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Brunswick Stew

 

My Version of Brunswick Stew

About this Recipe

The true origins of Brunswick stew are unknown. There are those who claim it was started in the lower part of Georgia. In fact, there is a 25 gallon black iron pot on a stone marker in Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Brunswick, GA, with an inscription that reads, “In this pot the first Brunswick Stew was made on St. Simon Isle July 2, 1898.” The counter argument, however, comes out of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where historical documents talk about a dish called Brunswick Stew being cooked in Virginia prior to the Civil War.
Regardless of where it began in history, my take on Brunswick Stew begins with smoking some meat.  My favorite is to smoke a Boston Butt for some great smokey pulled pork, but a nice thick chuck roast smoked to perfection works just as well.  You can even make it a true Brunswick stew by putting pulled pork, smoked chuck roast or brisket, and smoked chicken in the stew.
  • 2 Pounds Smoked Pork, Chicken, Beef, or all 3
  • 1/2 lb. bacon
  • 2 Cans Hatch Green chile peppers
  • 2 large sweet onions
  • 3-4 stalks celery
  • 2 Cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 can whole kernel corn
  • 8 oz. favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1-2 cups broth (beef or chicken)

Step 1

Cut the bacon into small cubes and cook them in the pot. While the bacon is cooking, dice up the onion and celery. Then, when the bacon is about 3/4 done, add a tablespoon of butter and sauté the onions, celery and peppers until the onions turn translucent.

Step 2

Add in the 2 cans of diced tomatoes, corn, and 1 cup of broth (save the other cup in case you need it later), and season with your favorite BBQ seasoning, using one that has some sugar in it.

Step 3

Add 8 ounces of your favorite BBQ sauce. I prefer something with a little vinegar in it that is sweet and tangy.

Step 4

Mix in your meat and turn your heat down to low and let this simmer for at least an hour. Be sure to stir occasionally so that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.

Step 5

Serve this to your friends and family. Some people enjoy a good cornbread or crackers with their stew.