned.
- Step 4: Stir in the soaked beans, 4 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp orange zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beans are tender and stew thickens.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with rice or crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage?
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 dried black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage?
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 Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage 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 Feijoada-inspired Black Bean Stew with Sausage?
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.
