Bea Cauley'S Brunswick Stew
Bea Cauley's Brunswick Stew is a hearty, smoky dish blending tender chicken, pork, tomatoes, corn, and flavorful seasonings, perfect for family gatherings and comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken fryer ⓘ
- 4 pork chops or pork roast ⓘ
- garlic salt ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery ⓘ
- 1 to 2 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 can mashed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 can cream-style corn ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 cup catsup ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- 1 piece dry toast ⓘ
- 1 can baby lima beans (optional) ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Boil the whole chicken fryer, pork chops or roast, garlic salt, and celery together in a large stew pot filled with water.
- Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until the meat is very done and tender.
- Cool the meat and skim off any fat from the broth.
- Reserve the broth for later use.
- Remove the meat from the bones and shred it by hand or in a food processor.
- Place the shredded meat in a large stew pot on the stove and add the canned mashed tomatoes, cream-style corn, lemon juice, catsup, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder.
- Add as much of the reserved broth as desired for your preferred thickness.
- Stir often while simmering on the stove.
- Crumble one piece of dry toast into the stew to help thicken it.
- Optionally, add canned or fresh vegetables such as baby lima beans and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using smoked pork or adding a touch of liquid smoke. If you don't have fresh celery, celery salt can be a good substitute. To enhance the flavor, try adding fresh herbs like thyme or bay leaves during the simmering process. If you're short on time, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used instead of boiling a whole fryer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Brunswick stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of chili flakes for added heat. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside 'Fruity Rice' And Stewed French-Style Green Beans to create a comforting and hearty dining experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, warm the stew on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bea Cauley'S Brunswick Stew contains roughly 185 calories, with 8g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (27% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1059mg per serving (46% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other meats besides chicken and pork?
Absolutely! You can substitute beef or even turkey in this recipe, depending on your preference. Just ensure to adjust the cooking times accordingly, as different meats may require different cooking times to become tender.
Is it possible to make this stew vegetarian?
Yes, you can create a vegetarian version by using vegetable broth and omitting the meats. For protein, add beans like black beans or chickpeas, along with plenty of vegetables to maintain the stew's hearty texture and flavor.
How can I adjust the spice level of the stew?
To adjust the spice level, you can increase or decrease the amount of chili powder. For a milder flavor, omit it altogether, or for more heat, add some cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).