Brunswick Stew is a traditional southern soup, and according to John A. Burrison, originated in Brunswick County, Virginia (The New Georgia Encyclopedia 2005). Although the original soup contained squirrel and other small mammals, the recipe below uses beef and chicken.
In some southern communities, large wrought iron stew pots can often be found full of the stew as it simmers over an outdoor fire pit. Charities have stew sales to raise money, and men and women take turns stirring the soup through the night.
This recipe doesn’t require a fire pit or all-night attention, but it does need a large crock pot, and about thirty minutes of prep time the day before it is served.
The soup can simmer all day on the stove, but this method requires stirring throughout the day, and should only be cooked this way if someone will be home at all times. A Dutch Oven or Stock Pot works. Start the stew on medium heat and after it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low for the remainder of the cooking time. The minimum cooking time listed in the recipe below can be used for the stove-top method.
Crock Pot Recipe for Brunswick Stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skinless chicken breast
- 1 lb. beef roast
- 4 medium-sized potatoes
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 8 oz. frozen sliced carrots
- 8 oz. frozen peas
- 8 oz. frozen butter beans
- 8 oz. frozen green beans
- 8 oz. frozen corn
- 2 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 5 oz. Worcestershire Sauce
- 8 cups of water
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a medium-sized sauce pan and fill pan with water, and bring to boil over medium high heat.
- If using a whole roast, cut into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
- Place beef in another pan and fill with water, and bring to boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken and beef until no longer pink, time varies with thickness of cut.
- While chicken and beef cook, wash, peel, and cut potatoes into bite-size pieces.
- Place potatoes in sauce pan and cover with water.
- Add 1/2 tsp of salt to potatoes.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes.
- Drain potatoes.
- Drain chicken and beef and rinse with cold water.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Place potatoes, chicken, and beef into crock pot.
- Pour frozen vegetables into crock pot.
- Add remaining salt, the pepper, and garlic.
- Combine water and Worcestershire Sauce, mix well and pour into crock pot.
- Stir gently with wooden spoon.
- Turn crock pot to low-heat setting for overnight cooking.
- Stir in the morning and keep heat on low and allow to simmer until dinner time.
- Serve with crackers, bread, or corn bread.
Alternate Cooking Time
The cooking time can be altered to cook only during the day. The minimum cooking time should be no less than 7 hours. The crock pot setting should remain on high the entire time.
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Paula Wilder - Paula is a freelance writer and speaker. She also teaches developmental reading and English at Guilford Technical Community College. She ...
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