Hearty Pioneer Woman Brunswick Stew Recipe

Brunswick stew represents a Southern comfort classic that warms souls and satisfies hungry crowds with its rich, multilayered flavors.

Regional traditions blend seamlessly in this robust one-pot wonder that combines multiple proteins for maximum deliciousness.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary through patient simmering.

Each spoonful tells a story of culinary heritage and family gatherings around steaming pots.

Meat lovers will appreciate the substantial protein combination that makes this dish supremely filling.

Slow-cooking techniques unlock deep, complex tastes that dance across your palate with unexpected depth.

Tips for Stew That’s Full of Flavor

• Blend for Smoothness: Pulse canned tomatoes in a blender to create a silky texture that distributes more evenly throughout the stew.
• Swap Corn Creatively: Puree standard canned corn with heavy cream to mimic the richness of cream-style corn when unavailable.
• Elevate Chicken Selection: Grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to inject instant depth and save precious cooking time.
• Upgrade Meat Quality: Select grass-fed beef and organic ground pork for superior flavor and nutritional profile in your Brunswick stew.
• Customize Consistency: Adjust liquid levels by adding broth gradually to achieve your desired stew thickness and prevent over-dilution.

Smart Storage Tips for Brunswick Stew Leftovers

• Flash Chill: Speed-cool the stew by spreading it in a shallow, wide container to release heat quickly. This method prevents bacterial growth and maintains optimal flavor intensity. Divide larger batches into smaller portions for faster cooling.
• Vacuum Seal: Pack leftovers in vacuum-sealed bags to extend shelf life dramatically. Removing air prevents freezer burn and locks in freshness for up to 6 months.
• Smart Portioning: Divide stew into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use silicone muffin trays or small containers to create perfect single-serving portions. Grab and reheat exactly what you need without defrosting the entire batch.

Variations to Make Brunswick Stew Your Own

• Southern Pulled Pork Edition: Replace ground meats with tender pulled pork, adding smoky paprika and increasing barbecue sauce for deeper southern flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Kick: Incorporate andouille sausage, swap hot sauce for cayenne pepper, add diced jalapeños, and include Cajun seasoning blend for extra heat and complexity.
• Lean Protein Swap: Substitute ground meats with ground turkey or chicken, reduce fat content while maintaining rich stew texture and traditional Brunswick stew essence.
• Vegetarian Hearty Version: Replace meats with three different beans (black, kidney, pinto), add extra vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms, use vegetable broth instead of meat juices, and increase tomato base for robust flavor.

A Warm End to Your Brunswick Stew Bowl

Brunswick stew whispers southern comfort with each hearty spoonful.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe transforms humble ingredients into a culinary celebration of southern traditions.

Robust meats mingle with vibrant vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across palates.

Regional pride simmers within this classic dish, telling stories of community gatherings and family recipes passed through generations.

Layers of complexity emerge from slow cooking, allowing each ingredient to contribute its unique character to the stew.

Readers can savor this masterpiece, share the recipe with loved ones, sprinkle comments below, and spread southern hospitality through every delicious bite.

Why Brunswick Stew Is a Southern Favorite

• Unleash Hearty Comfort: This Brunswick stew delivers deep, rich flavors that wrap you in pure culinary warmth with its perfectly balanced meat medley and slow-cooked goodness.
• Effortless One-Pot Wonder: Designed for minimal kitchen effort, this recipe requires simple steps, minimal cleanup, and transforms basic ingredients into a spectacular meal without complicated techniques.
• Flavor-Packed Protein Powerhouse: Combining ground pork, ground beef, and shredded chicken creates a robust protein profile that satisfies hunger while delivering incredible taste complexity through multiple meat textures.
• Southern Comfort Style Cooking: This stew represents traditional Southern cooking methods – slow simmering allows ingredients to meld together, developing deep, concentrated flavors that feel like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.

