Feijoada, stew or curry from Portugal: what it is and how it is eaten

Feijoada is a hearty bean stew made with pork or beef, found across Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Portugal and Brazil. It combines beans—white, red, or black—with various meats and is usually served with rice. Feijoada is often enjoyed at gatherings and has deep cultural roots, especially in Brazil.

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Feijoada is the national dish of Brazil.
It is made with beans and a mix of pork or beef.
Portuguese versions use white or red beans; Brazilian feijoada uses black beans.
Often served with rice at gatherings and celebrations.
The dish has roots in both Portuguese and African culinary traditions.

What is Feijoada?

Feijoada is a rich stew made by simmering beans with pork or beef, sometimes both. The beans can be white, red, or black, depending on the region. Pork cuts such as sausage, ears, or feet are common, and beef may also be included. Vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, or kale are added in some versions. The dish is usually served with rice, making for a filling and communal meal.

Where does Feijoada come from?

Feijoada traces its roots to northern Portugal, especially regions like Minho, Douro, and Trás-os-Montes, where bean stews with meat were traditional. Portuguese feijoada uses white or red beans and a mix of pork cuts and sausages. In Brazil, enslaved Africans adapted the dish using black beans and leftover pork, blending Portuguese, African, and indigenous influences. Over time, it became a symbol of Brazilian identity and is now considered the national dish.

How is Feijoada made?

To make feijoada, beans are cooked slowly with a variety of pork cuts—such as sausages, ears, or feet—and sometimes beef. In Portugal, white or red beans are used, while in Brazil, black beans are typical. Vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, or kale may be added. The stew is simmered until the flavors meld, and it is commonly served with rice.

Feijoada à transmontanaa traditional dish from northern Portugal. Photo: Adrião, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Feijoada à brasileira. Photo: Bradleyzm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Feijoada eaten?

Feijoada is enjoyed as a main meal, often at lunch or dinner. In Brazil, it is a social dish, eaten with family or friends, and is a fixture at gatherings, festivals, and special occasions like weddings. It is usually served with rice and sometimes accompanied by music and conversation, reflecting its role as both food and cultural event.

Kinds of Feijoada

Portuguese feijoada varies by region: white beans are used in the northwest, red beans in the northeast, and the choice of meats and vegetables changes locally. In Brazil, black beans are standard, and the dish has become deeply tied to national identity. Versions also exist in other Portuguese-speaking countries, each adapting the stew to local tastes and ingredients.

What Feijoada means

Feijoada is more than a meal; it is a symbol of community and tradition, especially in Brazil where it is the national dish. It is served at festivals, weddings, and religious events, and brings people together for leisurely meals. Its history connects Portuguese, African, and indigenous cultures, and it is now recognized worldwide as a culinary ambassador for Brazil.

Questions people ask about Feijoada

What is feijoada made of?

Feijoada is a stew made from beans—white, red, or black—cooked with pork or beef, and sometimes vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, or kale. It is usually served with rice.

Where does feijoada come from?

Feijoada has its origins in northern Portugal, but it became especially famous in Brazil, where it is now considered the national dish. It is also found in other Portuguese-speaking countries.

How is feijoada usually served?

Feijoada is typically served as a main meal, accompanied by rice. In Brazil, it is a social dish often enjoyed at gatherings, festivals, and special occasions.

Are there different types of feijoada?

Yes, Portuguese feijoada uses white or red beans and a range of meats, while Brazilian feijoada uses black beans and often includes a variety of pork cuts. Each region adapts the dish to local tastes.

What occasions is feijoada eaten for?

Feijoada is eaten both as an everyday meal and at festivals, weddings, and religious events, especially in Brazil where it is a symbol of community and celebration.

Good reading and sources

How to Make Feijoada, Brazil's National Dish, Including a Recipe From Emeril LagasseSmithsonian Magazine, Recipe

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Feijoada", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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