Homemade Brunswick Stew
Made with tasty smoked pork, vegetables, and a flavorful barbecue broth, this classic southern dish is a comfort meal that warms the soul on a crisp autumn day.
You can substitute pork for chicken if you prefer. Either way, the result promises to be hearty and delicious. What’s the greatest part? This is a one-pot meal so you can count on an easy cleanup.
Contents
- What is Brunswick Stew?
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Brunswick Stew
- Is Brunswick Stew Southern?
- Is Brunswick Stew Made From Hog Head?
- Brunswick Stew Recipe
- FAQs
- What was Brunswick stew originally made with?
- How do you make Brunswick stew thicker?
- Is Brunswick stew and hash the same thing?
- Is Brunswick stew a Southern thing?
- What is the difference between Virginia and Georgia Brunswick stew?
- What state is famous for Brunswick stew?
- Is it better to thicken stew with flour or cornstarch?
- How do you deepen the flavor of stew?
- What goes best with Brunswick stew?
What is Brunswick Stew?
This recipe is named after the town it originated in but theres some debate as to where that actually was. Both Brunswick County, Virginia, and Brunswick, Georgia claim to be home to this delicious stew.
The two towns have been fighting over which one is the true hometown of Brunswick Stew for years, but the Glynn County Commission determined it was indeed Brunswick, Georgia.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- pulled pork
- corn kernels
- cooked white beans
- butter
- olive oil
- garlic
- onion
- diced tomatoes
- chicken broth
- barbecue sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- brown sugar
- cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper
How to Make Brunswick Stew
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the garlic and onions, and saut until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the other ingredients, except the salt and pepper.
- Once the stew begins to boil, reduce heat to a simmer (medium-low heat) and allow it to cook for 90 minutes. Stir occasionally. At the end, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more if desired.
Is Brunswick Stew Southern?
This southern delicacy comes in a variety of flavors. Its known as a hunters stew and can vary with different meat or vegetable choices.
Is Brunswick Stew Made From Hog Head?
The original recipe calls for a whole hog’s head. Of course, locals would use whatever ingredients they had available to make this recipe. The idea was to find original ways of making the best of what they had. Today, this stew can be made with chicken, but you will need to add more spices and vinegar to recreate the unique hogs head flavor.
Brunswick Stew Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2poundspulled pork
- 1cupcorn kernels
- 1cupcooked white beans
- 2tablespoonsbutter
- 2tablespoonsolive oil
- 1tablespoonminced garlic
- 1onionfinely chopped
- 2cupsdiced tomatoes
- 1quartchicken broth
- 1-1/2cupsbarbecue sauce
- 2tablespoonsWorcestershire sauce
- 1tablespoonbrown sugar
- 1/4teaspooncayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and onions and cook until softened (approximately 5 minutes).
- Stir in the other ingredients, except the salt and pepper.
- When the stew comes to boil, decrease the heat to a simmer (medium-low) and cook for 90 minutes. Stir every now and again. At the end, season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add more.
FAQs
What was Brunswick stew originally made with?
Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features a tomato base with beans, vegetables, and meat. Early Brunswick stews were often made with squirrel, rabbit, even opossum, but these days pork, chicken, and beef are common.
How do you make Brunswick stew thicker?
However, if you’ve done gone and done something different, you can always thicken any soup or stew with cornstarch. Mix 2 tbs of cornstarch with 2 tbs of cool water. Add to the stew after thoroughly stirring with a fork. Wait for a minute and if it isn’t thick enough, repeat until it is.
Is Brunswick stew and hash the same thing?
In some parts of the South (particularly the Carolinas), it is also known as “hash”, and served over rice. A classic Brunswick stew is an exceptional dish made with tomato base and includes different variety of meats, chopped bell pepper, lima beans, okra and corn.
Is Brunswick stew a Southern thing?
Brunswick stew belongs to a family of southern stews, its closest relative perhaps being Kentucky burgoo. Good-natured “stew wars” continue to rage between Georgia and Virginia.
What is the difference between Virginia and Georgia Brunswick stew?
Virginians think Georgia’s stew is too spicy; also, it’s full of smoked pork, which is merely an option in Virginia. Georgians find Virginia’s stew mushy and thick; theirs is more liquid, with identifiable chunks of vegetables and meat. In Georgia, Brunswick stew almost always contains peas; in Virginia, almost never.
What state is famous for Brunswick stew?
Virginia’s Brunswick County
In 1988, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution to honor Brunswick County as the official birthplace of Brunswick stew.
Is it better to thicken stew with flour or cornstarch?
Cornstarch thickens stew in the same way as flour does, but it is flavorless and does not obscure the liquid as much. It’s also gluten-free, however it must be applied slowly to prevent gloppy lumps. A medium-thick, viscous stew may be made using one spoonful cornstarch per cup of liquid.
How do you deepen the flavor of stew?
What can you do to make stew more flavorful? Of course, garnish with fresh herbs! Except for thyme, herbs lose their flavor as they simmer. So add dried spices at the beginning of the cooking time and fresh spices (like parsley, dill, tarragon or rosemary) at the end to add a punch of fresh flavor.
What goes best with Brunswick stew?
Here are a few sides that go well with Brunswick Stew:
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits.
Skillet Cornbread or Corn Muffins.
2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins or Pumpkin Bread.
A green salad dressed in Buttermilk Dressing.
Southern Fried Apples.