Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Orange
Hearty Brazilian black bean stew simmered with tender beef cuts, smoky sausage, and finished with a bright orange zest for a balanced flavor. This brazilian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 185 minutes pairs ounces, sliced smoked sausage, large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, rinsed and soaked overnight dried black beans
- 1.5 pounds, cut into 2-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 8 ounces, sliced smoked sausage
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 1 medium, zest and juice separated orange
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cups water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain 2 cups soaked black beans and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds beef chuck roast cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 8 ounces sliced smoked sausage, the drained black beans, 2 whole bay leaves, and 6 cups water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5 hours until beans and beef are tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaves and stir in the zest and juice of 1 medium orange, along with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the stew thickens slightly. Serve hot with white rice or collard greens.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Orange take to make?
Total time is about 185 minutes (20 min prep + 165 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 Orange?
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, sliced smoked sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Feijoada with Black Beans and Orange?
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 Orange 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 Orange?
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.
