Brunswick Stew: Best Side Dishes

Brunswick stew is a hearty, comforting dish known for its rich flavours and thick consistency. It's the perfect meal for chilly evenings. But what should you serve alongside this Southern classic to make it even more enjoyable?

Mashed potatoes are a classic side that pairs beautifully with Brunswick stew. The creamy texture of the potatoes is a perfect match for the thick stew, creating a comforting and filling combination. Cornbread is another excellent choice, with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture, it works great for soaking up the stew's juices.

For a lighter option, green beans are a fantastic choice. They add a fresh, crisp element to your meal, balancing out the heartiness of the stew. If you're looking for a healthier side dish, quinoa is a great alternative. It's light yet filling and can be flavoured in numerous ways to complement the stew.

Basmati rice, with its aromatic and slightly nutty flavour, is another great option. Its light and fluffy texture makes it an ideal canvas for the stew's robust flavours. Potato wedges are a heartier choice, providing a crunchy exterior and soft interior that's perfect for dipping into the stew.

A cool and crisp coleslaw is also a great way to balance the warmth of the stew, while garlic bread adds a delightful crunch and rich flavour to the meal.

Breads

Bread is a classic side to serve with Brunswick stew, and there are several types that go well with this hearty dish.

A simple slice of white bread is a common choice, and Sunbeam bread is a popular option. Alternatively, you could serve the stew with saltine crackers or hushpuppies.

If you're looking for something a little more special, cornbread or biscuits are excellent choices. You could also try potato bread rolls, buttermilk biscuits, or crusty no-knead bread.

For a real Southern experience, serve your Brunswick stew with homemade potato bread rolls, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, or crusty no-knead bread.

Salads

Green Salad

A simple green salad is a great way to add a fresh and crunchy element to your meal. You can toss together a variety of greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, and add in some vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. A light vinaigrette or a creamy ranch dressing would pair well with the salad.

Cucumber Salad

This refreshing salad is perfect for cutting through the richness of the stew. Combine sliced cucumbers with a simple dressing of vinegar, oil, and herbs. You can also add in some diced red onions or tomatoes for extra flavour and colour.

Quinoa Salad

For a heartier salad option, you can try a quinoa salad. Cook the quinoa in chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavour, and then mix in some chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and cucumbers. You can also add in some herbs like parsley or cilantro for a fresh touch.

Kale Caesar Salad

If you're looking for a more substantial salad, a kale Caesar salad is a great option. The kale adds a crunchy texture and a boost of nutrients. You can make a traditional Caesar dressing or experiment with different flavours like a lemon-garlic vinaigrette.

Apple and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad is a beautiful side dish to serve with Brunswick stew. It combines the sweetness of apples with the tanginess of goat cheese and the crunch of candied pecans. You can also add in some mixed greens or spinach for extra texture and flavour.

These salad options will provide a fresh and healthy contrast to the hearty and comforting Brunswick stew, making your dinner a well-rounded and delicious meal.

Rice

Types of Rice

Basmati rice, with its aromatic and slightly nutty flavour, is an excellent choice to pair with Brunswick stew. Its light and fluffy texture makes it a perfect canvas for the stew's robust flavours. You can cook the rice in broth or add a bay leaf to enhance its aroma. White rice, particularly the fluffy variety, is also a great option and is a traditional favourite to serve with Brunswick stew. Brown rice is another wholesome alternative, adding a nutty flavour and a beautiful visual element to your meal.

Preparing the Rice

To prepare the rice, you can cook it according to the package instructions. For basmati rice, cooking it in broth or adding a bay leaf can enhance its flavour. You can also try cooking the rice in chicken or vegetable broth for added savouriness. If you're serving white or brown rice, consider adding some peas, carrots, or bell peppers to the rice for extra nutrition and a pop of colour.

Serving Suggestions

When serving the Brunswick stew with rice, you can plate it in a variety of ways. You can serve the stew on top of a bed of rice, allowing the rice to absorb the delicious flavours of the stew. Alternatively, you can serve the rice on the side, giving your meal a distinct and separate element. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different types of rice and preparation methods to find your perfect combination.

Complementary Side Dishes

While rice is a great side dish on its own, you can also pair it with other complementary sides to create a well-rounded meal. Some options include fluffy homemade rolls, crusty bread, banana cream pie poke cake, Southern pineapple pie, or strawberry Jell-O cream cheese pie. These sides can add a touch of sweetness and variety to your dinner.

Vegetables

Brunswick stew is a hearty dish that can be served with a variety of vegetables. Here are some ideas for vegetable side dishes to accompany your Brunswick stew:

• Corn – a common ingredient in Southern cooking and often found in Brunswick stew itself, corn can also be served as a simple side dish.
• Lima beans – also known as butter beans, these beans are another classic ingredient in Brunswick stew and make a great, complementary side dish.
• Okra – a popular vegetable in the South, okra can be served fried, sautéed, or boiled as a side dish.
• Celery – a crisp and refreshing celery stick can be a nice contrast to the rich stew.
• Potatoes – whether baked, boiled, or mashed, potatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in a variety of ways to accompany Brunswick stew.
• Coleslaw – a refreshing and crunchy side dish, coleslaw is made with shredded raw cabbage and a dressing, and is a traditional accompaniment to barbecue dishes.
• Salad – a fresh green salad is a healthy and light option to balance out the hearty stew.
• Fried apples – a sweet and savoury side dish, fried apples are a unique and tasty option.
• Green beans – boiled or steamed green beans can add a pop of colour and a healthy dose of vitamins to your meal.
• Pickles – a jar of crunchy, sour pickles can be a nice contrast to the rich flavours of the stew.

Meat

Brunswick stew is a Southern dish that features beans, vegetables, and meat in a tomato base. While early versions of the dish were made with squirrel, rabbit, and even opossum, today, it is more common to use pork, chicken, and beef.

If you're looking to add some meat to your Brunswick stew, here are some options:

Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a popular choice for Brunswick stew, as it adds a smoky flavour to the dish. You can use leftover pulled pork or prepare it specifically for the stew. If you're short on time, you can even use pre-made pulled pork from your local grocery store.

Chicken

Chicken, particularly shredded or chopped chicken thighs, is another common ingredient in Brunswick stew. It provides a good source of protein and can be easily shredded or chopped to add to the stew. Like pulled pork, you can use leftover chicken or prepare it specifically for this dish.

Beef

While less traditional, ground beef is another option for adding meat to your Brunswick stew. It can be a more affordable alternative to other meats and provides a similar texture and flavour when cooked in the stew.

Ham

If you're looking for a smokier flavour, consider adding ham to your Brunswick stew. You can use a ham bone or leftover ham from a previous meal. Simmering the ham bone in the stew will add a deep, smoky flavour to the dish.

Other Meats

In addition to the more common options, you can also get creative and use other types of meat in your Brunswick stew. For example, you could try using squirrel, rabbit, or other game meat if you're feeling adventurous. These were the traditional meats used in early versions of the dish.

Frequently asked questions