Hearty Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew: Comfort in a Bowl!

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high) | Cost estimate: $10–15 | Serves: 6-8

Oh, honey, let me tell you about this Brunswick Stew. It’s like a warm hug from your grandma, even if your grandma never actually made Brunswick Stew! Seriously, it’s the kind of dish that just fixes everything. Bad day at work? Brunswick Stew. Kids driving you bonkers? Brunswick Stew. Feeling like the whole world is conspiring against you? You guessed it: Brunswick Stew! Plus, it’s so easy to throw in the slow cooker, you can practically make it with your eyes closed (though I don’t recommend that, for safety reasons, obviously!). It’s loaded with tender meat, sweet corn, tangy tomatoes, and just the right amount of smoky flavor. You absolutely need this in your life. Trust me, your family will thank you!

Why You’ll Love These

This Brunswick Stew recipe is a guaranteed winner! Here’s why:

• Effortless weeknight meal The slow cooker does all the hard work while you tackle homework and laundry piles.
• Packed with flavor From smoky bacon to sweet corn, every bite is an explosion of deliciousness.
• Budget-friendly This recipe stretches a few simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal.
• Great for leftovers It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping.
• Customizable Use whatever meat you have on hand – chicken, pork, beef, or even leftover smoked meat.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand!)
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• Hot sauce, to taste (optional, but highly recommended!)

How to Make

1. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the bacon grease in the skillet. Add the pork and chicken to the skillet and brown on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.Note: Don’t worry about cooking the meat all the way through at this point – you just want to get a nice sear on it for extra flavor!
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the browned meat, onions, and garlic to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, butter beans, sweet corn, chicken broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Slow Cook: Stir everything together to combine. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the meat is very tender and easily shreds.Note: Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker, so check the meat for tenderness after the minimum cooking time.
5. Shred the Meat: Use two forks to shred the pork and chicken directly in the slow cooker.
6. Stir in Bacon: Stir in the cooked bacon.
7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add hot sauce, if desired.
8. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream.

Tips & Tricks

Want to take your Brunswick Stew to the next level? Here are a few tips and tricks: