Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon
Traditional Brazilian side dish of toasted cassava flour mixed with savory bacon and onions, steamed to a fluffy, flavorful finish. This brazilian-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes pairs cassava flour (farinha de mandioca), diced bacon, small, finely chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 4, 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 cassava flour (farinha de mandioca)
- 6 oz, diced bacon
- 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 oz diced bacon for 5-7 minutes until crisp and fat is rendered. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in skillet.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp butter to the bacon fat in the skillet. Once melted, sauté 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups cassava flour, toasting it in the skillet for 5 minutes while stirring constantly until golden and nutty in aroma.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth gradually while stirring to moisten the cassava flour evenly. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a covered heatproof dish and steam over simmering water for 10 minutes to finish cooking and develop fluffiness.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in the reserved crispy bacon and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm as a traditional Brazilian accompaniment.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
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 diced bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
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 Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Steamed Farofa with Toasted Cassava Flour and Bacon?
Brazilian quick meals 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.
