Thickening Brunswick Stew: Secrets Revealed

Brunswick stew is a thick Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. The stew gets its thickness from the tomato base, which is often made with tomato paste, tomato sauce, or canned tomatoes. The base is then thickened with various types of lima beans (butter beans), corn, and other vegetables. Originally, the stew was made with small game meats such as squirrel, rabbit, or opossum, but today, it is more commonly made with chicken, pork, or beef.

Using leftover meat

Brunswick stew is a thick, hearty, and flavourful dish that is perfect for using up leftover meat. The traditional recipe for Brunswick stew includes squirrel, rabbit, and other wild game meats, but today, it commonly features chicken, pork, and beef. Here are some tips and tricks for making Brunswick stew with leftover meat:

Choosing Your Meat

You can use a variety of leftover meats for Brunswick stew, including chicken, pork, and beef. If you're using leftover chicken, opt for dark and white meat for a combination of flavours and textures. You can also use ground beef or pork, cubed pork loin chops, or cooked chicken breasts or thighs. Smoked or barbecued meats will add a wonderful depth of flavour to your stew.

Preparing the Meat

If you're using leftover meat, make sure to shred, chop, or dice it into bite-sized pieces. This ensures that the meat is evenly distributed throughout the stew and easy to eat. You can also use a mixture of meats to add more depth of flavour to your stew. For example, combine leftover chicken with pulled pork or brisket for a hearty and tasty dish.

Customising Your Stew

Brunswick stew is versatile, and you can customise it to your taste and the ingredients you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with different types of meat, vegetables, and seasonings. Some people like to add diced potatoes, butter beans, celery, or okra to their stew. You can also adjust the amount of barbecue sauce, ketchup, or hot sauce to suit your preference for sweetness or spiciness.

Cooking Tips

When cooking your Brunswick stew with leftover meat, start by sautéing your vegetables in a large pot or Dutch oven. Then, add your leftover meats and other ingredients, such as chicken stock, canned tomatoes, corn, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Simmer the stew for a good while, about 45 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency. Remember that the stew will continue to thicken as it cools, so don't overcook it.

Serving Suggestions

Brunswick stew is typically served as a side dish alongside barbecued meats such as chicken or pork. However, you can also serve it as a main course with cornbread, crusty bread, or saltine crackers on the side. It's a hearty and satisfying dish that's perfect for a family supper or a casual get-together with friends.

Thickening with cornstarch

Cornstarch is a great way to thicken your Brunswick stew. Here is a step-by-step guide:

How to Thicken Brunswick Stew with Cornstarch:

In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cool water. Stir the mixture until a slurry forms. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and there are no lumps. You can add a little more water if needed to achieve a smooth consistency.

Next, add the cornstarch slurry to your Brunswick stew. Stir it well, making sure the slurry is fully incorporated into the stew.

Let the stew simmer for a few minutes after adding the cornstarch slurry. This will allow the cornstarch to cook and activate its thickening properties. Stir the stew occasionally as it simmers to prevent sticking and ensure even thickening.

Finally, observe the consistency of your Brunswick stew. If it has thickened to your desired level, you can turn off the heat and serve the stew. If it's still too thin for your liking, you can repeat the process by mixing another batch of cornstarch and water, adding it to the stew, and simmering for a few more minutes.

Using cornstarch is an effective way to achieve your desired thickness without altering the flavour of the stew. It's important to add cornstarch gradually and in small amounts, as too much can make the stew overly thick or give it a glossy sheen.

Now you know how to use cornstarch to adjust the consistency of your Brunswick stew to your preference!

Adding BBQ sauce

If you want to make your stew thicker, you can add more BBQ sauce. However, if you don't want the flavour of the BBQ sauce to be too strong, you can balance it out by adding more tomato sauce or chicken broth.

Some recipes suggest using a thinner BBQ sauce, like Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, which is also lighter on sugar and has a bit of a kick. If you want your stew to have more tang, you can choose a vinegar-based sauce instead.

You can also add a little extra BBQ sauce when serving your Brunswick stew. Drizzling a small amount on top of the stew in the bowl can add a little extra flavour and make a great presentation.

Making it in a crockpot

Making Brunswick stew in a crockpot is a great way to enjoy this hearty, flavoursome dish with minimal effort. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving stew perfection in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make your Brunswick stew:

• Meat: Traditionally, Brunswick stew includes smoked barbecue pork, and sometimes chicken. You can also add beef or other wild game, such as rabbit or squirrel. For convenience, this guide will use just pork, but feel free to add other meats if you wish.
• Vegetables: Lima beans (butter beans), corn, onion, and potatoes are common ingredients. You can also add okra, celery, green beans, and peas. Use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables, according to your preference.
• Liquid: Chicken broth is a good base, but you can also add barbecue sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and/or Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour.
• Seasoning: Salt and pepper are essential, but you can also add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, or cayenne pepper for a spicier stew.

Method

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to assemble and cook your Brunswick stew.

• Place your meat in the bottom of your crockpot. If you are using raw meat, cut it into large chunks.
• Add the remaining ingredients, including all vegetables, liquid, and seasoning. Give everything a good stir to mix the ingredients well.
• Cover your crockpot and cook on a low setting for 4-8 hours, or on high for 3-6 hours. The longer you cook it, the more tender your meat will become.
• Once the stew is cooked, remove the meat and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat or chop it with a knife.
• Return the shredded meat to the crockpot and stir it through.
• Ladle your Brunswick stew into bowls and serve with cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread for a filling and satisfying meal.

Tips for the Best Brunswick Stew

• Season your ingredients separately before adding them to the crockpot. This adds depth of flavour to your stew.
• If you are short on time, you can use pre-cooked meat, such as leftover barbecue pork or rotisserie chicken. Add it to the crockpot at the end of the cooking process so it doesn't overcook.
• For a thicker stew, reduce the amount of broth or add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of the cooking time.
• If you like your stew spicy, add extra hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
• Brunswick stew tastes even better the next day, so don't be afraid to make a big batch and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.

Freezing leftovers

Brunswick stew is a hearty, thick stew that freezes well. If you have leftovers, you can store them in the freezer for a later date. Here are some tips for freezing and reheating Brunswick stew:

• Allow the Brunswick stew to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags.
• For easier portioning, divide the stew into individual servings using quart-size freezer bags. Leave some space for expansion and lay them flat in the freezer.
• Alternatively, you can use airtight containers to store the stew. Make sure to leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion during freezing.
• Label the containers or bags with the date and contents. Brunswick stew can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Thawing and Reheating

• When you're ready to enjoy your frozen Brunswick stew again, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• You can reheat the stew on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave using a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until warmed through.
• Do not reheat the stew in a plastic bag. Always transfer it to a safe container before reheating.
• If you're reheating a large batch, you might need to add a little bit of water or broth to the stew while reheating to adjust the consistency.

Frequently asked questions