Brunswick Stew Recipe: 4 Tips for Making Brunswick Stew

Brunswick stew is a one-pot stew found all over the Southern United States. There are many regional variations of the dish. Still, most feature a few key components: a tomato-based broth seasoned with umami-rich barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce, tender lima beans (butter beans), and either one or a combination of meats. The stew also features various chopped veggies, like okra, bell peppers, or corn.

Chicken, pulled pork, or rabbit are the most common proteins in modern Brunswick stews (traditional recipes featured game meats like squirrel and possum), but the spirit of the dish is to use whatever ingredients you have on hand.

The origins of such a widely adopted recipe are up for debate, with a few states claiming to be the true birthplace of Brunswick stew. Georgia-based stews are more likely to feature pork, while those in Virginia favor chicken or rabbit (or a combination of both). In some parts of North Carolina, recipes call for adding diced potatoes to the mix for a thicker consistency.

A Brunswick stew is a fluid creation: A recipe should be personal but flexible enough to incorporate a changing roster of ingredients. Here are some other tips to consider:

1. 1. Choosing the meat. There’s no wrong answer when it comes to meat choice in a Brunswick stew. Turn the remains of a roast chicken dinner into shredded chicken breasts or sliced chicken thighs, or put a serving of leftover BBQ to work.
2. 2. Use a slow cooker to maximize flavor. Brunswick stew is a low-and-slow dish by nature, and most spend a half-hour or so simmering on the stovetop. If you’re planning ahead, make the stew in a slow cooker.
3. 3. Use your favorite barbecue sauce. Some Brunswick stews incorporate barbecue sauce to add a tangy, smoky undertone to the cooking liquid. Choose your favorite, and begin by adding a tablespoon or two to avoid overwhelming the rest of the ingredients.
   
4. 4. Serve with a bread option. Serve the stew with a square of freshly baked cornbread or a flaky-soft biscuit.