Slow-Cooked Brazilian Feijoada with Black Beans and Pork

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A hearty, slow-simmered stew combining savory pork cuts with black beans and rich spices, embodying the essence of traditional Brazilian comfort food. This brazilian-inspired beef ready in about 165 minutes pairs black beans, water, pork shoulder, cubed 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 cups black beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 lb pork shoulder, cubed
• 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced
• 4 oz bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 orange, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups black beans and soak in cold water for 8 hours or overnight, then drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 4 oz diced bacon and cook for 5 minutes until fat renders and pieces are crisp.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder and 8 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot, sauté for 6-7 minutes until browned on all sides.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 chopped medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
5. Step 5: Add the soaked and drained black beans, 8 cups water, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cumin. Squeeze juice from 1 halved orange into the pot and toss in the halves.
6. Step 6: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until beans and pork are tender and stew thickens.
7. Step 7: Remove orange halves and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving, pairing with white rice or collard greens.