Best 3 Lightened Up Feijoada Recipes

**Feijoada: A Journey Through Brazilian Flavors**

Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant streets of Brazil with our exploration of feijoada, a beloved national dish that captures the essence of Brazilian cuisine. This hearty stew, often considered the country's national dish, is a symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Brazil. Join us as we delve into the secrets of this iconic dish, unveiling its rich history, diverse ingredients, and the unique cooking techniques that bring it all together. Along the way, we'll share lighter versions of feijoada that cater to modern preferences, allowing you to indulge in this Brazilian delight without sacrificing your health goals.

**Our culinary journey begins with the traditional feijoada completa recipe**, a feast of slow-cooked black beans, succulent pork, and a medley of meats, including beef, sausage, and bacon. This classic version embodies the true spirit of feijoada, showcasing the harmonious blend of flavors and textures that have made it a beloved dish across Brazil.

**For those seeking a healthier take on this Brazilian classic, we offer a lightened-up feijoada recipe**. This version incorporates leaner cuts of meat, reduces the amount of oil and saturated fat, and introduces a variety of colorful vegetables, creating a healthier yet equally satisfying dish.

**For those with dietary restrictions or a preference for plant-based cuisine, our vegan feijoada recipe is a delightful alternative**. This meatless marvel swaps out traditional meats for a combination of hearty beans, nutritious lentils, and flavorful vegetables, delivering a satisfying and protein-packed feijoada experience that caters to vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.

**Finally, we present our feijoada in a slow cooker recipe**, a convenient and effortless way to enjoy this Brazilian delicacy. This hands-off approach allows the flavors to meld and deepen over time, resulting in a rich and comforting stew that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

No matter which recipe you choose, feijoada is a culinary journey that promises to delight your senses and transport you to the vibrant heart of Brazil. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on this exciting exploration of Brazilian cuisine.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FEIJOADA (BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN STEW)

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew) image

This is my version of a traditional Brazilian black bean stew that maintains the rich smoky, flavors famous in Brazil. Additional meats, including sausage, may be added if desired. This is excellent served over brown rice.

Provided by L Ireland

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews

Time 11h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package dry black beans, soaked overnight
1 ½ cups chopped onion, divided
½ cup green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 smoked ham hocks
8 ounces diced ham
½ pound thickly sliced bacon, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 bay leaves, crushed
⅛ teaspoon ground coriander
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 3/4 cup of chopped onion, green onions, and garlic; cook and stir until softened, about 4 minutes. Pour in the soaked beans and fill with enough water to cover beans by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, or until tender.
While beans are cooking, place ham hocks in smaller pot with 1/4 cup of the chopped onion. Cover with water and simmer, until meat pulls off of the bone easily, about 1 hour. Drain and add to the beans.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place ham, bacon, and remaining onion in a baking dish. Bake 15 minutes or until mixture is crispy.
Drain the bacon and ham mixture, and add to the beans. Season with bay leaves, coriander, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes more. Stir in chopped cilantro and parsley just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 52.2 mg, Fat 18 g, Fiber 7.5 g, Protein 24.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 450 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

FEIJOADA

Feijoada image

Explore some new flavors with this hearty meat stew, a traditional dish in both Portugal and Brazil.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 pounds dried black beans, picked through
2 pound fresh pork ears, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 fresh pork feet, cut into 6 pieces each
1 fresh pork tongue, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound fresh pork ribs, cut into individual ribs
3/4 pound slab bacon (smoked pork belly), cut into 2-by-1/4-inch pieces
2 bay leaves
8 ounces smoked pork sausage, such as andouille or kielbasa, sliced 1/4 inch thick on the bias
Coarse salt and ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
10 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

Soak beans in cold water for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain and add to an 8- to 10-quart Dutch oven or large stockpot, nesting pork pieces, bacon, and bay leaves in beans. Cover with water by about 1/2 inch.
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, skimming any foam and fat for the first 1 1/2 hours. Remove pork ribs. Cover and cook for another 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add smoked sausage, cover, and continue cooking 1/2 hour more. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over minced garlic and smash into a paste using the side of a knife blade. Add garlic to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add onion and garlic mixture to beans and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes more, for a total cooking time of 4 hours, or until all are falling apart and melting into the beans. Season with salt to taste.
Serve hot with Garlic Rice, Collard Greens, Farofa, Tomato and Onion Vinaigrette, and orange slices.

LIGHTENED-UP FEIJOADA

Lightened-Up Feijoada image

Number Of Ingredients 0

Ingredients

Steps:

Soak the beans in cold water 8 hours or up to overnight.Drain the beans, rinse and set aside. Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chorizo and bacon and cook until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the bay leaves, garlic and onions and cook until the onions are tender, an additional 10 minutes. Add the beans and 5 cups of water; bring to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until the beans are tender and most of the water is absorbed, 2 1/2 hours. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and taste for additional seasoning. Serve with rice and orange slices.Source: foodnetwork.comRecipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.

Nutrition Facts : Calories per serving 171

Tips:

To save time, use pre-cooked black beans and brown rice.
If you don't have kielbasa, use another type of smoked sausage, such as chorizo or andouille.
Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Serve with a side of collard greens or kale.
For a vegetarian version, omit the kielbasa and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Conclusion:

This lightened-up feijoada is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a classic Brazilian dish. It's packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and it's low in fat and calories. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give this recipe a try!