Brazilian Pork and Beans (Feijoada)

Name: Brazilian Pork and Beans (Feijoada)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Brazilian
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless pork butt or shoulder, cut into 2'' pieces; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup diced smoked ham; 1 cup diced yellow onion; 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced; 1 cup chicken or beef broth; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 cup long grain white rice; ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Feijoada is a traditional Brazilian stew of slow-cooked pork, black beans, and smoked ham that becomes fork-tender and deeply savory. It's a peasant dish elevated by patience and smoke, served alongside fluffy rice.

🌍Brazilian 🏷️Feijoada 🏷️Pork 🏷️Black beans 🏷️Slow cook 🏷️Portuguese

Total

4h 15m

Servings

4

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

1 lb boneless pork butt or shoulder, cut into 2'' pieces
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup diced smoked ham
1 cup diced yellow onion
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 cup chicken or beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 cup long grain white rice
¼ cup chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1
Pat pork dry with paper towels and season all over with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place pork pieces into the skillet and sear until browned, about 1 minute per side.
2
Divide 2 cans beans, 1 cup ham, 1 cup onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 cup broth, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp paprika between two Suvie pans and stir to combine. Nestle seared pork into the sauce and place the pans in Suvie. Place the rice in the Suvie rice pot and place inside the Suvie Starch Cooker, ensuring the pot is centered on the hot plate. Enter settings for long grain rice. Fill reservoir, input settings below, and cook now or schedule. Bottom Zone: Slow Cook on Low, 4 hours. Top Zone: Slow Cook on Low, 4 hours
3
After the cook, remove pans from your Suvie. Stir the pork and beans and divide between 4 bowls. Fluff rice with a fork and divide between bowls. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut pork into uniform 2-inch pieces so they cook evenly; uneven sizes lead to some pieces dry and others underdone.
Don't skip the tomato paste—it adds depth and balances the richness of the pork fat.
Skim the surface once or twice during cooking to remove excess foam and ensure a cleaner, clearer sauce.
Taste and adjust salt after 1 hour; canned beans and smoked ham are already salty, so go slow.

Substitutions

Boneless pork butt → bone-in pork shoulder (adds flavor but increases cooking time by 30 minutes)
Smoked ham → bacon, chorizo, or linguiça (different smoke profile; reduce salt if using salted sausage)
Chicken or beef broth → vegetable broth (lighter, less traditional but still functional)
Canned black beans → 2 cups cooked dried beans (cook separately if preferred for texture control)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of broth to loosen.

Common Questions

Can I make feijoada in a slow cooker or instant pot?

Yes. Stovetop: simmer 1.5–2 hours covered. Slow cooker: 6–8 hours on low. Instant Pot: 25 minutes high pressure, natural release 10 minutes.

What's the difference between feijoada and regular bean stew?

Feijoada uses black beans specifically and includes smoked or cured pork (ham, sausage, or offal traditionally). The smoke and pork fat are essential to its flavor.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?

Yes. Soak 1 lb dried black beans overnight, drain, and cook with pork and ham for 2–3 hours until tender, adding broth as needed.

How do I know when the pork is done?

The pork should be fork-tender and easily shred after 1.5–2 hours of simmering. It should break apart with minimal pressure.

Is feijoada vegetarian-friendly?

No, this recipe is built on pork and ham. A vegetarian version would require omitting all meat and using vegetable broth plus smoked spices like paprika for depth.