Brazilian Black Beans
A hearty Brazilian-inspired dish featuring tender pork shoulder and flavorful black beans, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings with rich, smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
- Brown the seasoned pork shoulder in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
- Add soaked black beans to the roasting pan with enough water to cover the beans.
- Season the beans with salt and pepper.
- Bake for approximately 2 hours, adding chopped onion, more water, salt, and pepper after the first hour.
- Cook until the beans become soft in a soup-like broth.
- Slice the roast and serve the beans over hot rice.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the pork shoulder overnight with spices like cumin and paprika. If you don't have black turtle beans, you can substitute them with pinto beans for a different twist. Make sure to soak the beans for at least 4 hours to reduce cooking time. For added depth, sauté the onions before adding them to the beans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Brazilian black beans over a bed of fluffy rice for a comforting meal. Pair with a side of Stir-Fry Collard Greens for a delicious contrast in flavors. You can also offer some hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a little heat. This dish makes a hearty base for tacos or burritos as well.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the beans and pork in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the beans have thickened. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also freeze the bean mixture for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Brazilian Black Beans contains roughly 284 calories, with 10g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), iron (21% of the Daily Value), and protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 556mg per serving (24% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned black beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned black beans to save time. If you do, add them to the roasting pan during the last hour of cooking to heat through. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and reduce the amount of water added since canned beans are already cooked.
What if I don't have a roasting pan?
If you don't have a roasting pan, a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven can work well. Just ensure it has a lid or cover it tightly with aluminum foil to help retain moisture during cooking.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, omit the pork shoulder and use vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the beans. You can also add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a smoky flavor that mimics the richness of the pork.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).