Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew - a classic Southern barbecue side dish combining meat and a variety of vegetables

If there was a list somewhere of iconic Southern recipes, somewhere near the top of that list would be Brunswick Stew. It is part-and-parcel of any Southern cook's repertoire although its origins are somewhat murky.

Of course, Brunswick, Georgia, claims bragging rights to the delicious recipe as does Brunswick County, Virginia. Who really knows where it originated? I'm sure I don't, but I know this - it is one of the most delicious combinations of meat and vegetables ever created. And, frankly, no Southern barbecue would be complete without a steaming pot of it.

All through the South, there are thousands of local, mom-and-pop barbecue restaurants. Every one of them serves up their own special barbecued meats, sauces, and stew. They're all different and delicious in their own unique way.

Depending on the cook, Brunswick Stew may have a base of all pork, all chicken or a mixture of the two. I prefer all chicken for mine. In years past, rabbit and other wild game meats were used, but that's quite rare these days.

The two things, however, that all Brunswick Stews must be is "smoky" and "sweet." The smoky aspect usually comes from the meat and the sweet from the addition of barbecue sauce.

How to Make Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

For Deep Smoky Flavor Start with a Ham Bone

Put the ham bone in a large cooking pot with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. If you don't happen to have a ham bone readily available, check to see if there's a HoneyBaked Ham store near you. They'll gladly sell you a ham bone. Also, lots of grocery stores have them if you just ask the butcher.

Note: Using the ham bone is optional, but it gives an extra smoky depth of flavor to the Brunswick stew. If you don’t have a ham bone, you may start with the simmering of the chicken and aromatic herbs. Use a barbecue sauce with a smoky flavor where called for later in the recipe.

Cook and Shred the Chicken

Add the chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, celery, onions, and peppercorns. I had some celery leaves left over from making celery sticks the day before, so that's what I used. Waste not, want not! Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender – approximately 1 ½ hours.

When the chicken is tender, set it aside until it's cool enough to handle. I will often prepare the recipe to this point and place the chicken and broth in separate containers in the refrigerator overnight. That gives an opportunity for the fat to rise to the top of the broth and it can easily be removed before finishing the recipe.

Remove and discard the bones and skin from the chicken. Finely shred the chicken meat and return to the broth.

Add Remaining Ingredients to the Pot

Add the onion, butterbeans (or baby lima beans), corn, potatoes, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, catsup, salt, and red pepper flakes, if using. If needed, add more water to make a thick soupy stew.

Simmer Until Done

Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender. Makes 15-18 servings.

How to Serve

Brunswick Stew is most often served as a side dish along with barbecued chicken or pork, baked beans, and potato salad. It may also be served in a big bowl with saltine crackers on the side.

Storing Leftovers

You'll likely have leftovers because this recipe makes a lot of stew! Just store them in a tightly closed container in your refrigerator for up to three days.

Enjoy!

More Stew Recipes on Never Enough Thyme

• Oxtail Stew
• Sunday Beef Stew
• Oyster Stew
• Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
• Mexican Beef Stew

Brunswick Stew Recipes from Other Bloggers

• Easy Brunswick Stew from Spicy Southern Kitchen
• Brunswick Stew from Immaculate Bites
• Brunswick Stew Recipe from Add A Pinch

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📖 Recipe

Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

A classic Southern barbecue side dish combining meat and a variety of vegetables.

4.6 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soups and Stews

Cuisine: Southern, Vintage

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours

Servings: 18 servings

Calories: 264kcal

Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ham bone preferably from a country cured ham
• ▢ 3 quarts water
• ▢ 4 lb stewing hen
• ▢ 2 bay leaves
• ▢ 1 tsp dried thyme or several sprigs fresh
• ▢ 6 stems parsley
• ▢ 2 ribs celery
• ▢ 2 small onions
• ▢ ½ tsp black peppercorns
• ▢ 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• ▢ 1 large onion chopped
• ▢ 4 medium potatoes cubed
• ▢ 2 cups butterbeans or baby lima beans
• ▢ 19 oz canned whole kernel corn drained (two cans)
• ▢ 18 oz bottle sweet and smoky barbecue sauce recommend Kraft original
• ▢ 1 cup catsup
• ▢ 2 tsp salt or to taste
• ▢ 1 tsp red pepper flakes or 1 red chili pepper chopped (optional)

Instructions

• Put the ham bone in a large cooking pot with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
• Add the chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, celery, onions and peppercorns.
• Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender – approximately 1 ½ hours. When tender, set the chicken aside until cool enough to handle.
• Remove and discard the bones and skin from the chicken.
• Finely shred the chicken meat and return to the broth.
• Add the onion, butterbeans or baby lima beans, corn, potatoes, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, catsup, salt and red pepper flakes, if using. Add more water if needed to make a thick soupy stew.
• Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender

Notes

A good source for purchasing a ham bone is HoneyBaked Ham. Or check with the butcher at your grocery store. They often have them and will often provide you a bone free of charge.

Using the ham bone is optional, but it gives an extra smoky depth of flavor to the Brunswick stew. If you can't find a ham bone, you can start with cooking the chicken and aromatic herbs and use a barbecue sauce with a smoky flavor where called for later in the recipe.

I suggest preparing the chicken in advance. Place it and its broth in separate containers in the refrigerator overnight. That gives an opportunity for the fat to rise to the top of the broth and it can easily be removed before finishing the recipe.

Brunswick Stew is most often served as a side dish along with barbecued chicken or pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. It may also be served on its own in a bowl with saltine crackers on the side.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 806mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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Lana Stuart

Lana Stuart is the cook and occasional traveler here at Never Enough Thyme. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
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