Once you try my delicious Brunswick Stew you will be hooked and wonder how you made it this far without it. When I slow cook or smoke a pork butt I always make sure I save some of the meat so I can make this flavor packed stew. This is one of our favorite recipes and using already smoked and roasted meat makes it pretty much a dump-and-go recipe.
This classic southern dish is a thick stew that every great Southern cook knows how to make. This tomato base stew is made with barbecue sauce and a mixture of leftover smoked and roasted meats like pork, chicken, and beef. It typically has corn, lima beans or butter beans, and a few simple spices to give it just a touch of heat. There is some debate about whether this stew originated in Brunswick City, Georgia, or Brunswick County, Virginia which is how it got its unique name. It was originally made with squirrel meat, rabbit meat, and other wild game.
Why this recipe works!
- This stew is big and bold on flavor. It has a little Tex-Mex Southern flair to it and that is what I love about it.
- Have you ever smoked a big pork butt and wondered what you could do with the leftovers that would be different and exciting? Or bought a roasted chicken from one of the big box stores only to be left with half the bird and no great plan. Well here is your plan! You can even freeze the meat and make the stew in a few weeks.
- The stew is full of wholesome all-natural ingredients with plenty of protein and vegetables that you can feel good about eating and feeding your family,
- One of the things I absolutely love about this recipe is that it freezes quite well. Make a big pot, enjoy what amount you want and then simply add individual amounts to quart-size freezer bags leaving some space for expansion, and lay them flat in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then heat on the stove or in the microwave using a microwave-safe bowl. Do not heat in the plastic bag.
How to make Brunswick Stew
Start by heating a little oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or heavy stock pot. Then add the onion and cook until tender. Then reduce the heat and add the minced garlic cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Now stir the tomato paste with 1/4 cup of chicken broth and add it to the pot. Then add the remaining chicken broth, diced tomatoes, frozen corn, baby limas, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Then add the smoked pork and chicken and let it simmer for about 5 more minutes. If desired season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and drizzle with just a little bit more barbecue sauce.
Recipes notes and helpful tips
- This is my go-to recipe for leftover smoked pork and roasted chicken. You can use all of one or the other but I think it tastes better with both, You can also use different percentages of each. If you are a hunter or live off the land try squirrel, rabbit, or other game meat. Ground beef and ground pork or other less expensive options.
- Other vegetables you might add include potatoes, butter beans, celery, and okra
- The stew is a hearty meal in itself. However, if I am expecting company or have extended family over for dinner I like to serve it with coleslaw, Cornbread, and Southern Fried Apples.
- I use a Kansas City-style bbq sauce which is a little thinner, light on sugar with a little bit of kick. This is just the way I like it. I think it is a good match for the stew.
- After spooning the stew into bowls drizzle with just a little bit of extra barbecue sauce. It makes a great presentation and a little bit of added flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More stew recipes you will love!
Brunswick Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can 14.5 ounce fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- 1 ½ cups frozen lima beans
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce plus more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1-2 pinches of cayenne pepper
- 2 ½ cups pulled smoked pork
- 1 ½ cups cooked diced chicken breast or chicken thighs smoked or roasted
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a dutch oven or heavy stock pot. Add the onion and cook until tender; 5-6 minutes. Reduce heat and add the minced garlic cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl stir the tomato paste with 1/4 cup of chicken broth then pour it into the pot. Add the remaining chicken broth, diced tomatoes, frozen corn, lima beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and cayenne pepper to the pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the smoked pork and chicken and let it simmer for about 5 more minutes. If desired season the stew with salt and more pepper to taste. Spoon into bowls and drizzle with just a little bit more barbecue sauce.
Notes
- This is my go-to recipe for leftover smoked pork and roasted chicken. You can use all of one or the other but I think it tastes better with both, You can also use different percentages of each. If you are a hunter or live off the land try squirrel, rabbit, or other game meat. Ground beef and ground pork or other less expensive options.
