Parker's Bbq: Brunswick Stew Secrets

Parker's BBQ in Wilson, North Carolina, has been serving delicious Eastern-style whole hog barbecue since 1946. In addition to its famous chopped vinegar-seasoned barbecue, Parker's BBQ is also known for its Brunswick stew, fried chicken, boiled potatoes, and cole slaw.

Brunswick stew is a traditional side dish served in barbecue restaurants throughout the South, but it can also be a hearty main course on its own. The only thing consistent about Brunswick stew is that it's tomato-based and thick. It's often made from leftovers, which is probably why there isn't one recipe that is considered original or authentic.

Parker's BBQ's Brunswick stew is slow-simmered to perfection with the restaurant's secret blend of spices. It features succulent pieces of slow-smoked chicken, fresh vegetables, and zesty seasonings. You can order their famous Brunswick stew online and have it shipped to your home.

A brief history of Parker's BBQ

Parker's BBQ is an Eastern North Carolina barbecue staple that has been serving the region for over 50 years. The business was started by brothers Ralph and Graham Parker with their partner Henry Brewer in 1946 in Wilson, North Carolina. The Parker brothers' father, Richard Parker, sold a tract of timber along the Tar River in the mid-1940s, and the trees that were too difficult to remove were used to build the first Parker's Barbecue Restaurant.

In the late 1960s, J.C. Parker, son of Richard Parker and brother to Ralph and Graham, decided to open another barbecue restaurant in Greenville, NC, with his son, Doug Parker. The first of three Parker's Barbecue Restaurants in Greenville opened in March 1970. The Parker family's reputation preceded them, and they quickly became Greenville's go-to spot for whole hog pork barbecue and fried chicken.

Today, Parker's BBQ continues to be a family-owned and operated business, employing around 200 people across their three Greenville locations. They are known for their tangy vinegar sauce and award-winning whole hog barbecue, which is slowly roasted daily and infused with their signature barbecue sauce. In addition to their barbecue, Parker's BBQ is also famous for their fried chicken, boiled potatoes, cole slaw, and Brunswick stew.

The ingredients needed for the Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a tomato-based dish native to the Southern United States. It is a flexible recipe that can be made with a variety of ingredients, but here is a list of ingredients that you will need to make a delicious Brunswick stew:

• Meats: Smoked meats are commonly used, such as chicken, pulled pork, brisket, or any leftover BBQ meat. You can also use unsmoked meats like chicken thighs, cubed pork loin chops, or ground beef.
• Vegetables: Onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, corn, lima beans, potatoes, and carrots are all great options. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables.
• Liquids: Chicken stock or broth, canned diced tomatoes, and barbecue sauce form the base of the stew. You can also add in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar to taste.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper are commonly used to add flavour to the stew.
• Fats: Butter or olive oil can be used to sauté the vegetables at the beginning of the cooking process.

With these ingredients, you'll be well on your way to making a delicious and hearty Brunswick stew!

How to make the Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a tomato-based dish native to the Southern United States. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of meats and vegetables, but it is always thick and hearty. Here is a recipe for Brunswick stew that serves 12-14 people and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork barbecue, fully cooked
• 1 lb baby lima beans
• 4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
• 2 cans tomato paste (4 oz)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (e.g. Texas Pete)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 fryer chicken
• 1 can corn
• Ketchup
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

• Rinse the chicken under cold running water, checking for any remaining feathers. Place the chicken in a large stock pot and cover with water about 6 inches over the chicken.
• Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let the chicken cook for one hour.
• Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool.
• Place the frozen baby lima beans and frozen corn in a colander and rinse well.
• Add the beans and corn to a large stock pot.
• Wash, peel, and cut the potatoes, then add them to the pot with the beans and corn.
• Add enough water to cover the vegetables by about 2 inches.
• Cook the vegetables over medium heat, stirring often, until tender (about one hour).
• While the vegetables are cooking, pull the chicken meat from the bones and shred it into small pieces. Discard the bones and skin.
• When the vegetables are done, remove any excess liquid, leaving just enough to reach the top of the vegetables.
• Add the apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot.
• Add the shredded chicken and pork barbecue to the pot.
• Add ketchup to taste, then stir well.
• Return the pot to the stove and simmer on medium, stirring often, until warm before serving.
• If needed, add stock or liquid from vegetables to obtain the desired consistency.

The best meats to use for the Brunswick stew

Brunswick stew is a tomato-based Southern stew that is packed with meat and vegetables. The best meats to use for Brunswick stew are those that are smoked or roasted, such as leftover chicken, pork, or beef. You can also use ground beef, ground pork, or even game meats like squirrel or rabbit. The key is to use a variety of meats to give the stew a rich, hearty flavor.

• Smoked chicken thighs
• Smoked pulled pork
• Smoked brisket
• Roasted chicken
• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Squirrel meat
• Rabbit meat

When preparing the meat for Brunswick stew, it is best to dice, shred, or pull the meat into small pieces. This ensures that the meat is evenly distributed throughout the stew and creates a cohesive dish.

Remember, Brunswick stew is all about combining a variety of ingredients to create a unique and flavorful dish. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of meat and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences.

Customer reviews of the Brunswick stew

Customer reviews of Parker's BBQ Brunswick Stew are generally positive. Many customers have expressed their love for the stew, calling it "fantastic," "delicious," and "perfect." One customer mentions that it is "just like Smithfields," a well-known brand of Brunswick stew. Another customer says that Parker's BBQ is "famous" for its Brunswick stew.

Some customers have provided suggestions for improving the stew, such as adding more barbecue sauce for extra spice and flavor. One customer mentions that they were hesitant to try the stew at first but ended up liking it.

Overall, the reviews suggest that Parker's BBQ Brunswick Stew is a popular and well-loved dish that customers enjoy and would recommend.

Frequently asked questions