Southern Soul Food Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Brunswick Stew
Pulled pork and chicken simmered with corn, lima beans, and BBQ sauce into a thick Southern stew.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- One-pot
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: one-pot dinners
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Sweat the Onion: Melt the butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until soft and translucent.
- 2
Build the Base: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- 3
Add the Meats: Stir in the pulled pork and shredded chicken, breaking up any large clumps so the meat distributes evenly through the stew.
- 4
Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the smoky flavors meld and the broth reduce slightly.
- 5
Add the Vegetables: Stir in the corn and lima beans and continue simmering uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the beans are tender and the stew is thick enough to coat a spoon.
- 6
Season and Serve: Taste and adjust with salt, black pepper, and a splash more vinegar or barbecue sauce as needed. Serve hot with cornbread.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
64/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving795
Calories
65 g
Protein
62 g
Carbs
32 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Brunswick stew is a thick, smoky meat-and-vegetable stew claimed by both Brunswick County, Virginia and the town of Brunswick, Georgia, where it traditionally simmered for hours over open fires at political rallies and church gatherings. Once made with squirrel or rabbit, it evolved into a barbecue side built on leftover pulled pork and chicken, with corn and lima beans giving it its signature texture.
Listahan note
This version leans on already-cooked pulled pork and chicken so the stew comes together as a quick simmer rather than an all-day braise, letting the BBQ sauce tie the meats and vegetables together.
Technique cues
- Because the meats are already cooked, the simmer is about melding flavor and reducing slightly, not tenderizing, so 20 to 30 minutes at a low bubble is enough once everything is hot through.
- Add the corn and lima beans early so they absorb the smoky pork and sauce, but stop short of mush by keeping the heat gentle.
- BBQ sauce carries both sugar and acid here, so taste before adding any salt; the sauce and the cured pork often season the pot on their own.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Shred the pork and chicken while the broth and vegetables warm so everything hits the pot at once.
- Make-ahead
- Brunswick stew tastes better the next day, so cook it a day ahead and let the flavors settle overnight.
- Leftover move
- Spoon leftovers over a split baked potato or toast for an open-faced barbecue plate.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Soak the sticky BBQ-coated pot immediately with warm water so the reduced sugar lifts off easily.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Pulled pork
Smoky base meat
Purpose: Its rendered fat and smoke flavor become the backbone of the stew, doing the work a long braise normally would.
Handling: Roughly chop any large chunks so each spoonful gets pork without one piece dominating.
Adaptation: Smoked brisket or smoked turkey works; brisket adds richer fat, turkey makes it leaner and lighter.
Chicken
Secondary protein
Purpose: Shredded chicken lightens the stew and is the traditional partner to pork in the Georgia style.
Handling: Pull cooked chicken into bite-size shreds rather than cubes so it blends into the texture.
Adaptation: Rotisserie chicken meat is the easiest stand-in and adds a little extra seasoning.
Corn
Sweet starch
Purpose: Corn brings pops of sweetness that balance the smoke and tang and helps thicken the broth.
Handling: Use kernels cut from grilled cobs for a charred note, or drained canned corn for speed.
Adaptation: Frozen corn works straight from the bag; it stays a touch firmer than canned.
Lima beans
Body and starch
Purpose: Lima beans release starch that gives Brunswick stew its characteristic thick, almost creamy body.
Handling: If using dried, cook fully before adding; frozen baby limas can go straight in.
Adaptation: Butter beans are the closest swap and stay a little softer.
BBQ sauce
Seasoning and acid
Purpose: It is the single biggest flavor driver, supplying sweetness, vinegar tang, and smoke in one ingredient.
Handling: Stir in gradually and taste, since brands vary widely in sugar and salt.
Adaptation: A vinegar-forward Carolina-style sauce keeps the stew from turning too sweet.
Technique notes
- If the stew looks thin, mash some of the lima beans against the side of the pot to release starch and thicken it without flour.
- A splash of cider vinegar at the end re-sharpens the flavor after the long simmer dulls the tang.
- Build the smoke deliberately: if your pork is not smoked, a few drops of liquid smoke or a smoked paprika dusting fills the gap.
Ingredient swaps
- Weeknight shortcut
- Use rotisserie chicken and store-bought pulled pork so the only real cooking is the simmer.
- Lower-sodium direction
- Pick a low-sodium BBQ sauce and unsalted broth, then season at the end after the cured pork has had its say.
- Leaner direction
- Swap the pork for smoked turkey to cut the fat while keeping the smoky depth.
Serve alongside
- Buttermilk cornbread
- Saltine crackers
- Coleslaw
- White bread for sopping
- Iced sweet tea
- Cold light lager
- Lemonade
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days; the flavor deepens by day two.
- Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth if it has thickened too much.
- Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon for mashing beans
- Ladle
- Fine grater or zester for finishing
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Brunswick Stew to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
More Southern Soul Food recipes
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Caramel Cake
A tender Southern layer cake blanketed in glossy, old-fashioned cooked caramel frosting that sets to a fudgy finish.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sweet Tea
Quench your thirst with a frosty glass of authentic Southern sweet tea, perfectly brewed for smoothness and sweetness. Nothing cools down a hot summer day quite like it.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Smothered Pork Chops
Feast on pan-seared pork chops braised to fork-tender perfection, completely enveloped in a deeply caramelized, savory onion gravy. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for maximum comfort.