- Other vegetables you might add include potatoes, butter beans, celery, and okra
- The stew is a hearty meal in itself. However, if I am expecting company or have extended family over for dinner I like to serve it with coleslaw, Cornbread, and Southern Fried Apples.
- I use a Kansas City-style bbq sauce which is a little thinner, light on sugar with a little bit of kick. This is just the way I like it. I think it is a good match for the stew.
- After spooning the stew into bowls drizzle with just a little bit of extra barbecue sauce. It makes a great presentation and a little bit of added flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Lana
Thank you Beth for sharing this Brunswick Stew recipe!
Deliciously fun to make. Family and I enjoyed every last detail of this Brunswick Stew. Taste great refrigerated too. I will definitely be make this again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Lana! So glad that you and your family liked the stew!
Fatima
Thank you very much for sharing your recipe! Husband loved the brunswick stew! He said this is the best Brunswick stew! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Fatima!
Jan
It looks amazing. I’ve never had Brunswick stew before. When would you add the potatoes? Cooked or raw?
Beth Pierce
Add the potatoes to the Dutch with the onions but slice them in into 1/2 inch cubes. Just cook until the onions are soft. The potatoes will soften with the rest of the goodies.
Sara
I love soup season for recipes just like this! Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Hearty, bold and flavorful; definitely, new favorite recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sara! I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Carrie
Oh yum! This has to be the best hearty comfort food. Which I had a bowl right now! 🙂
Irena
Amazing stew, bold flavors! Thanks for the recipe, it’s a keeper for me.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Irena! So glad that you liked the Brunswick Stew! It is one of our favorites too!
Anjali
This stew is so hearty, flavorful and delicious! Great for an easy dinner!
Ali
This stew was so good! Plus it made a lot of leftovers, so I have lunches for the week!
Justine
This was absolutely delicious! Already flavorful, the smoked pork just added another layer to it – absolutely out of this world good.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Justine! We love it too!
Sharon
This Brunswick stew was perfect for a quick and hearty dinner but it was even better as leftovers for lunch the next day.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sharon! So glad that you liked it!
Nathan
What a perfect comfort food! Very excited to try this stew, it looks absolutely delicious and so filling. Thanks for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Nathan! Enjoy!
Kushigalu
What a flavorful and delicious recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
Shelby
Wow such interesting flavors in this nourishing stew! It’s exactly what I want to eat on a cool day.
Dana Sandonato
This was such a delicious and cozy meal!
Nancy
This for introducing me to this Brunswick Stew. The tomato sauce was tangy and really appetizing
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Nancy!
TAYLER ROSS
I made this stew for dinner last night and it was incredible! So full of flavor and easy to make!
Kelley
This was so flavorful! My husband couldn’t get enough of this!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kelley! So glad that he loves it!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
This was such a hit! So much incredible flavor. We all loved it!
Eric L
Best Brunswick ever!!! Used a Kansas City style barbecue sauce instead of NC mustard-barbecue-sauce and it was exceedingly addictive.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Eric! I am happy to hear that you liked it, and it was addictive!
DeAnn
My husbands judges bbq restaurants based on their Brunswick stew. He LOVED this! I did too. We had some leftover bbq pork and chicken from a family get together, so I searched for a stew recipe and boy am I glad I found this one. So easy to put together and boy is it hearty and delicious!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! (and tummies)🧡🧡🧡
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome DeAnn. I am so glad that you and your husband liked the stew.
Susan
Haven’t tried it yet! I threw a combination of everything in your recipe into a crock pot, but the chicken and pork were uncooked. Will add the corn and beans closer to finishing – the combination of the spices, sweetness and flavors is making my mouth water already! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome, Susan! I sure hope you enjoy it!
kushigalu
What a delicious and flavorful stew recipe this is. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Kathleen
I made this last week and the family really loved it. I could go for a big bowl of this hearty, flavorful and comforting Brunswick stew right now.
