Brunswick Stew: Meat, Veggies, And Tangy Sauce

Brunswick stew is a hearty, flavourful dish that's perfect for warming up during the colder months. This Southern dish typically features a mix of meat, vegetables, and a savoury tomato-based sauce. While it can be made with different types of meat, the classic version includes smoked pork or chicken, combined with vegetables like corn and lima beans, and a generous amount of barbecue sauce. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that's sure to leave you feeling full and content.

Choosing your meat

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. Early recipes were made with squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum. These days, pork, chicken, and beef are the most common meats used.

Pork

Pork is a popular choice for Brunswick stew, with many recipes calling for smoked pulled pork or leftover pork shoulder. If you don't have any leftover pork, you can cook and shred or chop the meat before adding it to the stew.

Chicken

Chicken is another common ingredient in Brunswick stew. You can use cooked, shredded, or chopped chicken thighs or breasts. If you don't have any leftover chicken, you can cook and shred or chop it before adding it to the stew.

Beef

Beef is also sometimes used in Brunswick stew. Ground beef, stew meat, or cubed pork loin chops are all good options. If using stew meat, you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure the meat is tender.

Other Meats

You can also get creative and use other types of meat in your Brunswick stew. For example, if you're a hunter or have access to wild game, you could try using squirrel, rabbit, or other game meat, as was traditionally done.

Combining Meats

Many recipes for Brunswick stew call for a combination of meats, such as pork and chicken or pork, chicken, and beef. This can add depth of flavor to your stew. You can also use different percentages of each type of meat to find a ratio that suits your taste.

Picking your vegetables

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish that combines a variety of vegetables with meat in a savoury tomato base. While the type of vegetables used can vary, the most common ones include corn, lima beans, butter beans, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. Here are some tips for picking your vegetables when making Brunswick stew:

• Corn: Corn is a staple in Brunswick stew, adding a touch of sweetness and a burst of flavour. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn, depending on what's available.
• Lima Beans: Lima beans, also known as butter beans, are another common ingredient in Brunswick stew. They have a mild flavour and a creamy texture that pairs well with the other ingredients.
• Potatoes: Potatoes add substance and heartiness to the stew. They can be diced into small cubes or cut into larger chunks, depending on your preference.
• Onions: Onions provide a savoury base for the stew and enhance the flavour of the other ingredients. You can use yellow, white, or sweet onions.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are essential for the signature tomato base of Brunswick stew. You can use fresh, canned, or fire-roasted tomatoes.
• Other Vegetables: Feel free to experiment with other vegetables such as celery, okra, or carrots. These additions can give your stew a unique twist and add extra nutrition.

When picking your vegetables, it's best to use what's in season and readily available. You can also customise the types and amounts of vegetables based on your personal preference and dietary needs. The beauty of Brunswick stew is that it's versatile and adaptable to your taste.

Getting the right equipment

Brunswick stew is a hearty, flavourful dish that is well worth the effort. To make it, you'll need the right equipment to ensure your stew turns out perfectly. Here's a guide to help you choose the best equipment for making delicious Brunswick stew.

First and foremost, you'll need a large, sturdy pot. Brunswick stew is typically made in a Dutch oven, a cast-iron pot with a tight-fitting lid. It's perfect for slow-cooking and simmering stews, as it retains heat well and distributes it evenly. If you're cooking for a crowd, consider investing in a large cast-iron pot with legs, known as a "potjie", which is perfect for outdoor cooking. Alternatively, a heavy stockpot will also do the trick. Make sure your pot is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients and allow for a good simmer without boiling over.

In addition to a good pot, you'll need some essential utensils. A long-handled wooden spoon is ideal for stirring your stew without scratching the surface of your pot. You'll also need a sharp knife for chopping vegetables and meats, as well as a cutting board. Measuring cups and spoons will help you add the right amount of ingredients, ensuring your stew is perfectly balanced.

For serving, it's traditional to serve Brunswick stew with cornbread or biscuits on the side. So, you'll need a baking tray and a muffin tin if you plan on making cornbread muffins. Don't forget to line your baking trays with parchment paper for easy cleanup! Lastly, a ladle will help you serve your stew into bowls, and a whisk can be handy for smoothing out any lumps.

With the right equipment, you'll be well on your way to making a delicious pot of Brunswick stew. So, gather your tools and get ready to create a hearty, comforting meal that's sure to impress!

Cooking your meat

When it comes to cooking the meat for your Brunswick stew, there are a few different options you can choose from. Traditionally, the dish was made using small game meats such as squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum. These days, it is more common to use chicken, pork, and beef. You can also use a combination of these meats, or try other options such as ground beef, ground pork, or leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

If you are using raw chicken, pork, or beef, you will need to cook it before adding it to the stew. One option is to smoke or roast the meat beforehand. You can also cook the meat directly in the stew by browning it in the pot before adding the other ingredients. If you are using leftover meat or pre-cooked meat, you can simply add it to the stew at the end of the cooking process to heat it through.

If you are cooking your meat directly in the stew, here are the steps you can follow:

• Start by heating some oil or butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. You can also use the fat rendered from bacon or another type of meat.
• Add the onion and cook until it is soft and translucent. This should take around 5 minutes.
• If you are using ground meat, add it to the pot and cook until it is browned and crumbly.
• For other types of meat, such as chicken or pork, add it to the pot and cook until it is no longer pink.
• Once the meat is cooked, you can proceed with the rest of the stew recipe, adding the vegetables, sauces, and seasonings.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type and amount of meat you are using. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that your meat is cooked through and safe to eat.

Additionally, if you are using leftover or pre-cooked meat, you can simply add it to the stew at the end of the cooking process. Simmer the stew for a few minutes to heat the meat through, and then serve. This is a great option if you are short on time or want to use up leftover meat.

Adding the vegetables

Vegetables are a key component of Brunswick stew, adding flavour, texture, and nutritional value to the dish. The specific vegetables used can vary depending on personal preference and availability, but there are some traditional choices that are commonly included.

To start, heat a small amount of oil or butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy stockpot over medium heat. Finely chop or dice one or two large yellow onions, and add them to the pot. Cook the onions until they become soft and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This should take around 5 to 10 minutes.

Next, add the garlic. Mince two to three cloves of garlic and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. At this point, you can also add celery if desired; chop two stalks and add them to the pot.

Now it's time to add some canned or fresh tomatoes. You can use whole peeled tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or tomato paste, depending on what you have available. If using whole tomatoes, chop them before adding them to the pot. For a more tangy flavour, you can also add some tomato sauce or puree.

Stir in the tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes until they soften and release their juices. If using tomato paste, you can mix it with a small amount of chicken broth before adding it to the pot.

At this stage, you can also add some diced potatoes. Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes or chunks, and add them to the pot. The potatoes will cook and soften along with the other vegetables.

Feel free to experiment with other vegetables as well. Some people like to add okra, butter beans, or celery to their Brunswick stew. Frozen or canned corn and lima beans are also popular choices, adding a pop of colour and sweetness to the dish. Simply add them to the pot and let them simmer along with the other ingredients.

Once all the vegetables are in the pot, give everything a good stir to combine the flavours. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.

Now, you're ready to move on to the next step of making your delicious Brunswick stew!

Frequently asked questions