Brunswick Stew Southern Hearty (Print version)
Rich, hearty Southern stew with tender meats, vegetables, and tangy tomato base
# 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
# Method:
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 about 5 minutes. Remove meat from pot and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add sliced sausage and cook until lightly browned, approximately 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, about 4 minutes.
04 - Return all browned meats to the pot. Stir in diced potatoes, corn, lima beans, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, chicken broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
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 pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the stew.
07 - Continue simmering uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, or until stew reaches desired consistency and vegetables are completely tender.
08 - Taste the stew and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. Ladle hot into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The three meat blend creates layers of flavor that deepen as it simmers
- Its even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep
- The tangy tomato base cuts through the richness for perfect balance
02 -
- Do not rush the initial browning step as those browned bits are crucial for depth
- The stew needs at least 30 minutes of uncovered simmering at the end to reach proper consistency
- It will taste too salty during cooking but balances out as it simmers
03 -
- Add a dash of liquid smoke if you want even more smoky depth
- Leftovers make an incredible topping for baked potatoes