Elizabeth
Glad to know it freezes well! This will be a great addition for any busy mom.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Amy
We had some leftover pulled pork that was perfect for this! Super delicious, easy, and so satisfying!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amy! So glad that you like the recipe!
Tayler
I’ve made this stew several times and it always turns out perfectly! So flavorful and comforting!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Tayler! I am happy that you like it.
Kathy strickland
My mother, from NC, often made this yummy stew for us growing up….I made it for my children, and am still making it. Great recipe…and I do add a bit of vinegar. The stew is also great without the meats! Thanks…great alone or with bbq etc.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kathy! We love it too!
Catalina
This stew looks so inviting! It’s on my menu for tomorrow!
Alita
I am always on a hunt for delicious recipes. I’m so happy I found this. Thanks for the great recipe.
Kathy
I’ve never had a Brunswick stew before. After seeing this I certainly need to give it a try though. It sure looks good.
Gervin Khan
I always love to eat a good stew, and I am so excited to make this at home for everyone. Yummy!
Forever My Little Moon
The stew was so good! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Tara Pittman
My husband loved this stew. He and I both agreed that we need to make it again. Thanks for the great recipe.
Amber Myers
I love this Brunswick Stew recipe. We always make it with leftover smoked pork butt. It is delicious.
Nyxie
This was really good. The whole family liked it! Thanks for the great recipe.
may palacpac
Looks really good! But what really caught my eye are the muffins behind the stew, haha! I want. to try that combination! Never thought of it before. We’re all rice, rice, rice here.
Marysa
I have never heard of Brunswick stew, and I don’t think I have had a recipe like it before. Sounds like a nice, hearty recipe!
Fransic verso
This looks yummy and hasn’t tried it yet. I have the ingredients to make and look so good. Thank you for sharing!
Tweenselmom
This tomato stew was yummy and hearty! Adding this to my list of recipes 🙂
Delray Boxing
I loved this good meaty stew. I could eat this once a week.
Michele @ Our Redonkulous Life
I have never heard of Brunswick stew, but this sounds delicious. My fiance would love this.
Christine
YUM! This was delicious. I love a hearty warm stew on a cold evening. Thank you!
Neely Moldovan
I had not heard of this before but it sounds great! I am going to try it this weekend.
Sienna
OMG love a good way to use up leftovers! This looks delicious! And I super appreciate sharing other things to put in and substitutions. And my family loves sweets, so I’ll def be making those southern fried apples to go with it. Yum!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Sienna! I sure hope you enjoy the stew and the apples.
Stephanie
Yum, what a delicious stew! And goes perfectly with the cornbread.
Tamara Gill
Hi!! Was just wondering if I could use left over rotissary pork for this recipe instead of smoked pork? That is all I have on hand 🙂
Beth Pierce
Yeah sure! Sorry I missed this. That would be great.
Tami
This recipe is delicious and so easy! I used pork only as I had quite a bit leftover from sandwiches earlier in the week and subbed canned butter beans and shoe peg corn (real southern veggies !) for the frozen corn and Lima beans, and mixed a sweeter and a spicier BBQ sauce.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tips Tami! So glad that you liked it!
Linda B
My grown daughter who has never liked Brunswick stew loved this! Next time I will cut down on the sugar and up the hot sauce. It made for a perfect Christmas dinner.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Linda! So glad that you like it. We love it too! I wish I had some for lunch today.
Angela Kay Hesson
Followed your recipe except I used coconut sugar and didn’t add the corn. It’s absolutely delicious. I have always wanted to make Brunswick stew, and now that I know how easy it is, I’ll be making it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Angela! So glad that you liked it!
Wajeeha Nadeem
I’ve never had brunswick stew, but you’ve convinced me to try your recipe. It sounds delicious!
Natalie
I can’t wait to try this. Looks delicious. Full of flavors, comforting and healing. I just saved the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
This was my first time trying Brunswich Stew, but definitely not my last. DELICIOUS and so satisfying and comforting!
