Boas Comidas

Glossário Culinário

Feijoada

Prato

Origem
Brazil

Feijoada is the Brazilian stew of black beans with pork and beef, served with white rice, sliced collard greens, farofa, cracklings and sliced orange. A big-pot dish and communal meal, it is a symbol of the national cuisine and a classic at Wednesday and Saturday lunches.

Characteristics

Traditional feijoada uses black beans, pork ribs, loin, dried beef, paio and calabrese sausages, and bacon, slow-cooked until the broth thickens and the meats turn tender. The base seasoning is garlic, onion, bay and green herbs, with chili and orange on the side. The ideal result has whole, soft beans and a full-bodied broth, neither thin nor pasty. Salted meats need pre-soaking in several changes of water. Once ready, feijoada tastes even better the next day, so many people make it ahead. Serve very hot, with seasoned bean broth on the side for those who like it.

Uses in the kitchen

A complete feijoada calls for fluffy white rice, garlicky sautéed collards, cassava farofa, vinaigrette, crispy cracklings, boiled cassava and orange slices, which refresh and balance the fat. When plating, serve the beans with sliced meats on top and leave the paio and calabrese in visible rounds. Leftovers become tropeiro beans, feijoada fritters, tutu and snack broths. For parties, plan generous portions and keep the pot on the lowest heat, stirring now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.

Variations

The most popular versions are complete feijoada, with all the meats, light feijoada, with only lean ribs, loin and paio, and vegan feijoada, with black beans, pumpkin, carrot, smoked mushrooms, smoked tofu and paprika. Some regions also make seafood feijoada and white feijoada, made with white beans. The sides stay the same in every version.

Fun facts

Feijoada is a national favorite, but every family has its rule: with or without cilantro, with raw or sautéed collards, with moist or dry farofa. The orange is no accident: its acidity cuts the fat and makes the meal lighter. In bars, spicy bean broth whets the appetite before the main dish.

Recipes with feijoada

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