Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, hearty Brazilian black bean stew simmered with tender beef chunks and infused with fresh orange zest and garlic for a soulful comfort dish. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 165 minutes pairs dried black beans, orange zest, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans under cold water and soak them in 3 cups of water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until a rich crust forms; transfer the beef to a plate.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Drain the soaked black beans and add them back to the pot along with the browned beef, 1 tbsp orange zest, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 6 cups water. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the beans have softened and thickened the stew.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper; remove the bay leaves.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve hot with white rice or crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus take to make?

Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus?

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 dried black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Citrus?

Brazilian beef 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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