
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsFeijoada Completa is the heart and soul of Brazilian cuisine, a rich and hearty black bean stew that brings families and friends together. This iconic dish combines tender black beans with various cuts of pork including ribs and sausage, along with beef, slowly simmered until everything melds into a deeply flavorful masterpiece. Traditionally served on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Brazilian restaurants, this complete version includes all the classic accompaniments: fluffy white rice, sautéed collard greens with garlic, toasted cassava flour farofa for texture, and fresh orange slices that cut through the richness. The cooking process is an act of love, requiring patience as the beans absorb the smoky, savory flavors from the meats. This one-pot wonder represents the diverse cultural influences that shaped Brazilian cooking, from indigenous ingredients to Portuguese techniques and African culinary traditions.
Instructions
step by stepRinse black beans thoroughly and soak overnight in cold water. Drain before using.
In a large stockpot, add the soaked black beans and cover with fresh water (about 10 cups). Bring to a boil.
While beans are heating, season pork ribs and beef with salt and black pepper.
Add pork ribs, beef chunks, and bay leaves to the boiling beans. Reduce heat to medium-low.
In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and add to the bean pot. Reserve bacon fat.
In the same skillet with bacon fat, brown the Italian sausage links on all sides, then add to beans.
Add whole peeled onions and smashed garlic cloves to the pot.
Simmer everything together for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to keep beans covered.
In the final 30 minutes, remove some beans and mash them, then return to pot to thicken the stew.
Prepare white rice according to package directions.
Slice collard greens into thin ribbons. Sauté in olive oil with minced garlic until just wilted, about 3 minutes.
For farofa: Toast breadcrumbs in butter until golden brown, season with salt.
Slice oranges into rounds.
Remove bay leaves from feijoada. Taste and adjust salt.
Serve feijoada in bowls over rice, with collard greens, farofa, and orange slices on the side.
Feijoada Completa
Brazil's national dish featuring black beans slow-cooked with pork, beef, and sausage, served with rice, collard greens, farofa, and orange slices for a complete traditional feast.
Ingredients
Main
- 4 cups black-beans, dried, soaked overnight
- 800 grams pork-chops, ribs or shoulder, cut into chunks
- 400 grams beef-steak, chuck or brisket, cubed
- 4 links italian-sausage, whole
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Aromatics
- 2 pieces onions, peeled and halved
- 8 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3 pieces bay-leaves, whole
Accompaniments
- 4 cups rice-white, cooked
- 6 cups kale, sliced into ribbons
- 2 cups breadcrumbs, toasted for farofa
- 2 pieces orange, sliced into rounds
Cooking
- 3 tablespoons olive-oil, for cooking greens
- 2 tablespoons butter, for farofa
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoons black-pepper, freshly ground