Brunswick Stew – Immaculate Bites

Is Brunswick Stew Really from Brunswick?

Brunswick stew is said to be a traditional Southern dish in the U.S., but its specific origins remain unconfirmed. Some claim it originated in Brunswick County, Virginia, but others say it’s from Brunswick, Georgia. I say when the food is this good, who cares where it’s from? 😜 This soup is so good, you’ll love it even if you aren’t a Southerner.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Meat – I prefer pulled pork and chicken for my version of Brunswick stew, but you can use any meat you like. Definitely add two kinds of meat if you can, though, because the added flavor will surprise you.
2. Liquids – Diced tomatoes and tomato paste add depth of flavor to the chicken broth base of this soup. A dash of Worcestershire and BBQ sauce take the broth that extra mile. 👌
3. Seasonings – Thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper, and Creole seasoning all work wonderfully with this stew’s many ingredients.
4. Veggies – Corn and lima beans are two common vegetables in Southern cooking and an integral part of Brunswick stew.

How to Make Brunswick Stew

Make the Base

• Saute – Heat the butter or oil in a large pot over medium heat. Then add onions, garlic, and thyme, and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are wilted.
• Add the Base – Next, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, Creole seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce and continue cooking for another 3 minutes. Then, pour in chicken broth and BBQ sauce.
• Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Finally, bring to a boil before simmering for about 7-10 minutes.

Assemble the Stew

• Add the Meat – Throw in the chopped cooked chicken and pork and cook for about 15 minutes.
• Now the Corn and Beans – Next, add the corn and lima beans. Continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes or until the stew reaches your desired consistency.
• Taste Test – Finally, give it a taste test and adjust the seasonings as needed and the thickness of the stew with broth.
• Serve hot off the stove.

Recipe Variations

1. All out of Worcestershire sauce? No problem. Substitute it with oyster sauce, fish sauce, or soy sauce. Don’t add more than a tablespoon, though, because these sauces have a strong flavor that can be overpowering.
2. Get creative with your meat selection, but always add two types of meat. Traditionally, Brunswick stew called for squirrel, rabbit, or even possum. They may not be your meat of choice, but if you have a hunter in the family, you might find venison or rabbit Brunswick stew to your family’s liking. 🤠
3. Swap out the veggies. If you aren’t a fan of corn and lima beans or don’t have them on hand, use any veggies you like. Potatoes, butter beans, okra, or celery would all work well with this stew.

Tips and Tricks

1. The BBQ sauce you use will affect the flavor of the stew. I like to use my homemade BBQ sauce because it’s tailor-made, but you can use what you prefer. Do you like your BBQ sauce sweet? Throw in a sweet sauce. Prefer a spicy version? Use that. 😁
2. Speaking of BBQ sauce, I like to drizzle a little extra sauce on top of each bowl when serving this stew. It adds a little extra flavor and makes for a lovely presentation too.
3. Be careful not to burn the onions and garlic when you start cooking because the burnt taste will seep into the whole stew.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Brunswick stew is a great make-ahead meal! Simply make it as the recipe states, then store it in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to serve it. It actually tastes better the next day.🤩

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve Brunswick stew as soon as it reaches the thickness you like. This stew tastes the best piping hot with a side of some kind of bread.

Store leftover Brunswick stew in an airtight container, and it should stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days and 3 months in the freezer. If you freeze it, let the stew thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then heat it up in a big pot on the stovetop until it starts to simmer. You can also use the microwave if you prefer. 😉

FAQs

What Goes with Brunswick Stew

I love serving Brunswick stew with homemade potato bread rolls, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, or crusty no-knead bread. Other perfectly Southern sides for this dish include hush puppies or a tossed salad. Either one is a surprisingly delightful pairing.

More Comforting Southern Recipes to Try

Conclusion

Brunswick stew is destined to be your new favorite fall meal; I can feel it! Have you tried this Southern classic yet? Let me know if you fell in love in the comments. ❤️

Watch How to Make It

This post was first published in September 2018 and has been updated with an additional writeup and a video.

This post was first published in September 2018 and has been updated with additional tips and a video.