Skip to Content

Brunswick Stew

Warm your body and soul with this hearty and comforting Brunswick stew recipe. This tomato based Southern stew is wonderfully flavorful, made with lots of fresh veggies, smoked meat and a tangy BBQ sauce.

Two bowls of Brunswick stew.


 

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Now that the weather is getting colder as we head into winter, I’m all about the comfort foods, and for me, that means soups, stews and chili.

This Brunswick stew recipe has been a family favorite for many years. Packed full of veggies and made with smoked pulled pork or chicken, this stew is not shy in the flavor department. Made with a tangy BBQ sauce, this is the perfect way to warm up after a long day.

Made in one pot on the stovetop, this is an effortless to make meal that everyone will love, and it’s a great way to utilize leftovers!

Be sure to try my Instant Pot Chili and Hearty Vegetable Soup for more winter warmers!

A spoon stirring the Brunswick stew in a pot.

How to make Brunswick stew

  • Gather your ingredients.
Ingredients to make the recipe.
  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Softening the onion and garlic.
  • Add remaining ingredients to the pot and stir. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer.
Rest of the stew ingredients added to the pot.
  • Reduce Heat and Simmer on medium-low for 30-40 minutes.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
Clos e up of the stew in a pot.

Where does Brunswick stew come from?

This is a traditional Southern stew that makes the most of what you have in your pantry. Traditionally made with small game like squirrel or rabbit, it’s tomato based and made with beans and veggies. I love it with leftover pulled pork and chicken works great too. You can easily adapt the ingredients to suit what you have to hand. BBQ sauce makes this stew stand out from the crowd.

Can you make it ahead of time?

This is a great make ahead stew and is freezer friendly too. Once made, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw frozen stew in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat on the stovetop on a medium heat, stirring til heated through.

What do you serve it with?

A big bowl of this Brunswick stew is so hearty and filling, but it’s great served alongside other Southern favorites like:

Brunswick stew on a ladle above the pot it was cooked in.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Your stew will taste similar to the bbq sauce you choose to use. I like to use a homemade vinegar based bbq sauce but your favorite store brand will work too.
  • You can easily add in different vegetables and beans to suit your tastes and to save you a shopping trip!
  • Stir the stew occasionally as it simmers so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

More Stews and Chilis

Two bowls of Brunswick stew.
Print Pin Save
4.86 from 7 votes

Brunswick Stew

Warm your body and soul with this hearty and comforting Brunswick stew recipe. This tomato based Southern stew is wonderfully flavorful, made with lots of fresh veggies, smoked meat and a tangy BBQ sauce.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword easy Brunswick stew recipe, how to make Brunswick stew, southern Brunswick stew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 681kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 14.5 oz can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • 1 cup frozen lima beans
  • 2 cups of chicken stock
  • 2 cups of smoked pulled pork or chicken
  • 1 1/2 cups vinegar bbq sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 3-5 minutes
  • Add remaining ingredients to the pot and stir. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer.
  • Reduce Heat and Simmer on medium-low for 30-40 minutes.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Your stew will taste similar to the bbq sauce you choose to use. I like to use a homemade vinegar based bbq sauce but your favorite store brand will work too.
  • You can easily add in different vegetables and beans to suit your tastes and to save you a shopping trip!
  • Stir the stew occasionally as it simmers so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 681kcal | Carbohydrates: 97g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 2190mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 3571IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 4mg
My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!
Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.
Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!
Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
4.86 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Robert Anthony Moore

Tuesday 2nd of August 2022

Wonderful and full flavored!

TYRONE E PARKER

Monday 1st of August 2022

I am leaning towards meat (protein) substitutes can I use some other protein instead of smoked meat. I will try smoked chicken if all else fails.

Wray

Wednesday 1st of December 2021

Hello Tanya, The biggest Pot I have in my humble kitchen is the Pot in my pressure Cooker. Can that be used to cook the stew on Saute mode? Also, can you use a pressure cooker to cook the stew as well? If so, what would my times to set to?

Tanya

Friday 3rd of December 2021

Hi Wray, you can use the sauté mode to cook the soup. Pressure cooking should work fine (I haven't tested it) but I would pressure cook it for about 10 minutes on high pressure (your pressure cooker may take a while to come to pressure based on the amount of liquid in the pot) and then naturally release for at least 10 minutes before quick releasing the remaining pressure.