Brunswick Stew Southern Style (Printable)
Hearty Southern stew with tender meats, vegetables, and tangy tomato base for cozy gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
03 - 1/2 lb smoked sausage, sliced
→ Vegetables
04 - 2 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
05 - 2 cups frozen or fresh lima beans
06 - 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 1 large onion, chopped
08 - 1 green bell pepper, chopped
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
11 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
→ Liquids & Seasonings
12 - 4 cups chicken broth
13 - 1/4 cup ketchup
14 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
15 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
16 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
17 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
18 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
19 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
20 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
21 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Garnish
22 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Heat a splash of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and pork shoulder cubes. Brown on all sides for approximately 5 minutes. Remove meats from pot and set aside.
02 - Add sausage slices to the same pot. Cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside with the other meats.
03 - Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until vegetables are softened, approximately 4 minutes.
04 - Return all browned meats to the pot. Add potatoes, corn, lima beans, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, chicken broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir thoroughly to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
06 - Remove chicken thighs from the stew. Shred meat using two forks and return to the pot.
07 - Continue simmering uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, or until stew reaches desired thickness and vegetables are completely tender.
08 - Taste stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- This stew actually tastes better the next day, so it's perfect for making ahead when you've got people coming over.
- The combination of three meats creates layers of flavor that you just can't get from one protein alone.
02 -
- Don't rush the browning step at the beginning—those caramelized bits are what give the stew its deep, complex flavor.
- The stew needs time to reduce uncovered at the end, or it'll be too thin.
03 -
- If you're short on time, skip browning the meats separately and just throw everything in the pot together.
- A dash of liquid smoke mimics the traditional cooking method if you're not using smoked meats.