Brazilian Feijoada is a fancy-sounding name for a flavorful pork and black bean stew and this slow cooker version could not be easier to put together.

In case you haven’t noticed, lately I’ve had a thing for pork in the slow cooker.

Today I have yet another slow cooker pork recipe to share. And it’s a good one. Brazilian Feijoada is a fancy-sounding name for a pork and black bean stew.

Shredded pork and black beans next to cooked white rice, peas, and orange slices on a white plate.

Packed with layers of flavor – we are talking, bacon, garlic, short ribs, pork, smoked ham hock – this meal is simple, simple, simple to prepare and throw in the slow cooker.

After my friend, Lesli, referred me to this recipe with rave reviews, I instantly put it on the menu plan. I mean, how could I pass up such an easy no-fuss meal? Especially since Brian lived in Brazil for a few years and I always like to surprise him with Brazilian remakes (uh, usually epic failures truth be told since I don’t have a drop of Brazilian culinary authenticity in my body).

Cooked on low for a good part of the day, the beans soften and cook to tender heartiness while the different flavors of meat meld together to create an extremely delicious concoction.

The verdict from the resident feijoada expert? My husband sighed his way through this meal, full of nostalgic memories of Brazil and the copious amounts (and diverse preparations!) of feijoada he inhaled while there.

His only critique was the encouragement of a bit more salt and more liquid to make it more of a stew and less of a…well, of a not-stew. Regardless, this hearty, filling and absolutely tasty meal was a hit. So much so that I’m already making it again this week.

Top view of a plate of shredded pork and black beans, white rice, peas, and orange slices.

What to Serve With This

I served this over rice with orange slices and steamed peas on the side.

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Brazilian Feijoada

Yield: 8 Servings
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours
4.55 stars (20 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried black beans
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • ½ teaspoon salt, more for sprinkling the meat before browning
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 boneless beef short ribs, trimmed (about 1-2 pounds)
  • 3 cups finely chopped yellow or white onion
  • 1 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (9-ounce) smoked ham hock
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 8 orange wedges
  • Hot, cooked rice, for serving

Instructions 

  • Place beans in a small saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain. Alternately, place the beans in a bowl and cover by 2-inches with cold water. Soak overnight. Drain.
  • Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Let the bacon cool and then place in a covered container or bag in the refrigerator to use before serving.
  • Sprinkle pork evenly with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Add pork to bacon drippings in skillet; cook the pork 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown all over.
  • Transfer the pork to a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle ribs evenly with salt and pepper. Add ribs to skillet; cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until browned. Place ribs in slow cooker. Add drained beans, 1/2 teaspoon salt, onion, chicken broth, garlic and ham hock to slow cooker, stirring to combine.
  • Cover and cook on low 8 hours or until beans and meat are tender.
  • Shred meat with 2 forks (you can do this by removing the pork and ribs from the slow cooker or just digging in and shredding amid the broth and beans). Remove and discard ham hock. Add the meat back into the slow cooker if you removed it for shredding. Stir in vinegar and crumbled bacon. Serve with hot, cooked rice and orange wedges.

Notes

Liquid: my husband loved the flavor of this but suggested it needed more liquid to be like the authentic feijoada he enjoyed in Brazil while living there. I liked it as is, since I don’t know the difference, but if you really do want it more stew-like, increase the liquid accordingly (perhaps starting with an additional cup of chicken broth).
Author: Mel
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Method: Slow Cooker, Stovetop
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 628kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 60g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 148mg, Sodium: 459mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 5g

Recommended Products

Cookware
12-Inch Nonstick Skillet
8-Quart Slow Cooker

Recipe Source: adapted from Cooking Light

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