Slow-Cooked Beef with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa
Tender slow-cooked beef braised with aromatic spices and served alongside traditional Brazilian black beans and toasted cassava flour farofa. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup dried black beans
- 4 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup cassava flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water for 4 hours. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 2-inch chunks, searing for 4 minutes per side until browned. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Return beef to the pot and add soaked black beans, 4 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5 hours until beef and beans are tender.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add 1 cup cassava flour and toast for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until golden and nutty, creating farofa. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 6: Serve the beef and beans hot with a generous side of farofa sprinkled on top for texture contrast.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (30 min prep + 180 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 with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa?
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 beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa?
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 with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa 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 with Brazilian Black Beans and Farofa?
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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