Slow-Simmered Feijoada with Smoked Sausage and Bacon

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A rich Brazilian black bean stew simmered slowly with smoky sausage, bacon, and tender pork for deep, hearty flavors. This brazilian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 195 minutes pairs black beans, water, smoked sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 dried black beans
• 8 cups water
• 12 oz, sliced 1/2 inch thick smoked sausage
• 6 oz, chopped bacon
• 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups water (extra for soaking)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups dried black beans and soak them in 4 cups water overnight or at least 8 hours to soften.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 6 oz chopped bacon and cook for 5 minutes until crispy and fat is rendered.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder and 12 oz sliced smoked sausage to the pot. Brown the meat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden on all sides.
4. Step 4: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 5 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until onion is translucent and garlic fragrant.
5. Step 5: Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot with 8 cups fresh water, 2 whole bay leaves, 1 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially. Let simmer gently for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally until beans are tender and meat is falling apart.
7. Step 7: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
8. Step 8: Serve hot over steamed white rice or brown rice for a satisfying meal.