Brunswick Stew: Instant Pot Magic

Brunswick stew is a classic American tomato-based stew that can be made in an Instant Pot. It typically includes two types of meat, such as chicken and pulled pork, as well as vegetables like lima beans, corn, and potatoes. The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process, making it a convenient option for those who want to enjoy this hearty and comforting dish.

Prepping the ingredients

To make Brunswick stew in an instant pot, you'll need to prepare a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, meats, and seasonings. Here's a detailed guide on prepping the ingredients for a delicious and hearty Brunswick stew:

Vegetables:

Start by finely chopping one medium onion. You'll also need to peel and dice two russet potatoes or two medium potatoes. If you want to include carrots, slice two medium carrots into 1/4-inch disks. Additionally, mince or press about three to four cloves of garlic.

Meats:

For the meat, you can use a combination of chicken and pulled pork, or choose just one option. If using chicken, you'll need two bone-in chicken breast halves or two to two and a half pounds of skinless bone-in chicken thighs. If you prefer pulled pork, measure out two to three cups of shredded or chopped cooked pork. You can also use leftover turkey or beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.

Seasonings and Sauces:

Gather the following seasonings and sauces: Worcestershire sauce (about 1/4 to 2 tablespoons), apple cider vinegar (about 1/4 cup), ketchup (about 3 tablespoons), red pepper flakes (about 1/2 teaspoon), seasoned salt, ground black pepper, and barbecue sauce (about 1/2 cup). You can also include hot sauce, cayenne pepper or red chilli, and liquid smoke. Additionally, you'll need two cans of whole peeled tomatoes or crushed tomatoes, and one can of tomato sauce.

Beans and Corn:

Rinse and drain one package (about 10 ounces) each of frozen corn, frozen baby lima beans, and frozen sliced okra. Alternatively, you can use canned beans and corn, but be sure to drain them before adding them to the stew.

Other Ingredients:

You will also need two cups of chicken broth or chicken stock. Additionally, you can add a small amount of butter or olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.

Once you have gathered and prepared all the ingredients, you are ready to start cooking your Brunswick stew in the instant pot.

Sautéing the vegetables

First, turn on the sauté function on your instant pot. Add a little oil to the pot and wait for it to heat up. You will know it's ready when the display says "hot".

Next, add your chopped onions and sauté for a few minutes until they become translucent. This step is important as it adds flavour to your dish. Once the onions are ready, it's time to add the meat. Place the chicken thighs on top of the onions and pour in the chicken broth.

Now, add your desired seasonings. You can use salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Then, add the crushed tomatoes on top of the chicken. It is important that you do not stir at this point, as the tomatoes may burn on the base of the pot.

After adding the tomatoes, you are ready to pressure cook. Lock the lid in place, turn the steam release vent to 'sealing', and adjust the pressure cook button to 8 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let your instant pot reduce the pressure naturally for about 5 minutes without opening the steam release vent.

Finally, open the lid and remove the chicken thighs. Carefully take the meat off the bones and cut it into smaller pieces or shred it with forks. And there you have it—your perfectly sautéed vegetables for Brunswick stew!

Adding the meat

The type of meat you choose to add to your Brunswick stew is entirely up to you. Most recipes call for chicken, but you can also use pulled pork, leftover turkey, rabbit, or beef. If you want to be really authentic, you could even use squirrel or opossum!

If you're using raw chicken, place the bone-in thighs or breasts on top of the cooked onions and pour over the chicken broth. You can also add salt, pepper, and hot sauce at this stage.

If you're using cooked meat, simply add it to the pot with the vegetables and broth.

If you're cooking raw meat in the stew, you'll need to remove it from the pot once it's cooked and shred it using two forks or a hand mixer. Then, return the shredded meat to the pot.

If you're using chicken, you can also remove the skin and bones before returning the meat to the pot.

Cooking the stew

Ingredients

Depending on your preference, you can use either cooked or uncooked chicken and pork. You can also use leftover chicken or pork, or both. If you are using uncooked chicken, opt for skinless, bone-in chicken thighs. For the pork, you can use cooked or uncooked pulled pork, or pork shoulder or picnic/butt roast, bone-in. You will also need:

• Butter or olive oil
• Chopped onion
• Chopped/sliced garlic
• Chicken broth (preferably gluten-free)
• Canned crushed/diced tomatoes (fire-roasted tomatoes are preferable)
• Canned beans (lima beans, butter beans, and/or corn)
• Potatoes, peeled and diced
• Spices: salt, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper or red chilli, and garlic powder
• Tomato paste/ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Vinegar
• Barbecue sauce

Method

• Turn on the sauté function on your Instant Pot and add butter or oil. Once the butter has melted or the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until translucent.
• Place the chicken on top of the onions and pour over the chicken broth. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce, then pour over the crushed tomatoes. Do not stir.
• Lock the lid and turn the steam release vent to 'sealing'. Set the pressure cook button to 8 minutes.
• After the cook time is up, let the pot reduce pressure on its own without opening the steam release vent for about 5 minutes. Then carefully release the pressure and open the lid.
• Remove the chicken and take the meat off the bones. Cut it into smaller pieces or shred it using forks.
• Drain the beans and mash about half of the butter beans. Add all the beans to the pot, including the mashed beans.
• Add the cooked chicken, diced potatoes, creamed corn, and cooked pulled pork (if using).
• Lock the lid, turn the steam vent to 'sealing', and pressure cook for 4 minutes. Once done, you can release the steam and open the lid.
• Stir in the barbecue sauce and brown sugar (optional). To thicken the stew, mix a little flour or cornflour with water and stir it into the stew.
• Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

Serving suggestions

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to complement this tasty meal:

• Cornbread: This is a classic pairing for Brunswick stew, adding a crunchy texture and a sweet, buttery flavour. You can serve it as a side or use it to dip into the stew.
• Bread: A crusty loaf of sourdough or some soft dinner rolls can be the perfect vessel for mopping up that delicious tomato-based sauce.
• Rice or Pasta: For a more filling option, serve your stew with a bed of rice or pasta. This will soak up the sauce and create a heartier meal.
• Pickles and Slaw: For a refreshing contrast, serve some crunchy pickles or a tangy slaw on the side. This will cut through the richness of the stew.
• Vegetables: While the stew itself contains vegetables, you can also serve it with a side of steamed or roasted veggies. Collard greens, in particular, would be a great Southern-style side dish.
• Crackers: For a casual option, serve your Brunswick stew with some saltine crackers for dipping. This will add a salty, crunchy element to the meal.

Frequently asked questions