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5.0 from 156 votes

Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew

Learn to make the very best Old Fashioned Brunswick Stew recipe! This Georgia staple is an iconic southern barbecue side dish.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
4 hrs
Servings: 18 servings
Calories: 264 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 ham bone preferably from a smoked ham
  • 3 quarts water
  • 4 pound stewing hen
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or several sprigs fresh
  • 6 tems fresh parsley
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 2 small onions
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 medium potatoes cubed
  • 2 cups butterbeans (also called baby or "petite" lima beans)
  • 19 ounces canned whole kernel corn drained (two cans)
  • 18 ounces bottled sweet and smoky barbecue sauce recommend Kraft original
  • 1 cup catsup
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 red chili pepper chopped (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put the ham bone in a large cooking pot with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour. NOTE: If there is any usable cooked meat on the bone, remove it and return it to the broth in the pan. Discard the ha
  2. Add the chicken to the pot along with the bay leaves, thyme, parsley, celery, onions and peppercorns.
  3. Simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender – approximately 1 1/2 hours. When tender, set the chicken aside until cool enough to handle.
  4. Remove and discard the bones and skin from the chicken. Finely shred the chicken meat and return to the broth.
  5. Add the onion, butterbeans or baby lima beans, corn, potatoes, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, catsup, salt and red pepper flakes, if using. Add more water if needed to make a thick soupy stew.
  6. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender

Notes

  • Brunswick stew may be made with all pulled pork, all shredded chicken, or any combination of the two. I prefer all chicken.
  • The ham bone is optional and used only to provide a smoky background flavor for the stew. 
  • Keeps in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container for about 4 days. May be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 264kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 36mg (12%) Sodium 806mg (34%) Potassium 632mg (18%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 369IU (7%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 48mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 18servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 264

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 264kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Sodium 806mg 34%
Potassium 632mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 369IU 7%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 48mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.