Authentic Brazilian Feijoada: Hearty Black Bean and Meats Stew
Experience the rich culinary heritage of Brazil with this Authentic Feijoada, a beloved stew traditionally prepared on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This hearty dish is brimming with exquisite flavors from tender cuts of beef, smoky sausages, and crispy bacon, all melded together with creamy black beans. Each bite transports you to the vibrant streets of Brazil, sharing warm memories filled with laughter and community. Accompanied by fluffy white rice and a refreshing orange and coriander salad, this feast is perfect for special occasions or gatherings with family and friends. Indulge in this crowd-pleaser that exudes warmth and comfort—each spoonful is sure to bring 'oohs' and 'aahhs' from all around. Note: Enjoy this dish on a leisurely day, as Feijoada's fullness may coax you into a peaceful nap!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Black turtle beans
500 g (soaked in water overnight)
Beef steaks
500 g (cut into large chunks)
Cooked smoked pork sausage
200 g (sliced)
Spicy pork sausages
200 g (raw)
Pork belly steaks
2-3 (cut into cubes)
Bacon
8 slices (chopped)
Bay leaves
6 (whole)
Onion
2 (roughly chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (whole)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
Hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon (optional)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Oranges
6-8 (for serving)
Onion
2 (for salad, cut into rings)
Coriander
30 g (chopped)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for salad)
Lemon
1 (squeezed)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
1. Drain the soaked black turtle beans and place them in a large pot, covering with enough fresh water to rise about 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil without adding salt.
2
2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the cubed beef and bay leaves, reducing the heat to low.
3
3. In a separate high-heat frying pan, add vegetable oil and brown the pork belly cubes thoroughly. Add the browned pork belly to the pot.
4
4. In the same frying pan, brown the raw spicy sausages whole, then slice them and add into the pot.
5
5. Fry the chopped bacon until crispy and add it to the pot along with the pre-cooked smoked sausage slices (there's no need to fry these).
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6. Simmer the stew over medium heat for another 15 minutes. If it appears too dry, gently add a bit of water, but be careful not to oversaturate.
7
7. Take a cup of the beans and liquid from the pot, and blend it together with chopped onion and garlic until nearly smooth. If needed, add a little water to assist blending.
8
8. Pour the blended mixture back into the pot and stir well. Add hot pepper sauce (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer over low heat for 1 to 2 hours, checking and stirring every 15 minutes, and ensuring it doesn't dry out excessively.
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9. The stew should be thick and fragrant. If it's not thick enough, continue cooking until the excess liquid has evaporated.
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10. Serve the feijoada over a bed of fluffy white rice, accompanied by the vibrant orange and coriander salad below. Freeze any leftovers within 24 hours.
11
11. For the orange and coriander salad, soak sliced onions in iced water for at least 1 hour to mellow their flavor.
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12. Cut the oranges by trimming the top and bottom, then carefully peel them to remove the skin and pith. Slice into rounds and arrange on a serving platter, seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
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13. After draining and patting the onions dry, mix them with olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and chopped coriander, seasoning well. Garnish the orange slices with this mixture just before serving.
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14. Savor your magnificent meal with family and friends, and remember, this dish is known in Brazil to induce sleep, so enjoy it on a relaxed day!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Brazilian Feijoada?
Authentic Brazilian Feijoada is a hearty and traditional black bean stew featuring various meats such as beef, smoky sausages, and crispy bacon, often served on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
What type of beans are used in Feijoada?
This recipe uses 500 grams of black turtle beans, which should be soaked in water overnight before cooking.
What meats are included in this Feijoada recipe?
The recipe includes beef steaks, cooked smoked pork sausage, raw spicy pork sausages, pork belly steaks, and chopped bacon.
How do you prepare the black beans for the stew?
After soaking overnight, drain the beans and boil them in fresh water for 45 minutes before adding the meats.
When should the beef be added to the pot?
The cubed beef and bay leaves should be added to the pot after the beans have boiled for 45 minutes.
How is the pork belly prepared?
Pork belly steaks are cut into cubes and thoroughly browned in a high-heat frying pan with vegetable oil before being added to the stew.
Do the spicy pork sausages need to be cooked before adding them?
Yes, the raw spicy sausages should be browned whole in a frying pan, then sliced before being added to the pot.
How is the bacon prepared for the Feijoada?
The bacon is chopped and fried until crispy before being added to the stewing pot.
Does the smoked pork sausage need to be fried?
No, the pre-cooked smoked sausage only needs to be sliced and added directly to the pot.
Why is a portion of the beans blended during cooking?
One cup of beans and liquid is blended with onion and garlic to create a thick, nearly smooth mixture that adds body and flavor to the stew.
What seasoning is used in the stew?
The stew is seasoned with bay leaves, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and optional hot pepper sauce.
How long does the Feijoada need to simmer?
After all ingredients are combined, the stew should simmer over low heat for 1 to 2 hours.
What should I do if the Feijoada is too thin?
If the stew is not thick enough, continue cooking until the excess liquid has evaporated and it reaches a fragrant, thick consistency.
What should I do if the stew appears too dry?
Gently add a small amount of water to the pot, being careful not to oversaturate the mixture.
What are the traditional side dishes for Feijoada?
Feijoada is typically served over fluffy white rice and accompanied by a refreshing orange and coriander salad.
How do you make the orange and coriander salad?
The salad consists of orange rounds topped with a mixture of onions, olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped coriander.
How are the onions prepared for the salad?
The onion rings are soaked in iced water for at least 1 hour to mellow their flavor before being mixed with the dressing.
How are the oranges prepared for serving?
The oranges are peeled to remove the skin and pith, then sliced into rounds and arranged on a platter.
How many bay leaves are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 whole bay leaves to be added to the stew.
Can Feijoada be stored or frozen?
Yes, any leftovers should be frozen within 24 hours to maintain freshness.
Is Feijoada a spicy dish?
It can be spicy if you choose to include the optional tablespoon of hot pepper sauce and the raw spicy pork sausages.
What is the significance of Feijoada in Brazilian culture?
It is a beloved cultural heritage dish traditionally prepared for community gatherings and special occasions.
Why is Feijoada often eaten on a relaxed day?
In Brazil, Feijoada is known for its fullness, which often induces a peaceful nap after the meal.
How many garlic cloves are used?
Two whole garlic cloves are blended into the bean mixture to season the stew.
What type of oil is used for browning the meats?
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil are used for frying the pork belly and sausages.
How many oranges are needed for the side salad?
The recipe suggests using between 6 and 8 oranges for the salad.
How often should you stir the stew while it simmers?
The stew should be checked and stirred every 15 minutes to ensure it doesn't dry out or stick to the pot.
Can the salad be prepared in advance?
The onions should be soaked for an hour, but the salad is best garnished with the onion mixture just before serving.
Is there a specific way to peel the oranges?
Yes, trim the top and bottom of the oranges first, then carefully remove the skin and the white pith.
What makes the stew's texture creamy?
The creaminess comes from the slow-cooked black beans and the addition of the blended bean-onion-garlic mixture.