Dannii
Oh this looks so comforting. I love the addition of BBQ sauce.
Joan
Wow! Love all the flavors in this stew, So excited to make this again next week!
Toni
Everyone at my house loved it! So good and comforting!
Allyson Reed Zea
I had never heard of Brunswick stew until I moved to the south, and then I couldn’t stop eating it! This recipe is great!
April
This stew has some of the most amazing flavors in it. Definitely a favorite in our house!
Lily
This stew was so hearty and delicious, we served it with garlic bread and for the first time the stew went before the garlic bread!!
April
M’mm….I love a good Brunswick Stew – this one was absolutely delicious!
katerina @ diethood.com
Such a warm, hearty and delicious soup!! Everyone loved it!
Toni
Packed full of amazing flavors!! Everyone at my house loved it!
Natalie
My kind of stew!! It is one of the most flavorful dishes & loaded with so many hearty ingredients. Glad it has both pork & chicken!
whitney
This is so filling and perfect for this cold, dreary weather.
Sunena
I cannot believe I have been sleeping on adding barbecue sauce to stew, but man does this sound delicious! Love this recipe, and it will be coming up on my dinnertime rotation soon!
Katie Beck
I love that you can use either pork or chicken for this as it you are right, it is a great way to use up leftover. And I always have leftover pulled pork!
Sharon
This stew is so full of flavor, two kinds of meat, lots of veggies, and a rich broth. A great dinner for the colder weather months.
CATHERINE
Brunswick Stew is the most delicious stew my family and I have ever eaten!
Thank you!!!
Lily stewart
I just made this for our big snow storm and it was a huge hit! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lily! Good snowstorm food!
Matt Taylor
Tis the season for soups and stews. This brunswick stew looks incredible, I can’t wait to make it.
Toni
This has been one of our favorite meals!! Always a hit at my house!
Barb
Brunswick stew has vinegar. That’s what makes it Brunswick stew. This is simply stew.
Beth Pierce
Ahh yes but barbecue sauce has vinegar in it.
Katie
I used Scott’s Barbecue Sauce. It has that wonderful vinegar base perfect for this stew!!
Beth Pierce
I agree! So glad that you liked it.
Sandra McCollum
This was so good!! A favorite meal for fall nights!
Michelle
So warm and comforting! Perfect dish for a chilly day!
Erika
This stew looks amazing! I’ve never tried BBQ sauce in my stew before, but I am intrigued!
Angela
This is really like stew meets baked beans! My family loved it.
Laura
Where was this recipe all my life? Now I need to roast pulled smoked pork to have leftovers so I can make it
Maria
Perfect! Stew is one of my comfort food <3 will definitely try this!
Jennifer
Haha! It’s not Brunswick stew because it has no rabbit, possum, squirrel, or coon!
It’s today’s version, more costly and without the excitement of the hunt, Inguess!
Cathy
Such a hearty, comforting recipe!
Toni Dash
This is such an amazing meal!! Perfect any night of the week!
Catalina
This stew looks amazingly delicious! A must try for sure!
Kimberly
This stew sounds wonderful! So hearty and packed full of deliciousness, can’t wait to try it!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Brunswick Stew looks incredibly delicious!
Haley Williams
Oh this is the best comfort food! Love this for a cold winter day.
Lola Osinkolu | Chef Lola's Kitchen
So great that it easily freezes, would be helpful for busy weeknights!
Shelley
Love this recipe! I feel like with big cuts of roasted meats there’s always just a ~little~ too much left over, and this is the perfect way to use it up. Can’t wait to share with my family!
Alison
This is a super easy and comforting stew for the winter months! Great flavors with the added hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
Katherine
There are so many great flavors in this awesome stew!
Ven
A flavorful and delicious recipe. Sounds delicious and a comforting meal too.
Carrie Robinson
I just love how comforting & hearty this is! Perfect for a chilly fall day. 🙂