Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew
A hearty and comforting Brazilian stew combining black beans with tender pork shoulder and smoky spices, slow cooked for rich flavor. This brazilian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pound dried black beans, large, chopped onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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
- 1 pound dried black beans
- 2 pounds, cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 1/2 pound, sliced smoked sausage (such as chorizo or kielbasa)
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1, zested and juiced orange
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and soak 1 pound dried black beans overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds cubed pork shoulder and 1/2 pound sliced smoked sausage, browning the meat for 5-7 minutes until golden. Transfer meat to a slow cooker.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large chopped onion and 5 minced garlic cloves for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon cumin, cooking for 2 more minutes.
- Step 4: Add the sautéed onion mixture, soaked black beans, 2 bay leaves, zest and juice of 1 orange, 6 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to the slow cooker with the meat. Stir well.
- Step 5: Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beans and pork are tender and stew is thickened. Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve over white rice with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 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 Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew?
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 pound dried black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew?
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 Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew 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 Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pork Stew?
Brazilian slow cooker 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.
