Carne Moída Brasileira (Estilo do Dia a Dia)
Brazilian ground beef is one of the most common everyday preparations in Brazilian home cooking. It’s not a finished dish on its own, but a practical base that quietly supports countless meals throughout the week.
In Brazil, ground beef is usually cooked simply — onion, garlic, salt, and just enough seasoning to keep it adaptable. It’s meant to be reused: served with rice and beans, folded into sauces, layered into casseroles, or turned into fillings without needing to be reworked.
This recipe reflects how ground beef is actually prepared at home — straightforward, lightly seasoned, and focused on efficiency rather than presentation.
About this dish
Brazilian-style ground beef doesn’t rely on heavy spices or sauces. The goal is balance: enough flavor to stand on its own, but neutral enough to fit into many meals without clashing with other components.
Tomatoes may or may not be added, depending on the use. Some versions stay dry and crumbly, others slightly saucy. What matters is that the beef remains loose, well-cooked, and easy to portion.
Outside Brazil, ground beef recipes are often built as final dishes. In everyday Brazilian kitchens, it’s more often a flexible base — cooked once and reused as needed.
Before you start
The texture should be loose and lightly moist, not greasy or compacted.
Avoid overcrowding the pan, and let the beef brown properly before stirring too much.
This is not a heavily seasoned preparation. The idea is to create a base that works with rice, beans, pasta, or fillings without overpowering the meal.
Ingredients prepared before cooking
Brazilian Ground Beef (Everyday Style)
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper.
- Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until fully browned.
- If using tomato paste or fresh tomato, add and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and finish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Keep the seasoning light to maintain versatility.
- This base can be kept dry or slightly saucy depending on how it will be used.
- Avoid adding too much oil — the beef should be moist, not greasy.
- Let it cool slightly before storing to preserve texture.
Equipment used
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How Brazilians usually serve this
Brazilian ground beef is most commonly served with white rice and beans. It’s also used as a filling for pastries, layered into casseroles, mixed into pasta, or paired with vegetables for simple lunches.
It’s rarely treated as a “main attraction” — instead, it supports the rest of the meal.
Storage & reheating
Keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a pan or microwave.
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About The Brazilian Table
Practical Brazilian food, adapted for everyday kitchens outside Brazil.