Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions and Bacon
A toasted cassava flour side dish cooked with sautéed onions and smoky bacon, offering a quintessential Brazilian accompaniment to any meal. This brazilian-inspired quick meals ready in about 30 minutes pairs cassava flour (farinha de mandioca), ounces bacon strips, diced, large yellow onion, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 270 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 cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
- 6 ounces bacon strips, diced
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 6 ounces diced bacon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the bacon crisps and releases flavorful fat.
- Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté for 8 minutes until the onions become golden and caramelized.
- Step 3: Gradually stir in 2 cups cassava flour, mixing constantly to evenly toast the flour in the bacon fat and butter for 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Step 4: Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, stirring to combine. Remove from heat and serve warm as a savory side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions and Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions 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 ounces bacon strips, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions 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 Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions 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 Pan-Fried Farofa with Onions 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.
