Southern Style Brunswick Stew Recipe

This delicious recipe is filled with tender pulled pork, smoked chicken, and fresh vegetables, all simmered together in a tomato base with tangy barbecue sauce and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. So grab your Dutch oven, stew pot, or a slow cooker, and let’s make this Southern favorite together!

WATCH: How to Make Brunswick Stew

Why You’ll Love This Brunswick Stew Recipe

• Great way to use leftovers: This is the perfect recipe for repurposing leftover chicken, or pork from a cookout.
• Hearty and filling: A thick stew that eats like a meal, loaded with meat and veggies.
• Smoky and savory: If you love barbecue, then the combination of pulled pork, chicken, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire will give you all the southern comfort you’ll need.
• Great for Freezing: It’s a great meal prep soup since it freezes well, and can be reheated on busy weeknights. 

What Does Brunswick Stew Taste Like?

This Southern favorite is a cross between a hearty vegetable soup and a smoky BBQ dish. It’s rich and savory from the chicken stock and meats, with a touch of sweetness from the barbecue sauce. The baby lima beans, corn kernels, and potatoes make it wholesome and satisfying, while a hint of pepper that adds gentle warmth. Every spoonful has layers of tomato flavors, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and just the right balance of spice, smoke, and comfort.

Ingredients for Brunswick Stew

Below you will find a list of ingredients needed for this recipe. 

Meats (Traditional Mix)

• Pulled smoked chicken (1 lb): I love using smoked chicken. If you don’t have smoked chicken, you can order some from a local restaurant or use a rotisserie chicken when you’re short on time. 
• Pulled pork: Use your leftover BBQ for that slow-cooked flavor. This is a great way to repurpose meat from family gatherings or cookouts.

Vegetables & Base

• Salted butter: Adds richness and depth to the base. You can substitute bacon drippings for even more smoky flavor.
• Onion, chopped: Builds that savory foundation every great recipe needs.
• Garlic cloves, minced: Because garlic makes everything better.
• Fire roasted tomatoes: A little char adds intensity and a hint of sweetness.
• Chicken broth: You can also use chicken stock for a richer taste.
• Frozen corn: I use fresh corn. It adds a natural sweetness to the soup mixture.
• Frozen lima beans: These butter beans (or baby limas) make the stew creamy and thick.
• Kingsford Original All Purpose Seasoning (Bold & Smoky): Brings a savory smoky taste to the entire stew. If you cannot find this seasoning, you can use an all-purpose seasoning. 
• Potatoes: I recommend using small to medium size potatoes. They thicken the stew naturally and add nice texture. 
• Barbecue sauce: Choose your favorite. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s. 
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds that irresistible umami layer.
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Hot sauce (optional): A little heat goes a long way!

How to Cook Brunswick Stew

Below you will find step-by-step instructions with photos. You can make this stew in a Dutch oven, crock pot, or large pot. If you decide to use a slow cooker / crockpot, you will combine everything except the meats and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Add the meats during the last hour so they stay tender. Here’s I cook mine on the stovetop:

STEP 1: Peel and cube potatoes, chop onions and mince garlic. Then take a large dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.

STEP 2: Add fire roasted tomatoes (with juices), chicken broth, potatoes, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Kingsford seasoning. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.

STEP 3: Reduce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of your pot.

STEP 4: Stir in pulled chicken, pulled pork, corn, and lima beans. Continue simmering for another 20 minutes until the stew thickens. Afterwards, turn off heat, add salt, black pepper, and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew (Crockpot Method)

If you prefer a hands-off approach, Brunswick Stew is perfect for the slow cooker. The low and slow cooking process allows all of the flavors to meld together beautifully.

How to Make Brunswick Stew in a Crockpot

1. Add the butter, onion, garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, potatoes, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, corn, and lima beans to the slow cooker.
2. Stir everything together until combined.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
4. During the last hour of cooking, stir in the pulled pork and smoked chicken.
5. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed.
6. Serve warm with cornbread or crackers.

