There is something about a simple pot of arroz de feijão that just feels like home 🤍
It is one of those dishes every Portuguese kitchen knows by heart, made with humble ingredients but full of rich, comforting flavour.
This is how I love to make it at home. It stays true to tradition but with a few small upgrades that really elevate it. A splash of white wine, garlic for depth, and chicken broth instead of water for extra richness. It is still simple, still affordable, just a little more flavourful 😍
And the best part is you probably already have everything you need in your pantry ✨
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🛒 Ingredients
Olive oil as needed
1 small onion finely chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste
200 g Carolino rice
Splash of white wine about 2 to 3 tablespoons
3 cups chicken broth or water for a more traditional version
240 g cooked red beans
Salt to taste
Pimenta moída or chili paste to taste
Fresh parsley chopped for finishing
👩🍳 Instructions
1. In a medium pot, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.
2. Stir in the garlic and bay leaf. Cook for about 30 seconds just until fragrant.
3. Mix in the tomato paste and pimenta moida. Add a splash of white wine and let it cook off for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add rice, Stir well and let it cook for another minute to build flavour.
5. Pour in the chicken broth or water and mix everything together. Season with salt if needed.
6. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium low. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. When the rice is almost done, add the cooked red beans. Gently mix and continue cooking until the rice is tender and slightly saucy.
8. Remove the bay leaf and finish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
✨ Tips for the Best Arroz de Feijão
Do not let it dry out. This dish is meant to be slightly saucy and rich, that is what makes it so good 🤌
Use chicken broth if you want a deeper flavour, but water keeps it more traditional 🇵🇹
Mash a few of the beans before adding them in if you want a naturally creamier texture
Adjust the spice with pimenta moída depending on how much heat you like 🌶️
🍽️ What to Serve It With
This dish is simple but so versatile and pairs beautifully with so many things 🤍
I served it with a Brazilian marinated chicken and it was honestly unreal together 🤤
It also goes perfectly with grilled meats, steak, or even a fried egg right on top which is such a comfort meal 😍
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Budget friendly and filling
Ready in under 30 minutes
Authentic Portuguese comfort food with a modern touch 🇵🇹✨
Show some Love ❤️
If you try this recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out for you 🤍
Share it with someone who loves Portuguese food or save it for your next cozy meal 🇵🇹✨
🇵🇹 Arroz de Feijão (Portuguese Tomato Rice with Red Beans)
Ingredients
- Olive Oil as needed
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon pimenta moída (adjust to taste)
- 2-3 tablespoon white wine, preferably Vinho Verde
- 1 cup White Rice or Carolino Rice
- 3 cups chicken borth or water
- 1 cup cooked red beans, canned or homemade
- salt to taste
- fresh parsley chopped for finishing
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and pimenta moída and cook for about 1 minute to build flavour.
- Deglaze with white wine Vinho Verde and let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir well so it absorbs all the flavour.
- Pour in chicken broth or water and season with salt. Mix everything together.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to medium low heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When the rice is almost cooked, add the red beans and gently mix. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and slightly saucy.
- Remove the bay leaf and finish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra richness mash a few beans before adding them in 🤌
This dish should be slightly saucy, not dry
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