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–+ servings

Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

Learn to make the very best Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew recipe! This Georgia staple is an iconic southern barbecue side dish.
Brunswick stew in a white bowl.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings 18 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 ham bone preferably from a smoked ham
  • 3 quarts water
  • 4 pound stewing hen
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or several sprigs fresh
  • 6 stems fresh parsley
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 2 small onions
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 medium potatoes cubed
  • 2 cups butterbeans (also called baby or "petite" lima beans)
  • 19 ounces canned whole kernel corn drained (two cans)
  • 18 ounces bottled sweet and smoky barbecue sauce recommend Kraft original
  • 1 cup catsup
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon 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. NOTE: If there is any usable cooked meat on the bone, remove it and return it to the broth in the pan. Discard the ha
  • 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 1/2 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

  • Brunswick stew may be made with all pulled pork, all shredded chicken, or any combination of the two. I prefer all chicken.
  • The ham bone is optional and used only to provide a smoky background flavor for the stew. 
  • Keeps in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container for about 4 days. May be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | 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
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