Catching Husbands With Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew is a traditional Southern dish, with a long history and a unique name. This hearty stew is a combination of meat and vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection. The dish typically includes chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables like potatoes, corn, and beans, all simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth. The addition of barbecue sauce gives it a distinct smoky and sweet flavour. With its roots in Georgia or Virginia, Brunswick Stew has become a beloved side dish at barbecues and family gatherings, often served with cornbread or crusty bread.

Ingredients

The ingredients for "Get a Husband Brunswick Stew" vary depending on the recipe, but they usually include:

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Celery
• Garlic
• Ground pork
• Ground beef
• Cooked chicken, shredded
• Canned whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
• Ketchup or tomato paste
• Hickory-flavoured barbecue sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Creamed corn
• Chicken broth
• Butter beans or baby lima beans
• Brown sugar
• Red pepper flakes
• Ham bone
• Stewing hen
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Celery
• Bay leaves
• Peppercorns

Some recipes also include okra, potatoes, squirrel meat, rabbit meat, or other types of wild game.

History

Brunswick stew is a traditional Southern dish, with a history that involves a long-standing rivalry between two cities with the same name: Brunswick, Georgia, and Brunswick County, Virginia. Both places claim to be the origin of the dish, and each has a large iron pot that is said to have been used to make the first batch of Brunswick stew. The recipe is believed to have originated in the early colonial days, and while its exact origins are unclear, it has become an iconic part of Southern cuisine.

The original Brunswick stew was made with squirrel meat, rabbit meat, and other wild game. Over time, the recipe evolved, and today, it is commonly made with a mixture of pulled pork, shredded chicken, and beef. The two essential elements of any Brunswick stew are a "'smoky' flavour, usually derived from the meat, and a "sweet" taste, often achieved through the addition of barbecue sauce.

While the specific ingredients and cooking methods may vary, the basic process involves simmering the meat with vegetables like onions, celery, and tomatoes, and seasoning it with barbecue sauce, ketchup, and hot sauce. The stew is typically served as a side dish alongside barbecued meats such as chicken or pork, and is often accompanied by baked beans, potato salad, or cornbread.

Brunswick stew has become a beloved comfort food in the South, and its unique history and flavourful combination of meat and vegetables have made it a staple in the region's culinary repertoire.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 (3-pound) whole cooked chicken, deboned and shredded
• 3 (14.5-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
• 1/2 cup hickory-flavoured barbecue sauce
• Ketchup
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hot sauce to taste (optional)
• 1 green bell pepper
• 3 (14.75-ounce) cans cream-style corn

Instructions:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and saute the onions and celery until soft.
• Mix in the pork and beef and cook until evenly browned. Do not drain.
• Transfer the pork and beef mixture to a large stockpot over low heat.
• Stir in the shredded chicken, tomatoes and their liquid, ketchup, and barbecue sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Place the whole green pepper into the mixture.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours or until thickened.
• Stir the cream-style corn into the stew mixture. Continue cooking for 1 hour or until you reach the desired consistency.
• Remove the green pepper, chop it, and return it to the stew or discard it.

Tips:

• You can serve the stew with cornbread or crusty bread.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Cooking tips

• Use a large pot or Dutch oven: This stew requires a large cooking vessel as it involves cooking multiple types of meat and vegetables. A large pot or Dutch oven ensures that you have enough space to comfortably cook all the ingredients.
• Prepare the meat in advance: If you're using a whole chicken, consider cooking and shredding it beforehand. This will make the process of putting together the stew much easier. You can also use leftover or rotisserie chicken to save time.
• Sauté the vegetables: Start by heating oil in your pot and adding onions, celery, and garlic (if using). Sauté until soft and translucent. This step adds flavour and helps develop the base of your stew.
• Brown the meat: Whether you're using ground meat or shredded meat, it's important to brown it in the pot. This adds colour and flavour to your stew. Make sure to cook the meat until it's evenly browned before moving on to the next step.
• Simmer until thickened: After adding all the ingredients, let the stew simmer over low heat. This allows the flavours to meld and the stew to thicken. Depending on the recipe, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Adjust the consistency: Brunswick Stew should be thick. If it seems too thin, continue cooking until it reduces and thickens. If it's too thick, you can stir in a little water or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
• Season to taste: Don't be afraid to taste your stew as you go and adjust the seasoning. Add salt and pepper, and consider using hot sauce or red pepper flakes to add a kick. Remember, it's easier to add more seasoning than to take it out, so start small and increase as needed.
• Serve with bread: "Get a Husband" Brunswick Stew is often served with warm bread on the side, such as cornbread, dinner rolls, or crusty bread. The bread helps to soak up all the delicious juices of the stew.
• Store and reheat: This stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, use freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Customise to your taste: Feel free to customise the recipe to your liking. You can use different combinations of meat, such as all chicken or a mixture of pulled pork and chicken. You can also add other vegetables like potatoes, butter beans, celery, or okra.

Serving suggestions

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish, packed with meat and vegetables, so it can be served as a meal on its own. However, it is traditionally served as a side dish alongside barbecued meats, such as chicken or pork.

If serving as a main, it goes well with cornbread or crusty bread to mop up the juices. For a side, saltine crackers or cornbread are ideal accompaniments.

For a full meal, serve with coleslaw, cornbread, and Southern fried apples.

If you're making this for a crowd or a special occasion, it pairs well with grilled cheese sandwiches or peanut butter sandwiches.

It can also be served with baked beans and potato salad.

Storage and Reheating

Allow the stew to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove.

You can also freeze Brunswick stew for up to three months. Leave a little space at the top of the container to account for expansion. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the microwave or on the stove.

Frequently asked questions