07/20/2026
🥣 Some foods don’t just fill your stomach… they bring back memories.
If you grew up in Virginia, there’s a good chance you’ve had a bowl of Brunswick Stew at a family gathering, church picnic, county fair, or backyard cookout.
But here’s something you may not know…
Virginia proudly claims Brunswick Stew was born right here.
The story goes back to 1828, when a camp cook named Jimmy Matthews prepared a hearty stew in Brunswick County using squirrel, onions, stale bread, butter, and seasonings to feed a hungry crowd. Over the years, the recipe evolved into the comforting dish we know today—filled with tender chicken, pulled pork, tomatoes, corn, lima beans, and plenty of slow-cooked flavor.
Every family seems to have their own version.
Some swear by extra barbecue.
Others insist it isn’t Brunswick Stew without lima beans.
And everyone believes their grandmother made the best pot.
That’s the beauty of this Virginia tradition.
It isn’t just about the recipe…
It’s about gathering around the table, sharing stories, and enjoying a meal that’s been bringing families together for generations.
So let’s settle a friendly Virginia debate…
What’s the one ingredient that makes Brunswick Stew truly authentic in your family? 🥣👇
Recipe:
Ingredients
* 2 tbsp butter
* 1 large sweet onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups chicken stock
* 2 cups crushed tomatoes
* 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
* 2 cups shredded smoked chicken
* 2 cups pulled pork BBQ
* 2 cups frozen sweet corn
* 2 cups frozen lima beans
* 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
* 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* ¼ cup smoky barbecue sauce
* 1 tsp black pepper
* ½ tsp cayenne (optional)
* 1 tsp kosher salt
* 1 tsp paprika
* 1 tbsp brown sugar
* Hot sauce to taste
Directions
1. Melt butter and sauté onion until soft.
2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add potatoes and chicken stock; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes.
5. Add chicken, pork, corn, and lima beans.
6. Add Worcestershire, barbecue sauce, paprika, pepper, salt, cayenne, and brown sugar.
7. Simmer gently for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning.
9. Serve with hot cornbread or saltine crackers.
