Brunswick Stew: A Southern Comfort Unknown In The North

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. It is a traditional side dish served in barbecue restaurants throughout the South, but it can also be a main course. The exact origin of the stew is disputed, with the states of Virginia and Georgia both claiming its birth, with Brunswick County in Virginia and the city of Brunswick in Georgia claiming it was developed there. It may have originated earlier in some form in the city of Braunschweig in the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in today's northern Germany.

The origins of Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a Southern staple, especially in barbecue restaurants around the region. It is made with a tomato base and features lima beans, corn, and pulled pork. In the early days, all forms of game were used, including squirrel and opossum, with whatever vegetables were in season.

The exact origin of the stew is disputed. The states of Virginia and Georgia both claim its birth, with Brunswick County in Virginia and the city of Brunswick in Georgia claiming it was developed there. It may have originated earlier in some form in the city of Braunschweig (English: Brunswick) in the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in today's northern Germany.

According to an entrenched local tradition supported by a 1988 Virginia General Assembly proclamation, Jimmy Matthews, an African American hunting-camp cook, concocted a squirrel stew for his enslaver, Creed Haskins, in 1828, the stew being named for its home county.

Brunswick, Georgia, also claims to be the place of origin for Brunswick stew. A twenty-five-gallon iron pot outside that coastal town bears a plaque declaring it to be the vessel in which this favorite southern food was first cooked in 1898.

Good-natured “stew wars” continue to rage between Georgia and Virginia. Brunswick, Georgia, and Brunswick County, Virginia, Face Off in a long-running debate between the two states.

The ingredients of Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. Early recipes used squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum, but today, it commonly includes pork, chicken, and beef.

The ingredients for a traditional Brunswick stew include:

• Meat: pulled pork, cooked chicken thighs, ground pork, ground beef, or cooked chicken.
• Vegetables: onions, garlic, potatoes, corn, lima beans, celery, okra, and tomatoes.
• Seasonings: cayenne pepper, black pepper, brown sugar, salt, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Sauces: barbecue sauce, ketchup, and hot sauce.

Some recipes also include butter beans, baby lima beans, and green bell peppers. The stew is typically served with cornbread or biscuits and can be frozen for later consumption.

How to make Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a tomato-based dish that typically features beans, vegetables, and meat. The recipe varies depending on the region and the cook, but it usually contains corn, lima beans or butter beans, and a few simple spices to give it a touch of heat. Here is a recipe for Brunswick stew that you can make at home:

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 ounces) 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

Method:

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 ¼ 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.

How to serve Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve it:

• As a side dish: Brunswick stew is commonly served as a side dish to barbecued meats such as chicken or pork. It can be accompanied by other sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, or baked beans.
• As a main course: Brunswick stew can also be served as a main course, especially in colder months. It can be served with bread, biscuits, or cornbread on the side.
• With other sides: Brunswick stew can be paired with various side dishes such as mashed potatoes, cornbread, green beans, quinoa, basmati rice, potato wedges, coleslaw, garlic bread, zucchini fritters, farro, cucumber salad, or a garden salad.
• With bread: Bread is a classic side to go with Brunswick stew. Cornbread, in particular, is a great option as its slightly sweet and crumbly texture works well for soaking up the stew's juices. Other types of bread such as sourdough, honey whole wheat bread, or crusty bread are also good choices.
• With crackers: Crackers, such as saltine crackers, can be served alongside Brunswick stew for an extra crunch.
• With a salad: A fresh and crunchy salad can offset the richness of the stew. Options include a simple garden salad, a Caesar salad, or an apple and goat cheese salad.
• With other comfort foods: Brunswick stew can be served with other comfort foods such as mac and cheese or mashed potatoes.

How to store Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days if stored correctly. It can also be frozen for up to three months. Here are some tips for storing your Brunswick stew:

• Allow the stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and placing it in the refrigerator.
• To freeze, portion the stew into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion, and store it flat in the freezer.
• When ready to enjoy your frozen stew, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• For best results, consume refrigerated stew within three to four days and frozen stew within three months.

Frequently asked questions