Smithfield's Secret Stew Recipe

Brunswick Stew is a traditional Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. Early versions of the stew were made with squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum, but today, it is more common to use pork, chicken, and beef. The key to making a delicious Brunswick stew is to use high-quality ingredients that complement each other.

Smithfield's Brunswick Stew is a popular version of the dish that balances savoury, sweet, and tangy flavours. It is slow-cooked with a combination of meats, including chicken and pork, and sometimes beef, infusing the stew with a rich umami flavour. The sweetness comes from corn, lima beans, and sometimes sweet potatoes, while the tanginess is provided by tomatoes and a splash of vinegar.

The preparation method is also important to achieving the right taste and texture. The meat is browned first, then the vegetables are added and cooked until tender. Potatoes, tomatoes, and seasonings are then added, and the stew is simmered until thick and flavourful.

So, if you're looking for a taste of the South, why not give Smithfield's Brunswick Stew a try? It's a classic dish that's sure to satisfy your taste buds!

Meat

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. The meat adds protein and depth of flavor to the stew. While the recipe may vary from region to region, the most important ingredients are those that contribute to the stew's signature flavor.

Smithfield's Brunswick stew uses a mix of chicken and pork, which is slow-cooked to perfection. The sweetness in the stew comes from the addition of corn, lima beans, and sometimes even sweet potatoes. The tanginess is provided by the addition of tomatoes and a splash of vinegar.

The key to achieving the authentic taste of Smithfield's Brunswick stew lies in using the right ingredients and following the proper techniques. For the meat, you can use a combination of chicken and pork, or just one of them if you prefer. The vegetables you’ll need are onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes. The seasonings include salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.

To make the perfect Smithfield’s Brunswick stew, you’ll need to follow a series of simple steps. Begin by cooking the meat until it’s browned on all sides. Then, add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and seasonings, and simmer until the stew is thick and flavorful.

Vegetables

Brunswick Stew is a traditional Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. Early recipes often included squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum, but these days, it's more common to use pork, chicken, and beef.

Brunswick Stew is typically made with cooked pork shoulder or leftover pulled pork, along with shredded or chopped cooked chicken thighs. The barbecue sauce and a touch of cayenne pepper add rich flavor to the classic stew.

The Spruce Eats' recipe for Brunswick Stew includes the following vegetables:

• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups frozen baby lima beans
• 2 cups frozen corn kernels

Spicy Southern Kitchen's recipe for Easy Brunswick Stew includes the following vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups frozen lima beans
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn

Lana's Cooking's recipe for Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew includes the following vegetables:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 medium potatoes, cubed
• 2 cups butter beans (also called baby or "petite" lima beans)
• 19 ounces canned whole kernel corn, drained (two cans)

Taste of Southern's recipe for Brunswick Stew includes the following vegetables:

• 4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 can tomato sauce – 8oz.
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Seasonings

Brunswick Stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. The barbecue sauce and a touch of cayenne pepper add rich flavour to the classic stew.

• Butter – Melted butter is used to cook the onions and garlic in.
• Onion – Coarsely chopped or diced onion is cooked in butter until translucent.
• Garlic – Minced garlic is cooked with the onions.
• Chicken Stock – Used to cook the potatoes, lima beans, corn, and tomatoes.
• Diced Tomatoes – Canned diced tomatoes are added to the chicken stock.
• Barbecue Sauce – A generous amount of barbecue sauce is added to the stew. A North Carolina-style vinegar-based barbecue sauce is recommended.
• Worcestershire Sauce – A small amount of Worcestershire sauce is added for extra flavour.
• Brown Sugar – A small amount of brown sugar is added, but this is optional.
• Salt – Season with salt to taste.
• Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is added to taste.
• Cayenne Pepper – A small amount of cayenne pepper is added for a kick, but you can add more to taste.

You can also add hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, or Texas Pete Hot Sauce to taste.

Preparation

Ingredients

• Smithfield Boneless Pork Loin, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces
• Medium-size red potatoes, cubed
• Medium onion, chopped
• Low-salt chicken broth
• Diced tomatoes, undrained
• Frozen baby lima beans
• Frozen whole kernel corn
• BBQ pulled pork
• Chopped chicken, cooked
• Large red onion, diced
• Frozen peas and carrots
• Frozen okra
• Lima beans, frozen or dry (if dry, soak overnight)
• Medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• Minced garlic cloves
• Canned diced tomatoes in tomato juice
• Hickory BBQ sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Seasoning salt
• Ground black pepper
• Ground cumin
• Butter
• Chicken thighs, cooked
• Pulled pork, cooked
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Cornbread or biscuits, for serving (optional)
• Coleslaw, for serving (optional)

Steps

• Combine the pork and the remaining ingredients in a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
• Remove the pork and shred it with two forks; return to the slow cooker.
• If using raw chicken, add it to the slow cooker at the beginning with the pork. If using cooked chicken, add it to the slow cooker after the pork has been removed and shredded.
• If using dry lima beans, soak them overnight prior to making the Brunswick stew.
• If you prefer your Brunswick stew to be soupier, add more chicken broth or water.
• For a spicier stew, add more cayenne pepper to taste.
• For a sweeter stew, add a tablespoon of brown sugar.
• For a more savoury stew, add more Worcestershire sauce.
• For a smokier stew, use smoked versions of cooked pork and chicken.

Variations

There are many variations of Brunswick stew, with different regions and families having their own unique takes on the dish. Here are some of the most common variations:

• Meat: While the classic combination is chicken and pork, some recipes call for just one type of meat, or include beef or even smoked meats like ham. Traditionally, Brunswick stew was made with small game meats like squirrel or rabbit.
• Vegetables: In addition to the standard potatoes, onions, corn, and lima beans, some recipes include okra, peas, carrots, green beans, or even sweet potatoes.
• Base: While all Brunswick stews have a tomato base, some recipes add vinegar or substitute apple cider vinegar for the barbecue sauce.
• Consistency: Some people prefer their Brunswick stew thick, while others like it soupier.
• Regional variations: In Virginia, some versions of Brunswick stew omit tomatoes entirely, while in Georgia, okra is commonly added.
• Seasonings: In addition to the standard salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, some recipes include Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or extra hot sauce.
• Preparation: While slow cooking is a popular method, Brunswick stew can also be made on a stovetop or even in a large pot over an open fire.
• Leftovers: Brunswick stew is a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables, and it freezes well for future meals.
• Side dishes: Brunswick stew is often served with cornbread or biscuits, coleslaw, pickles, or a salad.

Frequently asked questions