Rio-Style Black Bean Stew with Smoked Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A hearty black bean stew simmered with smoked sausage and aromatic vegetables, inspired by the vibrant flavors of Rio de Janeiro. This Brazilian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs dried black beans, smoked sausage, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
• 8 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds smoked sausage
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• for serving lime wedges

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak them in cold water for at least 4 hours or overnight; drain before cooking.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp cumin powder, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the drained black beans, 8 oz sliced smoked sausage, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender and stew has thickened, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Remove bay leaf, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Step 7: Serve hot with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over each bowl.