Smoky feijoada | Vegetable recipes | Jamie Oliver (2024)

FAQs

What does Brazil's national dish of feijoada consist of? ›

Feijoada or feijoada à brasileira (lit. Portuguese for "Brazilian-style feijoada") is a dish that consists of a stew of black beans with various types of pork and beef. It is served with farofa, white rice, sautéed kale, and sliced oranges, among other sides. It is a popular dish, typical of Brazilian cuisine.

Feijoada is a common name given to dishes from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal, Brazil, Angola, East Timor, Mozambique, and Macau, where it is made from a mixture of meat and white, black, or red beans, usually accompanied by rice.

The word feijoada comes from the word feijão, which is Portuguese for beans. Feijoada is a black bean stew that is brewed with a variety of salted and smoked pork and beef products from carne-seca to smoked pork spareribs.

While the Portuguese used the cream-coloured feijão-fradinho (black-eyed bean), in Brazil it's the black beans that get a thumbs-up. In the mid-16th century, the colonial Portuguese imported slaves to Brazil from all over Africa through their West African ports.

Feijoada can be a healthy dish, depending on its preparation. The beans provide a good source of fiber and protein, and the collard greens are packed with vitamins.

While feijoada is not cooked and served the same way in all regions, pinto beans are used in the country's Northeast. Because of the dish's reputation of being a heavy food, orange is typically served on the plate to eat after. It is commonly said this fruit helps with digestion.

The name comes from feijão, Portuguese for “beans”. The basic ingredients of feijoada are beans with fresh pork or beef. In Brazil, it is usually made with black beans (feijoada à brasileira). The stew is best prepared over low heat in a thick clay pot.

Rice is a staple of the Brazilian diet, albeit it is not uncommon to eat pasta instead. It is usually eaten together with beans and accompanied by salad, protein (most commonly red meat or chicken) and a side dish, such as polenta, potatoes, corn, etc.

Feijoada stands tall as the epitome of Brazilian cuisine. This rich and hearty stew, loaded with black beans and a medley of meats, encapsulates the country's culinary soul.

The most famous of all Brazilian dishes, Feijoada is eaten in every corner of the country. This rich, hearty stew consists of black beans cooked with different cuts of pork, supplemented with tomatoes, cabbage, and carrots to round out the flavor.