Pat Mercers Brunswick Stew
Pat Mercer’s Brunswick Stew is a hearty, flavorful Southern dish combining chicken, ground meat, vegetables, and a tangy tomato-based broth, perfect for family gatherings or comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 lb. chicken ⓘ
- 2 lb. ground beef or pork ⓘ
- 1 to 1.5 lb. potatoes ⓘ
- 2 to 3 medium onions ⓘ
- 2 (16 oz.) cans tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 (17 oz.) cans cream-style corn ⓘ
- 1 (17 oz.) can green peas ⓘ
- 1 (17 oz.) can lima beans ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) bottle ketchup ⓘ
- 1 cup Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 3/4 cup lemon juice ⓘ
- 4 tsp. Tabasco ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- black pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Stew the chicken in a large pot or pressure cooker until done.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add chopped onions and potatoes to the broth and cook until tender.
- Remove the chicken from the bones and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the boned chicken, browned ground beef or pork, canned tomatoes, cream-style corn, green peas, lima beans, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Tabasco, salt, and black pepper to the pot.
- Simmer the stew over low heat for about 2 to 3 hours until thickened.
- If the stew is too thick, thin it with chicken bouillon.
- If the stew is too thin, thicken with 2 to 3 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1/2 cup water or stew liquid.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the Worcestershire sauce overnight before cooking. You can substitute ground turkey for the beef or pork to lighten the dish. If you prefer fresh vegetables, use fresh peas and lima beans instead of canned. Adjust the spice level of the dish by increasing or decreasing the amount of Tabasco to suit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
This Brunswick stew is hearty and filling on its own but pairs beautifully with cornbread or crusty bread for a complete meal. A simple green salad or coleslaw makes a refreshing side dish. For a comforting twist, serve alongside the Oven Chicken Cordon Bleu for a satisfying dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the Brunswick stew to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to restore its consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pat Mercers Brunswick Stew contains roughly 1028 calories, with 28g protein, 152g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (130% of the Daily Value), iron (87% of the Daily Value), and potassium (66% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1597mg per serving (69% 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 Brunswick stew in advance?
Yes, Brunswick stew actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. You can prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for longer storage. Just be sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.
What can I use instead of chicken?
You can substitute the chicken with turkey or even a combination of different meats like smoked sausage for added depth. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the type of meat you choose to use, ensuring it is cooked through before serving.
How do I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version of Brunswick stew, omit the chicken and ground meat, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Load it up with your favorite vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini, and ensure to include hearty beans for protein.
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).