Mrs. Beck'S Brunswick Stew
Mrs. Beck's Brunswick Stew is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and rich flavors. Perfect for family gatherings or slow weekend dinners, its combination of tomatoes, corn, and beans creates a savory, satisfying meal with a rustic charm that warms the soul.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the hen, three medium onions, and half a head of cabbage together on warm overnight. Remove chicken bones and skin.
- Cut up the cooked ingredients and add the tomatoes, corn, cooked butter beans, margarine, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the corn is tender.
- Thicken the stew with mashed potatoes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or a splash of Worcestershire sauce. If you don't have butter beans, white beans or chickpeas can be great substitutes. To save time, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking a hen from scratch. Adjust the sugar to your taste; if you prefer a less sweet stew, start with 1/4 cup and add more as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mrs. Beck's Brunswick Stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or cornbread for a hearty meal. For a complete dinner, consider serving a side salad or a light vegetable dish, like a fresh Savory Vegetable Dip, to balance the richness of the stew.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm the stew on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture. For longer storage, freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mrs. Beck'S Brunswick Stew contains roughly 459 calories, with 11g protein, 83g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (239% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (194% of the Daily Value), and protein (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 553mg per serving (24% 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 make this stew vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the hen and using vegetable broth instead of water. You may also want to add more beans or lentils for protein and texture. Consider incorporating additional vegetables such as carrots or bell peppers for added flavor.
How can I thicken the stew without mashed potatoes?
If you prefer not to use mashed potatoes, try pureeing a portion of the stew in a blender and then stirring it back in. Alternatively, you can add a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with cold water) to the simmering stew to achieve the desired thickness. Adjust the amount to your preference.
What can I do with leftover stew?
Leftover stew can be repurposed into a delicious filling for a pot pie or served over rice for a quick meal. You can also blend it into a creamy soup by adding broth and cream. Don't forget to freeze any portion you won't use within a few days to enjoy later!
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).