Brunswick Stew is a beloved Southern comfort food known for its thick, hearty texture and deep, smoky flavor. Traditionally slow-simmered and packed with tender shredded meats, vegetables, and a tomato-based broth, this classic stew is the kind of meal that brings people together around the table. It’s filling, satisfying, and perfect for cooler weather, game days, or feeding a hungry crowd.
This old-fashioned Brunswick Stew recipe combines shredded chicken and pulled pork with corn, lima beans, potatoes, and savory seasonings to create a rich, well-balanced dish. A touch of barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce adds subtle sweetness and depth, while smoked paprika gives it that signature Southern smokiness without overpowering the stew. Every spoonful is thick, comforting, and packed with flavor.
One of the best things about Brunswick Stew is how forgiving and flexible it is. It’s an excellent way to use leftover barbecue, rotisserie chicken, or slow-cooked meats, and it tastes even better after it’s had time to simmer. As the stew cooks low and slow, the flavors meld together beautifully, creating a dish that only improves with time.
Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a backyard gathering, or a make-ahead freezer meal, this Southern Brunswick Stew recipe is a reliable classic. Serve it with cornbread, crackers, or crusty bread for a complete meal that feels both nostalgic and deeply satisfying—true comfort food at its finest.
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Brunswick Stew – Southern-Style
Brunswick Stew is a rich, slow-simmered Southern classic made with tender shredded meat, tomatoes, lima beans, corn, and a lightly smoky, savory broth. Thick, comforting, and deeply flavorful, it’s a one-pot meal that only gets better with time.
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups cooked pulled pork (or beef)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup frozen or fresh corn
1 cup frozen lima beans
1 medium potato, peeled and diced small
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Add shredded chicken and pulled pork, stirring to coat with the onion mixture.
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Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well.
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Add corn, lima beans, diced potato, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
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Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Lightly mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot to thicken the stew. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.
Notes
Cooking Tips
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Low and slow wins: The longer it simmers, the better the flavor develops.
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Thickness control: If the stew gets too thick, add a splash of broth; too thin, simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes.
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Smoky boost: A few drops of liquid smoke or smoked meat drippings add authentic depth.
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Make ahead friendly: This stew tastes even better the next day.
Variations
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Traditional Georgia style: Use only chicken and pork, no beef.
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Virginia-style: Add a small amount of butter at the end for richness.
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Spicy Brunswick Stew: Increase cayenne or add chopped jalapeños.
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Slow cooker version: Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
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Leftover-friendly: Perfect for using rotisserie chicken or leftover BBQ meat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g




