Pan-Fried Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon
Golden toasted cassava flour sautéed with crispy bacon, onions, and butter for a classic Brazilian side full of smoky, nutty flavors. This brazilian-inspired quick meals ready in about 25 minutes pairs cassava flour (farinha de mandioca), diced bacon, medium, finely chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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
- 2 cups cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
- 6 slices, diced bacon
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 6 slices diced bacon. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the fat is rendered.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion to the skillet with bacon fat and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 cups cassava flour. Toast the mixture, stirring constantly, for 8-10 minutes until the cassava flour turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma.
- Step 4: Season with 1 teaspoon salt and fold in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Remove from heat and serve warm as a crunchy, flavorful side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Toasted Cassava Flour 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 diced bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour 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 Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon 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 Pan-Fried Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour 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.