What Goes Into This Rich, Meaty Stew

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Shredded Chicken: Premium meats that create a rich, hearty protein foundation with deep flavor complexity.

• Onions, Celery, Green Bell Pepper: Classic vegetables that provide a savory base and aromatic depth to the stew's overall flavor profile.
• Whole Green Bell Pepper: Adds subtle vegetable sweetness and can be chopped or removed based on preference.

• Olive Oil: Essential for initial sautéing and creating a smooth cooking base.
• Ketchup, Barbecue Sauce, Hot Sauce: Tangy and spicy condiments that build complex flavor layers in the stew.
• Chopped Tomatoes: Provide acidity and moisture to the stew's texture.
• Cream-Style Corn: Adds natural sweetness and helps thicken the stew's consistency.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings for enhancing and balancing the overall taste.

How to Make Classic Brunswick Stew from Scratch

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat, creating a perfect base for your flavor-packed stew.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• 1 chopped onion
• 2 stalks of chopped celery

Cook for 5 minutes until onions become translucent and release their sweet aroma.

Step 3: Brown the Meat Mixture

• Ground pork
• Ground beef

Stir and cook for 10 minutes until the meat is completely browned and no longer shows any pink color. Keep all the delicious fat for extra flavor!

Step 4: Build the Stew Foundation

• Shredded chicken
• 1 can chopped tomatoes with juice
• Ketchup
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 whole green bell pepper

Stir everything together to create a rich, complex base.

Step 5: Let the Stew Simmer Slowly

Reduce heat to low and let the stew gently bubble for 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Add Creamy Corn Goodness

Stir in 1 can of cream-style corn and continue simmering for another hour until the stew reaches a thick, hearty consistency.

Step 7: Final Pepper Decision

• Remove the whole green pepper
• Chop it into small pieces and mix back into the stew
• Discard the pepper entirely

Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Brunswick stew!

Pioneer Woman Brunswick Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets hearty tradition in this Brunswick stew packed with tender pulled pork, smoky chicken, and a rich, tangy sauce. Generations of home cooks have perfected this satisfying one-pot meal that brings warmth and depth to your family table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 ½ pounds ground pork
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 (3 pounds) whole cooked chicken, deboned and shredded

Vegetables:

• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 3 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) cans of whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• ½ cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 (14.75 ounces / 418 grams) cans cream style corn

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously sized pot and warm 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil over medium-low heat, creating a smooth cooking surface.
2. Gently introduce finely diced onions and crisp celery into the heated oil, allowing them to soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Integrate ground pork and ground beef into the vegetable mixture, breaking down the proteins with consistent stirring until the meat transforms from pink to a rich, uniform brown color, which typically requires about 10 minutes of attentive cooking.
4. Enhance the developing stew by folding in tender shredded chicken, ripe chopped tomatoes with their natural juices, tangy ketchup, robust barbecue sauce, and a splash of fiery hot sauce, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Introduce a whole green bell pepper to the simmering mixture, which will infuse additional depth and complexity to the dish’s flavor profile.
6. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting, allowing the stew to gently simmer and concentrate its flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and promote even thickness over approximately 2 hours.
7. When the stew reaches a significantly reduced consistency, incorporate creamy corn, continuing the slow cooking process for an additional hour until the desired texture is achieved.
8. Make a final decision about the green pepper: either remove and finely chop it to reintegrate into the stew or discard it completely based on personal preference.

Notes

• Leftovers become more flavorful as ingredients mingle overnight, making this stew a perfect make-ahead meal.
• Cornbread or crusty bread serves as an ideal companion to soak up the rich, savory sauce.
• Customize heat levels with a splash of hot sauce, tailoring the stew to personal spice preferences.
• Combining ground and shredded meats creates an exciting texture that keeps every bite interesting.
• Slow cooking transforms tough meat cuts into tender, mouthwatering morsels that practically melt on your tongue.
• Southern hunters originally developed this hearty one-pot wonder in Georgia and Virginia’s rural kitchens.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 570 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg