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Easy Beginner Brazilian Feijoada Recipe Perfect for Homemade Black Bean Pork Stew

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A hearty and approachable Brazilian black bean and pork stew that is perfect for beginners. This recipe is simple, forgiving, and delivers rich, smoky flavors with tender pork and black beans.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ cups dried black beans, rinsed and soaked overnight (or 3 cans, drained for shortcut)
  • 1 pound pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Zest from 1 orange
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • About 4 cups (1 liter) water or broth (chicken or vegetable broth preferred)

Instructions

  1. If using dried black beans, rinse and soak overnight in plenty of water. If using canned beans, drain and rinse before adding.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  3. Add pork shoulder cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown on all sides, about 7 minutes total. Transfer browned pork to a plate.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pot and cook until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in smoked paprika, cumin powder, and bay leaves. Toast spices for about 30 seconds to release aroma.
  6. Drain soaked beans and add them to the pot along with browned pork and crispy bacon. Pour in about 4 cups of water or broth, enough to cover ingredients by about 1 inch. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially with lid and simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if stew becomes too thick. Beans should be tender and pork fall-apart soft.
  8. Once tender, stir in fresh orange zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
  9. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve hot with white rice, collard greens, or fried plantains.

Notes

Soak dried beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve texture. Brown pork and bacon slowly to build deep flavor. Keep lid slightly ajar while simmering to maintain moisture without making stew watery. Add salt near the end to avoid toughening beans. Orange zest adds a classic brightness. A splash of apple cider vinegar or lime juice can brighten the stew if flavors seem flat.

Nutrition

Keywords: feijoada, Brazilian stew, black bean stew, pork stew, easy feijoada, beginner Brazilian recipe, comfort food, slow simmer stew

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/easy-beginner-brazilian-feijoada-recipe-perfect-for-homemade-black-bean-pork-stew/