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What To Serve With Brunswick Stew – 39 BEST Sides

If you’re wondering what to serve with your Brunswick stew, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for Brunswick stew.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best side dishes to serve with Brunswick stew are squash puppies, hot water cornbread, Greek yogurt coleslaw, and butter lettuce salad. You can also go with homemade buttermilk biscuits, whole fried okra, sauteed spinach, steamed green beans, ranch firecrackers, or air fryer baked potatoes. 

Psst… I also have a great article on how to reheat stew.

BBQ classics

Brunswick stew is typically served as a side dish at barbecue joints. So you can’t go wrong with other BBQ classics.

Mop up its delicious broth with some crispy hushpuppies or a slice of cornbread. 

Or pair it with a creamy coleslaw to offset its richness. 

Squash puppies

You’re missing out if you’ve never tried adding steamed squash to your hushpuppies!

It adds a delightful hint of sweetness to contrast the Brunswick stew’s meaty, savory flavors. 

And it makes the crispy hushpuppies extra moist and tender inside. 

Pro-tip: mash the steamed squash well so it’ll melt into the batter when fried. 

Why we love this recipe: these are a clever way to sneak more veggies into your meal. 

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Hot water cornbread

Unlike classic recipes, you won’t need to fire up the oven to whip up these cornbread patties.

Instead, the thick batter is cooked over the stovetop, just like pancakes. 

They’re made with self-raising cornmeal, but this recipe includes an easy DIY swap made with cornmeal and baking powder. 

Enjoy these alongside a piping hot bowl of Brunswick stew for the ultimate Southern comfort meal. 

Why we love this recipe: these are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 

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Greek yogurt coleslaw

Love creamy coleslaws but wish they were a bit healthier? Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for the dressing! 

It’s a simple swap, but Greek yogurt has fewer calories than mayo and will still give you a creamy bite. 

The Greek yogurt also gives the crisp veggies a tangy twist to help balance out the savory Brunswick stew. 

Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 58 calories. 

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Honey garlic oven-baked BBQ ribs

Brunswick stew is a classic BBQ side dish, so you can’t go wrong with serving it alongside these baked ribs. 

They take less time and effort to make than traditional smoked ribs, and you don’t need to leave the comfort of your kitchen. 

Psst… to get that classic sticky, charred exterior, slather the ribs with BBQ sauce and return them to the oven to broil. 

Why we love this recipe: everyone will be asking for second helpings. 

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Southern favorites

Brunswick stew is a classic Southern dish. 

I love serving it with buttermilk biscuits to soak up all the sauce, but you can also try fried okra to add a delectable crunch.  

Homemade buttermilk biscuits

These homemade buttermilk biscuits are way better than what you’d get from a can. 

They only take about 35 minutes to make and require ingredients you most likely already have sitting in your pantry.

And the trick to getting those perfect layers? Flattening and folding the biscuit dough like a letter.

Imagine mopping up your Brunswick stew’s delicious broth with these buttery, flaky biscuits? Yum! 

Why we love this recipe: these will make your kitchen smell amazing. 

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Whole fried okra

Stick with your Brunswick stew’s Southern roots and pair it with a fried okra platter.

Traditional recipes call for slicing the okra into rounds, but did you know cutting okra makes them slimy? That’s why I prefer coating and frying them whole. 

Plus, it’s less work – win-win! 

Why we love this recipe: these are highly addictive. 

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Starches

Want to enjoy your Brunswick stew as a complete meal? Beef it up with your favorite starchy side!

Steamed rice will do the trick nicely, but you can also go with roasted potatoes or your favorite crackers. 

Cilantro lime rice

Rice isn’t a common accompaniment for Brunswick stew, but it’s a must-try combo!

It’s an excellent starchy base that’ll soak up all the savory goodness from your stew’s delicious broth.

Plus, the combination of lime juice, zest, and fresh cilantro adds a refreshingly zesty twist to contrast the richness of your stew. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s an easy one-pot dish. 

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Ranch firecrackers

These crackers are tossed in a mixture of ranch seasoning, red pepper flakes, and oil, then baked, giving them a fiery punch that’ll perk up your taste buds. 

Use these as a crunchy topper for your Brunswick stew, or dip them in the broth for the perfect bite. 

YUM.

Why we love this recipe: these crackers will last a while when stored properly. 

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Air fryer baked potato

Skip adding the spuds to your Brunswick stew and turn them into baked potatoes instead!

Pro tip: I like making them in the air fryer because it reduces cooking time and you get super crispy skins.

Spoon your stew over these buttery potatoes for a quick and easy midweek dinner.

Why we love this recipe: it involves zero hands-on cooking. 

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Vegetables and salads

Brunswick stew is a rich dish, so pairing it with a light veggie side or salad is an excellent idea to balance out the meal. 

A simple cucumber salad or steamed veggies are easy options you can whip up in no time! 

Butter lettuce salad

Add a fresh bite to your Brunswick stew with this butter lettuce salad. 

Aside from the tender lettuce, it’s also packed with crisp radish slices, chives,  and creamy avocado slices, all tossed in a bright and zippy lemon dijon dressing. 

It’s a clean and simple salad, perfect for a dish as meaty as your Brunswick stew. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s great for lots of diets like keto, Whole30, paleo, etc. 

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Sauteed spinach

Give your Brunswick stew an extra nourishing boost with a helping of sauteed spinach.

Additions like soy sauce, caramelized onions, and garlic add a deep, savory flavor that makes your standard spinach leaves tastier. 

Psst… for best results, use fresh spinach. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s a low-carb side dish. 

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Cucumber salad

Want a simpler salad with your Brunswick stew? Try this cucumber salad! 

It features thinly-sliced cucumbers and onions marinated in a tangy vinegar dressing and fresh dill, making for the perfect palate cleanser for rich dishes like Brunswick stew. 

Getting uniformly thin slices of cucumber is a must for this salad, so using a mandoline slicer will give you the best results. 

Why we love this recipe: it can last for a week in the fridge. 

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Steamed green beans

These steamed green beans are a great option if you want more veg with your Brunswick stew. 

They’re ready in no time, plus they require little prep work – just give them a quick wash, cut off the stems, and you’re good to go. 

This recipe only requires a dash of salt and pepper for flavor, but I like adding a spritz of lemon for added brightness. 

Why we love this recipe: these are great for meal prep. 

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The best side dishes for Brunswick stew

  • Squash puppies
  • Hot water cornbread
  • Greek yogurt coleslaw
  • Honey garlic oven-baked BBQ ribs
  • Homemade buttermilk biscuits
  • Whole-fried okra
  • Cilantro lime rice
  • Ranch firecrackers
  • Air fryer baked potato
  • Butter lettuce salad
  • Sauteed spinach
  • Cucumber salad
  • Steamed green beans

What To Serve With Brunswick Stew (39 Ideas)

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your Brunswick stew.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brunswick stew side dishes, what to serve with brunswick stew
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 132kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion squash puppies
  • 1 portion steamed green beans
  • 1 portion ranch fire crackers
  • 1 portion whole fried okra
  • 1 portion cilantro lime rice
  • 1 portion cucumber salad … and more

Instructions

  • Prepare your Brunswick stew according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: squash puppies, hot water cornbread, greek yogurt coleslaw, honey garlic oven-baked bbq ribs, homemade buttermilk biscuits, whole-fried okra, cilantro lime rice, ranch firecrackers, air fryer baked potato, butter lettuce salad, sauteed spinach, cucumber salad, and steamed green beans.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 132kcal

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