History

Brunswick stew's origin is debated between Brunswick, Georgia (where a 1898 pot at the St Simons Island commemoration is celebrated) and Brunswick County, Virginia. The Georgia version is sweeter and tomato-led; Virginia's is leaner. Atlanta barbecue rooms like Fox Bros and Heirloom Market all run Brunswick stew alongside their pulled pork. The dish is the canonical side, not a starter; portion sizes scale with the plate.

Common allergens: None typical

Make it at home

Yield Serves 8Hands-on 45 minTotal 2 hr 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 500g cooked smoked pulled pork
  • 300g cooked shredded chicken thigh
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes (400g each)
  • 500ml chicken stock
  • 300g frozen corn
  • 300g frozen baby lima beans
  • 120ml ketchup
  • 60ml apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Hot sauce to taste

Method

  1. Saute onion in 2 tbsp oil in a large pot until translucent, about 6 minutes.
  2. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, paprika and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Stir in pulled pork and chicken. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add corn and lima beans. Simmer 30 more minutes until thickened.
  5. Adjust salt and hot sauce. Serve hot in deep bowls.

Tip from the editors. Use leftover barbecue pork for the right smoke flavour; rotisserie chicken substitutes for the chicken. Brunswick stew thickens overnight; add stock when reheating.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat brunswick stew

Brunswick stew in Atlanta

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q ★ 4.5

Texas-style BBQ$$candler-park

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta has run Texas-style smoked brisket and pork since 2007. Texas-fries (chili-cheese fries topped with brisket) the cult order.

Signature: Brisket, Texas-fries, Brunswick stew

Order: Sliced brisket plate with Brunswick stew and a side of Texas-fries.

Tip: Counter ordering; the Beltline-adjacent patio runs dog-friendly. Closed Mondays.

1238 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Book →

Heirloom Market BBQ ★ 4.6

Korean-Southern BBQ$$buckhead

Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta merges Korean and Southern BBQ since 2010: gochujang-marinated pulled pork, brisket and the Korean pork sandwich on a steamed bun.

Signature: Korean pork sandwich, Spicy Korean pork, Brisket

Order: The Spicy Korean Pork sandwich; the brisket Brunswick stew is the secondary play.

Tip: Cash and card. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Get there early; the brisket runs out by 14:00 most weekends.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 Book →

Community Q BBQ ★ 4.4

Southern BBQ$$decatur

Community Q BBQ in Decatur, Atlanta runs Southern-style smoked pork, brisket and ribs since 2010 with mac and cheese that became a local cult side.

Signature: Pulled pork, Mac and cheese, Brunswick stew

Order: Pulled pork plate with mac and cheese and Brunswick stew.

Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card. Family meals scale to feed six and travel well.

1361 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

More cities are in research. Want brunswick stew covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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