Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean and Pork Stew)
Why this recipe works
- Deep savoury base: Browning the pork and releasing the sausage’s smoky flavour before simmering gives the beans a fuller, more rounded taste.
- Bright finish: Orange zest and juice added near the end lift the richness of the pork and beans without overpowering the stew.
- Improves with resting: The stew holds well and develops more depth after cooling, making it especially useful for preparing in advance.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Soak the beans ahead: An overnight soak helps the dried black beans cook more evenly and keeps the simmering stage predictable.
- Mostly hands-off: The active preparation is brief, but the stew needs a long, gentle simmer for the beans to soften and the broth to thicken.
- Serve when thick and tender: The feijoada is ready when the beans are fully tender and the liquid has reduced into a hearty stew rather than a thin broth.
Texture tips
- For a creamier stew: Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot near the end of cooking, then stir them back through to naturally thicken the sauce.
- Keep the simmer gentle: A steady low simmer softens the beans without making the pork tough or breaking the beans down too aggressively.
Authenticity notes
- Brazilian black bean style: Feijoada is closely associated with Brazilian cooking, where black beans, pork and smoked meats create a deeply savoury stew.
- Simplified ingredients: This version keeps the familiar bean-and-pork character while using accessible cuts and smoked sausage rather than a wider mix of cured meats.
- Rice for serving: Plain long-grain rice is an ideal base because it absorbs the rich bean gravy and balances the intensity of the stew.
Make-ahead tips
- Good the next day: The flavours deepen after resting, so the stew is well suited to cooking ahead and reheating gently.
- Keep rice separate: Store the rice separately from the stew so it stays fluffy and does not absorb too much liquid in the fridge.
- Freeze the stew: Cool the feijoada quickly, freeze in sealed containers, then defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat with a little water if needed.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put the black beans in a bowl, cover with plenty of cold water, and leave to soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse well in a colander.
- Peel and finely chop the onion, and peel and crush the garlic. Cut the pork into bite-sized chunks and slice the smoked sausage into thick rounds.
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of the salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the pork and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until lightly browned. Stir in the sausage and cook for 2 minutes to release its smoky flavour.
- Add the drained beans, bay leaves, remaining salt and the black pepper, then pour in enough water to cover by about 3 cm. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook, partially covered, for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the stew is thick.
- While the stew simmers, cook the rice in a saucepan according to the packet instructions until tender. Drain if needed, cover, and keep warm.
- Finely grate a little orange zest, then squeeze the orange juice. Stir the zest and juice into the stew for the last 5 minutes of cooking, then remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with a little more salt and pepper if needed.
- Divide the rice between bowls and ladle over the feijoada. Top each portion with a small handful of mixed salad greens so they wilt slightly in the heat.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For a thicker, creamier texture, mash a ladleful of beans against the side of the pot, then stir back in during the last 10 minutes.
- Keep the stew at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the beans soften evenly without splitting too much.
- If serving anyone vulnerable, make sure the pork is cooked until piping hot throughout and the beans are fully tender.
Substitutions
- Replace the smoked sausage with chorizo sausage for a spicier, paprika-led flavour.
- Replace the mixed salad greens with kale for a sturdier topping that holds its texture.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the stew quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a pot with a splash of water until piping hot. Store rice separately and reheat with a little water in a covered saucepan until steaming.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 2h 45min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Latin American
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