This Brunswick Stew recipe is made with pulled pork, shredded beef, and pulled chicken in a broth flavored with BBQ sauce. Hearty, filling, and easy to make, this stew is one you’ll want to make over and over again during the winter!
If you’ve never had Brunswick stew before, you’re in for a true treat today. This stew is incredibly hearty, filling, and it tastes so good. We make this pretty regularly throughout the winter months and it’s a hit with everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Stew Recipe
Here are a few reasons why I love this Brunswick stew so much.
- Hearty and filling. The fact that this stew is made with three types of meat plus veggies and beans means that you won’t be hungry after eating a big, steaming bowl of it! This is definitely a “meat on the bones” recipe.
- Great way to use leftover meat. If you find yourself with leftover pulled pork, beef brisket, or rotisserie chicken, Brunswick stew is a great way to repurpose those leftovers.
- Unique BBQ broth. One thing that sets this stew apart from others is the barbecue sauce in the broth. It gives it a unique flavor and it pairs well with the pulled meats. It’s sort of like having a BBQ pulled pork sandwich in soup form.
- Easy to customize. This stew recipe is very adaptable. You can use any combination of shredded meat you have on hand and change up the veggies too.
What Is Brunswick Stew?
Brunswick stew is a popular dish in the South (especially Georgia where we live), with lots of variations. Traditionally, it was made with small game like squirrel or rabbit and local beans though today it’s morphed into a hearty stew made with pulled or shredded meats and veggies.
The one thing all Brunswick stew recipes have in common, though, is a tomato-based broth with BBQ sauce. There’s also usually a little bit of heat from the addition of cayenne pepper, though that can be omitted if desired.
What You’ll Need
This stew is loaded with veggies and meats in a tomato-based broth. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic & onion – For added flavor.
- Chicken broth – Beef broth will work too.
- Tomato paste – Intensifies the tomato flavor in the broth.
- Veggies – Diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and canned lima beans. Be sure to drain and rinse the lima beans.
- BBQ sauce – You can use my homemade BBQ sauce or whatever your favorite BBQ sauce is. Keep in mind that the BBQ sauce used will impact the flavor of the stew so choose one you love.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the broth just a bit.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth to the broth.
- Spices – Salt, pepper, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Meats – I use a combination of BBQ pulled pork, pulled beef (such as brisket or chuck), and shredded chicken in my Brunswick stew. I like to use rotisserie chicken but you could use a seasoned pulled chicken as well.
How To Make Brunswick Stew
Here’s an overview of how to make this hearty stew. You can find the printable version of the instructions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the onions. Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the broth. Stir in the tomato paste, mixing with the onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes then pour in the broth. Bring to a gentle mixture.
- Add the other ingredients. Add the veggies, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Stir to combine. Add the pulled meats, stirring to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the stew.
- Simmer. Cover the pot and let the stew simmer on low for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Enjoy. Give the stew a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Here are a few tips for making the best Brunswick stew, as well as a few variations.
- Use any combination of meats. Feel free to interchange the meats as needed based on availability/preference. You can use all pork, all chicken, or all beef. If one of the meats is unavailable, increase the quantities of the pork, chicken, or beef accordingly.
- Adjust the heat level. If you want a spicier version of this stew, add more cayenne pepper. If you prefer a milder version, start with a smaller amount and increase to taste.
- Add other veggies. Other veggies like diced potatoes or green beans can be added or used as a substitute for more variety.
- Thicken the stew. If you prefer a thicker stew, let it simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve my Brunswick stew with some warm cornbread. For a twist, try jalapeno cornbread or honey cornbread muffins. Crusty bread, such as French bread, is also a great option for soaking up every last drop of broth.
If you want something even heartier, you can serve it over a bed of rice.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Leftover Brunswick stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer. For longer storage, freeze the stew in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to restore the stew’s consistency. Heat gently on the stove over low-medium heat until warmed through. Individual servings can also be warmed in the microwave.
More Cozy Stew & Soup Recipes To Try
New Brunswick Stew
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken or beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 15 ounces lima beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 1 cup BBQ pulled pork
- 1 cup pulled beef such as brisket, or chuck
- 1 cup shredded chicken I used rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it’s translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it mixes well with the onions and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes to enhance its flavor.
- Pour in the chicken or beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the diced tomatoes, frozen corn, lima beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together to combine.
- Gently fold in the BBQ pulled pork, pulled beef, and shredded chicken, ensuring the meats are evenly distributed throughout the stew.
- Cover the pot and let the stew simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld.
- Taste the stew and adjust the seasonings if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or cayenne pepper to suit your preference.
- Serve with cornbread or crusty bread and enjoy!
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1 thought on “Brunswick Stew”
Really looks great. I’m going to give it a shot.