Brunswick Stew For A Crowd

Brunswick stew is a classic Southern dish that combines delicious smoked pork or chicken with vegetables and a savoury barbecue broth. It's the perfect meal to warm up with on a chilly day or when you're craving a taste of the South. The recipe typically includes corn, lima beans or butter beans, and a few simple spices for a touch of heat. It's a versatile dish that can be customised to suit your tastes, and it's perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you're a hunter or live off the land, you can try using squirrel, rabbit, or other game meat in your Brunswick stew. So, get your large pot ready and prepare to be transported to the flavours of the South!

Prep and cook time

The prep and cook time for 5 gallons of Brunswick stew will depend on the recipe you use and the equipment you have available. Here is a general guide:

Ingredients

To make 5 gallons of Brunswick stew, you will need the following ingredients:

• Meat: Pulled/shredded pork and/or chicken. You can also use leftover meat from a roast chicken or pork, or buy smoked meat from a BBQ restaurant. For 5 gallons of stew, you will likely need around 10 pounds of meat.
• Vegetables: Corn, lima/butter beans, onions, potatoes, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. You will need several pounds/kilograms of each, depending on your recipe.
• Liquids: Chicken stock/broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and tomato paste or crushed tomatoes.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.

Prep Time

The prep time will depend on how much chopping and slicing you need to do for your vegetables. It will also depend on whether you are using leftover meat or cooking the meat from scratch. If you are cooking the meat yourself, you will need to factor in the time it takes to cook and shred the meat. Allow at least 2-3 hours for this.

• Chop/slice all the vegetables.
• If cooking the meat from scratch, season and cook the meat until tender. This can be done in a large pot or Dutch oven, or in a slow cooker.
• Remove the meat from the bones and shred it.
• In a separate pot, sauté the onions until soft, then add the garlic and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the remaining ingredients, including the shredded meat and vegetables, to the pot.

Cook Time

The cook time for Brunswick stew will depend on how long you want to simmer the stew to develop the flavour. Most recipes call for a simmer time of around 1-2 hours, but you can also cook it for longer to enhance the flavour. Allow at least 2 hours for cooking, and up to 4 hours for a deeper flavour.

Total Time

The total time to make 5 gallons of Brunswick stew will depend on the recipe and your preparation methods, but you should allow at least 4-5 hours from start to finish. This includes the time to prep the ingredients, cook the meat (if necessary), and simmer the stew.

Ingredients

Brunswick stew is a classic Southern dish that combines smoked meat, vegetables, and a savoury barbecue broth. The ingredients you will need to make 5 gallons of Brunswick stew are:

Meat:

• Pulled pork
• Pulled chicken
• Ham
• Stewing hen

Aromatics:

• Yellow onion
• Garlic

Spices:

• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• Allspice
• Bay leaves
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Celery
• Peppercorns

Flavorings:

• Barbecue sauce
• Liquid smoke
• Hot sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Brown sugar
• Tomato paste

Vegetables:

• Corn
• Lima beans (also called baby or petite lima beans)
• Butter beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Green beans
• White shoepeg corn

Liquids:

• Chicken stock
• V8 vegetable juice

Other:

• Butter
• Salt
• Catsup

Cooking method

Get a large cooking pot or Dutch oven. Put the ham bone in with some water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. If there is any cooked meat on the bone, remove it and return it to the broth in the pan. Discard the bone.

Add the chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, celery, onions, and peppercorns. Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender – this should take around 1 ½ hours. When the chicken is tender, set it aside until it’s cool enough to handle.

Remove and discard the bones and skin from the chicken. Finely shred the chicken meat and return it to the broth.

Add the onion, butter beans (or baby lima beans), corn, potatoes, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, ketchup, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using). If needed, add more water to make a thick soupy stew.

Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender.

Cooking Tips

• For a deeper smoky flavour, start with a ham bone.
• You can skip the steps of cooking the chicken and broth by using the meat from a rotisserie chicken and purchased chicken broth or stock.
• If your stew is too thick, stir in a little water or stock. If it's too thin, remove the cover and let it cook until it has reduced to the consistency you want.
• You can add a cup of frozen, sliced okra along with the other vegetables.
• A couple of tablespoons of hot pepper sauce will add a nice background kick of spice.

Serving suggestions

Brunswick stew is a hearty, filling dish, so it doesn't need much to go with it. In Georgia, it's often served with cornbread on the side, but you could also try it with hush puppies, coleslaw, pickles, or a thick slice of white bread. If you want to serve it as a main course, a green salad on the side would be a great way to add some freshness to the meal.

If you're serving a crowd, you could cook up a large batch of Brunswick stew in a big pot outside over a wood fire—the traditional way. It's a great dish to serve at a party or family gathering, and you can keep it warm over the fire so people can help themselves throughout the day.

For a weeknight dinner, simply scale down the recipe and cook it on the stove. It's an easy, comforting meal that's perfect for chilly evenings. Serve it with cornbread muffins and sweet tea for a true taste of the South.

Brunswick stew also freezes well, so it's a great make-ahead option. Simply portion it into freezer bags and lay them flat in the freezer. Then, when you're ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.

Storage and reheating

Brunswick stew is a great dish to make in large quantities and store for later. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. When storing, make sure to use airtight containers or freezer bags.

To reheat, simply thaw the stew overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at 50% power until it's heated through. You can also reheat larger quantities in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

If your stew is too thick, you can add a little water or stock to thin it out. Likewise, if it's too thin, simply simmer it over medium heat, uncovered, until it reduces to your desired consistency.

Brunswick stew is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or main course. It's perfect for feeding a crowd and can be made ahead of time, so you can focus on other dishes or simply enjoy your company.

Frequently asked questions