0 from 30 votes
Virginia Brunswick Stew
A pride and joy of Virginia culture, this Brunswick stew recipe is a Southern classic!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 16 cups
Calories: 133 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 slices (about 5 ⅓ oz) thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 medium russet potatoes (about 1 lb.), peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 rotisserie chicken (about 3 lbs.), meat removed and chopped (about 4 cups)
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups fresh or frozen Lima beans
- 2 cups fresh or frozen sliced okra (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar (apple cider vinegar also works well)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until almost crisp, about 5 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 more minutes.
- Add chicken broth and potatoes; bring to a boil. Boil until potatoes begin to soften, about 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the tomato paste. Add chicken, diced tomatoes, corn, lima beans, okra (if using), brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Cover and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The stew should be very thick. If you'd like it even thicker, simmer the pot uncovered. To thin, add more broth or water. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh herbs if desired, and serve!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Brunswick stew typically has a sweet-and-sour flavor to the broth, which you can achieve by stirring in ketchup or BBQ sauce instead of the brown sugar. I use 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, which gives the broth a slightly sweet taste, without being too overpowering. For a less-sweet broth, reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon. You can always add more at the end, to taste.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
133kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
10mg
(3%)
Sodium
259mg
(11%)
Potassium
441mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
88IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 133
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 133kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 259mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 441mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 88IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.