Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean Stew
A hearty and smoky black bean stew with pork and beef, inspired by Brazil’s beloved feijoada, slow cooked for deep flavors. This brazilian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs black beans, soaked overnight, smoked pork shoulder, diced, beef chuck, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 lb black beans, soaked overnight
- 1 lb smoked pork shoulder, diced
- 1 lb beef chuck, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 6 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain 1 lb black beans soaked overnight and rinse well. Place them into a slow cooker with 6 cups water.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb diced smoked pork shoulder and 1 lb diced beef chuck to the slow cooker along with 1 chopped medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then stir all ingredients together.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until beans and meats are tender and the stew is thickened.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves before serving, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean 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 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 black beans, soaked overnight from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Feijoada-Inspired Slow Cooker Black Bean 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 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 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.
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