Brunswick Stew Variations and Substitutions

One of the reasons Brunswick Stew has remained popular for generations is that every family makes it a little differently:

Meat Variations

• Replace pulled pork with shredded chicken for a lighter version.
• Use smoked turkey after the holidays.
• Add ground beef for a heartier stew.
• Leftover barbecue brisket adds incredible smoky flavor.

Vegetable Variations

• Add green beans, carrots, or celery.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes.
• Fresh corn can be used when it’s in season.

Flavor Variations

• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.
• Stir in hot sauce for more heat.
• Use a smoky barbecue sauce for deeper flavor.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like spicy Brunswick stew.

What to Serve with Brunswick Stew

Brunswick Stew is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but these Southern side dishes make it even better:

• Cornbread Muffins
• Homemade Coleslaw
• Buttermilk Biscuits
• Southern Style Green Beans
• Fluffy White Rice

How to Store and Freeze Brunswick Stew

Let your stew cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Brunswick stew keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, and the flavor actually improves overnight! For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply remove from the freezer, place in the fridge and reheat over medium heat with a splash of broth.

More Soup and Stew Favorites from Elicit Folio

If you love cozy soup recipes, try these next:

• Seafood Stew
• Ham and Potato Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• French Onion Soup

FAQ

Recipe Card

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5 from 17 votes

Brunswick Stew

By: Ebony Robinson

This hearty Brunswick Stew is a true Southern favorite made with tender pulled pork, pulled chicken, and fresh vegetables simmered in a rich barbecue tomato base. It’s the perfect cozy meal for cold days, full of smoky flavor and even better the next day.

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 45 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr

ServesServes 8

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cups Pulled smoked chicken
• ▢ 2 cups Pulled bbq
• ▢ 4 tbsp Salted butter
• ▢ 1 Onion, chopped
• ▢ 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• ▢ 29 oz Fire roasted tomatoes, two 14.5 oz cans
• ▢ 4 cups Chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups Corn, Frozen
• ▢ 2 cups Lima beans, Frozen
• ▢ 1 tbsp Kinsford Original All Purpose Seasoning, Bold and smoky flavor
• ▢ 2 cups Potatoes, Diced
• ▢ 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, Sweet Baby Rays
• ▢ 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions 

• Chop your onion, garlic, and potatoes to get everything ready. In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Add the fire roasted tomatoes (with juices), chicken broth, potatoes, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Kingsford seasoning. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
• Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Stir in the pulled smoked chicken, pulled pork, corn, and lima beans. Continue simmering for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew is hearty and thickened. Add more broth if it gets too thick.
• Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using) to taste. Adjust BBQ sauce for sweetness/smoke or more Worcestershire for depth if desired. Ladle hot into bowls and enjoy!

Notes

• Flavor Development: Brunswick stew tastes even better after simmering and resting, allowing the smoky, savory flavors to deepen over time.
• Protein Variations: Chicken, pulled pork, or a combination of both can be used depending on your preference and traditional regional style.
• Vegetable Additions: Corn, lima beans, and potatoes all make hearty additions to this classic Southern stew.
• Adjusting Thickness: If the stew becomes too thick while simmering, stir in additional chicken broth until your desired consistency is reached.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve with cornbread, crackers, or coleslaw for a comforting Southern-style meal.
• Storage: Store leftover Brunswick stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
• Freezing: Brunswick stew freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before storing in freezer-safe containers.

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 28gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 923mgPotassium: 1000mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 719IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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If you make this Brunswick Stew recipe, I’d love to see it! 💛 Tag @ElicitFolio on Instagram or or leave a comment below to share how it turned out. Don’t forget to follow Elicit Folio on Pinterest for more favorite recipes and stew recipes that’ll warm your heart, especially this time of year when cozy bowls just feel right. Also, if you love my Southern classic recipes, let me know which ones you would like to see next!