Pork Brunswick Stew: A Tasty Guide

Brunswick stew is a hearty, flavourful Southern dish that combines meat, vegetables, and a variety of sauces. The traditional meat used in the stew was squirrel, rabbit, or other wild game, but nowadays, it is more common to use pork, chicken, or beef. The dish is usually served with cornbread or biscuits and can be paired with sides such as pickles, coleslaw, or a salad.

Choosing your pork

Choosing the right cut of pork is essential for making a delicious Brunswick stew. While the traditional Brunswick stew was made with small game meats like squirrel, rabbit, and other wild game, nowadays, it is commonly made with leftover cooked meats like pulled pork and roasted chicken.

If you're starting with raw pork, opt for cuts that work well with slow cooking, such as pork shoulder or pork sirloin (also known as pork butt). These tougher, fattier cuts become succulent and fork-tender when cooked slowly. Simply trim the meat from the bone, dice it, and toss the bone into the stew for added flavour. Alternatively, you can use pork tenderloin, a leaner and more tender option, but be careful not to overcook it, as it can dry out quickly.

For a quicker option, use leftover cooked pork, such as pulled pork or roasted pork, and add it towards the end of cooking to warm through. This way, you can also use smaller amounts of pork and bulk up the stew with other ingredients.

Preparing the vegetables

Chopping the Vegetables:

Start by gathering your vegetables, which typically include onions, garlic, potatoes, baby lima beans, and corn kernels. You will need 1 to 1.5 cups of coarsely chopped onions, a tablespoon of minced garlic, 3 cups of diced potatoes, 1.5 cups of baby lima beans, and 2 cups of corn kernels. You can adjust the quantities based on your preference and the size of your stew.

Using a sharp chef's knife, begin chopping the onions into uniform pieces. You want them to be coarsely chopped, which means a slightly larger dice than a typical chop. For the garlic, mince it finely, as this will infuse more flavor into the dish. As for the potatoes, dice them into small, bite-sized pieces.

Cooking the Vegetables:

Now that your vegetables are chopped, it's time to cook them. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add a few tablespoons of butter or oil to the pot. Once the butter has melted or the oil is hot, add the chopped onions and cook them until they become translucent. This should take around 3 to 5 minutes.

Next, add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. At this point, you'll add the diced potatoes, baby lima beans, corn kernels, and any other vegetables you'd like to include, such as celery or okra. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Adding Liquid and Simmering:

Once you've added all your vegetables to the pot, it's time to pour in the liquids. Start by adding chicken stock or broth—around 3 cups should be enough. You can also add a can of diced tomatoes, including the liquid, to boost the flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let the vegetables cook until they are tender. This should take about 15 minutes.

Seasoning and Adjusting:

After the vegetables are tender, it's time to season the stew. You can add barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Start with smaller amounts and adjust as needed. Remember, you can always add more, but it's difficult to reduce the seasoning once it's in the pot. Stir everything together, ensuring all the vegetables are coated in the delicious sauce.

Simmer the stew for an additional 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop. During this time, taste the stew occasionally to see if any adjustments are needed. If you prefer a tangier stew, add a bit more barbecue sauce or a splash of apple cider vinegar. If you like it sweeter, add a touch more brown sugar. For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper.

And there you have it! Your vegetables for the pork Brunswick stew are now perfectly prepared and ready to be enjoyed. Remember, these steps are just a guide, and you can always adjust the ingredients and quantities to suit your personal preference. Happy cooking!

Making the sauce

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. The sauce is made by combining and heating a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, spices, and sauces. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the sauce for pork Brunswick stew:

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Start by heating some butter or oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent and tender, stirring frequently. This should take around 3 to 6 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.

Step 2: Add Tomato and Broth

In a separate small bowl, stir together tomato paste or tomato sauce and a small amount of chicken broth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the cooked onion and garlic. You can also add diced or whole peeled tomatoes at this stage, along with their liquid.

Step 3: Include Corn, Beans, and More

Now, it's time to add the remaining chicken broth, frozen corn, and lima beans or butter beans. These ingredients are essential to a classic Brunswick stew. Give them a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Spice it Up

To add depth of flavour and a kick of heat, include some barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

Step 5: Simmer and Adjust

Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld. After this, you can taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more barbecue sauce, salt, black pepper, or cayenne pepper to suit your taste.

Step 6: Meaty Finish

Finally, add the smoked pork and any other meat you're using, such as chicken. Let the stew simmer for a further 5 minutes or so.

And there you have it! A delicious sauce for your pork Brunswick stew. Remember, you can always adjust the ingredients and their quantities to suit your personal taste and preferences. Enjoy your hearty and flavourful stew!

Cooking the stew

To make pork Brunswick stew, you'll need a large Dutch oven or heavy stock pot. Start by heating some butter or oil over medium heat, then add your onions and cook until they're translucent and tender. Next, add your garlic and cook for a further minute, stirring frequently.

At this point, you can add some tomato paste mixed with a small amount of chicken broth, if using. Then, add your remaining chicken broth, diced tomatoes, corn, beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and any other seasonings you'd like. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

After about 15 minutes of simmering, add your cooked, shredded pork and any other meat you're using. Simmer for another 5-15 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

You can serve your Brunswick stew as it is, or with a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce. It goes well with cornbread or biscuits and a side of coleslaw, pickles, or salad.

Serving suggestions

Brunswick stew is a hearty meal in itself, but it is often served with cornbread or biscuits to soak up the juices. It is also commonly served with coleslaw, pickles, or a salad on the side.

If you are serving a larger group or want to make the meal feel more special, you can get creative and serve the stew with fried okra, hushpuppies, or sautéed spinach. For a true Southern experience, serve it with cornbread and Southern Fried Apples.

In some parts of the South, Brunswick Stew is served as a side dish for barbecued chicken or pork, along with baked beans and potato salad.

If you have leftovers, Brunswick stew can be used to stuff potato skins, tossed with pasta, grains, or rice, or served over eggs.

Frequently asked questions