Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew

Name: Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 15-ounce can fire roasted tomatoes (undrained); 4 cups chicken stock; 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s); 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 1/2 pounds smoked pulled pork or pulled chicken; 8-ounce package frozen corn; 8-ounce package frozen lima beans; salt and pepper to taste

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Jump to Recipe

Get ready for a taste of Southern comfort with our Brunswick stew recipe. This hearty, soul-warming dish is a true delight, packed with a medley of tender chicken, smoky pulled pork, and an abundance of vegetables.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

If you’re looking for a hearty, down-home dish that screams comfort and flavor, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re diving into the heart of Southern cuisine with our homemade Brunswick stew recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a newbie in the kitchen, this soul-warming stew is bound to make you a culinary superstar.

The Origins of Brunswick Stew

The exact origins of Brunswick stew are a subject of debate, with both Georgia and Virginia claiming its creation. Since I’m in Savannah not too far from the coastal town of Brunswick, Georgia, I’m siding with the Georgia theory! In fact, there is a pot commemorating the first Brunswick stew not too far south of here in St. Simons Island!

Regardless of where it came from, this stew has been warming hearts and tummies for generations. This is an authentic Georgia Brunswick stew recipe.

Why I love this recipe

This thick stew is a symphony of flavors, with the smokiness of the pulled pork, the tenderness of the chicken, and the sweetness of the barbecue sauce and veggies coming together in perfect harmony.

While many versions of Brunswick stew have both smoked pork and smoked chicken, you can use whatever you have on hand, it is easy to customize and change up. I like to make this with leftover pulled pork when I’ve smoked a pork butt but any smoked meat will do.

Ingredients

meat – pulled pork or pulled chicken
veggies – corn, lima beans or butter beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, onion
seasonings – garlic, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper
kitchen staples – chicken stock and butter

Tip: If you aren’t using smoked meat choose a barbecue sauce that has a smoky flavor. I usually use Sweet Baby Ray’s.

Step by step

In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté garlic and onions in the butter until soft.
Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer.
Simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Brunswick stew ingredients in pot before mixing

Variations

There are so many different variations of this recipe. As long as you get the smoky flavor and sweet barbecue sauce, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe.

add diced potatoes
use fresh vegetables instead of frozen
use rotisserie chicken instead of pulled chicken
add frozen okra
spice it up with a few dashes of hot sauce

ladle scooping brunswick stew out of a heavy pot

FAQS

How to thicken/thin Brunswick stew?

This is a thick and hearty soup so expect it to be thick. If you prefer to thin it you can add extra chicken broth. If the stew seems too thin allow to simmer longer until it thickens.

Can I use a different kind of meat?

This stew was originally made with game meat so you can easily substitute what you have on hand. Chopped leftover chicken breast, pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, even ground beef or ground pork can all work in a pinch. Just make sure the barbecue sauce you pick has a smoky flavor or use liquid smoke to get that signature smoky and sweet taste combination.

Serving suggestions

Brunswick stew is usually served as a barbecue side dish along with other staples like potato salad, mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, coleslaw, or Southern-style green beans but you can certainly enjoy it as a main dish as well.

spoon holding Brunswick stew over two bowls of the stew

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

This soup freezes well. I like to freeze leftover stew in small batches for easy lunches for future meal prep. Freeze in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in the microwave at half power or on the stovetop.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!