
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsFeijoada Completa is Brazil's national dish, a rich and satisfying black bean stew that traditionally simmers for hours with various cuts of pork and beef. This one-pot wonder combines salted meats, fresh pork, beef, and linguiça sausage with black beans, creating layers of complex, savory flavors. The dish is traditionally served with white rice, sautéed collard greens (couve), farofa, orange slices, and hot sauce. Originally created by enslaved Africans in colonial Brazil, feijoada has become a symbol of Brazilian culture, typically enjoyed as a leisurely weekend meal with family and friends. The long, slow cooking process melds all the ingredients into a thick, flavorful stew that embodies comfort and celebration.
Instructions
step by stepSoak the black beans overnight in cold water, or use quick-soak method by boiling for 2 minutes then letting stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
In a large stockpot, add the soaked black beans and cover with fresh water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes until beans are partially tender.
While beans cook, cut the bacon, ham, and pork chops into 2-inch chunks. Season with black pepper.
In a large skillet, brown the bacon pieces over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside. Brown the ham and pork chops in the bacon fat, working in batches, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions until golden, about 6 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the browned meats, sautéed onions and garlic to the pot with the partially cooked beans. Add bay leaves, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Pour in enough water to cover all ingredients by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to keep ingredients covered.
After 2 hours, remove about 2 cups of beans with some liquid and mash them with a fork. Return the mashed beans to the pot to thicken the stew. Continue cooking uncovered for 30 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. The stew should be thick and rich.
Serve the feijoada in large bowls over white rice, accompanied by sautéed collard greens, orange slices, and hot sauce on the side.
Feijoada Completa
A hearty Brazilian black bean stew with multiple cuts of pork and beef, served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices. This iconic dish represents the soul of Brazilian cuisine with deep, smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups black-beans, dried, soaked overnight
- 12 slices bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 500 grams ham, cut into chunks
- 800 grams pork-chops, bone-in, cut into pieces
Aromatics
- 2 pieces onions, diced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 4 pieces bay-leaves, whole
- 2 teaspoons cumin, ground
- 1 teaspoons paprika, smoked
- 1/2 teaspoons cayenne, ground (optional)
- 1 teaspoons black-pepper, freshly ground
- 2 teaspoons salt
For Serving
- 4 cups rice-white, cooked
- 2 cups kale, chopped, for collard greens substitute
- 2 pieces orange, sliced into wedges