Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-feijoada-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Feijoada Vegetarian? (Pork & Beef Stew)

Feijoada is Brazil's national dish, a black-bean stew that is loaded with pork. The beans are the
base, but the meat is the point. Here is how to find the plant-based version.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Feijoada is not vegetarian: it is a black-bean stew simmered with several cuts of pork and beef.
> - The beans, garlic and onion are plant-based; the sausage, bacon and dried beef are not.
> - "Feijoada vegetariana" replaces the meat with smoked tofu or mushrooms.
> - Watch the rice and farofa (toasted cassava), which may be cooked in animal fat.

**TL;DR: Feijoada is not vegetarian.** It's a Brazilian black-bean stew cooked with various cuts
of pork (and sometimes beef). A vegetarian "feijoada": beans cooked without meat: is a common
plant-based version.

## What's in feijoada

- **Black beans**: the base (vegetarian).
- **Pork**: typically several cuts: sausage, bacon, ribs, ear/tail (carne seca/dried beef too).
- **Seasonings**: garlic, onion, bay leaf (vegetarian).

Traditionally served with rice, orange slices and farofa (toasted cassava flour: check for bacon
fat or butter).

## The vegetarian version

"Feijoada vegetariana" replaces the meat with smoked tofu, mushrooms, or extra vegetables, cooked
with the same garlic-onion seasoning. It's widely available in Brazilian restaurants.

Watch the **farofa** and **rice**: they may be cooked with bacon fat, lard or butter.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** No for the classic: order feijoada vegetariana.
- **Vegan?** Same, and confirm the rice/farofa aren't cooked in animal fat.

See our [Feijoada dish guide](/food/brazil/feijoada/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*