Feijoada is a traditional Portuguese dish that came to Brazil in the beginning of the nineteenth century. Though it derives from European dishes like the French cassoulet or Spanish olla podrida, feijoada fits perfectly with Brazil’s culture. Brazilians adore feijoada, and most would say that it is the national dish of Brazil. Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro is served in all the traditional restaurants; some are even specialized in feijoada, like Casa da Feijoada (House of Feijoada) in Ipanema.

Basically a stew of beans with a lot of beef and pork, the Brazilian recipe of feijoada differs from the traditional Portuguese one. Among the many regional kinds of feijoada in Brazil, the original Brazilian recipe has black beans, smoked sausage and jerked loin, and also unusual pork trimmings like feet, ears, and tail. The side dishes are white rice, collard greens prepared with onions and garlic, manioc flour, deep-fried manioc and bananas, pork rinds, and sliced oranges. A pot of hot pepper sauce (go easy on it!) is practically mandatory.
Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro / source

How to Eat Feijoada:

Remember that feijoada is a heavy meal that takes hours to be prepared. It’s traditional to eat feijoada fora weekend lunch, in a big batch shared with family and friends. You should definitely try traditional feijoada once, but if you're looking for alternative variations, you can find many restaurants that serve feijoada without all the pork trimmings.

During your travel to Rio de Janeiro, eating feijoada at a good bar is another great touristic activity, especially when it comes to a caipirinha or a cold beer. Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa is famous for its feijoada.

There’s no better place to eat Brazil's national dish: feijoada in Rio de Janeiro!

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Happy travels!

By: Albano Moura
For: Rdj4u