We are all about keeping things easy (and on a budget), and maximizing what we have at home.
Today, for our new WOT series, $20 Tuesday, we are sharing with you this easy recipe for Big Batch Beans Vegetarian or Meat Style. If you missed last week’s $20 Tuesday Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork sandwiches, you can check it out here!
You can follow the recipe below or make swaps for any of the ingredients (raid your fridge and freezer) and still have a delicious meal that satisfies whatever you are feeling.
You can serve rice + beans on their own, vegetarian style, or throw an egg on top, Brazilian style. There isn’t a wrong way to make these! If you aren’t getting enough flavor, Camila can show you how to add some simple ingredients you probably already have at home to kick up the taste (have a look at the video below!).
These are a Brazilian household staple and a great way to get a big boost of protein on a budget and feed the whole family, all for around $20.
Big Batch Beans Vegetarian or Meat Style
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. dried black beans
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 lbs. pork ribs, I used small baby back but Any kind of pork or meat can be added this just makes a little more of a hearty meal.
- 1 lb. smoked sausage, your preference, cut into bite-size pieces, just sausage if it's all you have.
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic or some garlic powder
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (or what you have on hand)
- You can also add some Italian dressing to this mix if you have a good one! That is just for the fun!
- salt and pepper to taste, and any other spices of your preference.
- jalapeno or some crushed red pepper for heat
Instructions
- Sort and wash the beans well removing any that don’t look good.
- If using ribs, soak (brine) them in salted water for 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Drain and rinse the beans. Add to a large pot and cover with water, approx. 4 fingers width of water above the beans.
- Add the bay leaves. Cook the beans alone until just tender, adding water if needed.
- Add the soaked ribs in and let cook until the ribs are tender. Once tender, add the sausage pieces and cook through. The beans will be seasoned from the meats. You can add seasoning to taste at the end if more is needed.
- If you only had ground meat, you can sauté it with a little seasoning. Add once the beans are cooked. Or make little meatballs with the kids, and toss those in, it’s a free-for-all, get creative.
- Cook the beans until soft, seasoning with a little salt and the bay leaves.
- In a separate pan, sauté onion in oil until tender. Add garlic and tomato (if using),and your extra spices to taste and sauté until cooked and a little browned and reduced.
- Drain the amount of the beans from the pot that you want to eat that day and add to the sauté pan.
- Toss the beans in the pan on medium heat until they absorb all of those flavors. Add some of the cooking water if needed to get them to a nice consistency for serving.
- Serve over rice or quinoa. You can add a fried egg, avocados, or whatever you like or have!
- We would love to see what you do with beans, so please share with the WOT community. Whatever you don’t eat, they will freeze very well for a second meal.
Enjoy!
Making this recipe? Be sure and share it with us on the WOT Instagram or on Facebook!
Note: $20 is an approximate cost for this dish. The actual price of all ingredients may vary.
