what is burgoo made of

This Kentucky burgoo recipe is the ultimate stew with a big variety of meats and vegetables simmered low and slow, popular for large gatherings and community events.

Were cooking up a huge pot of hearty stew in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. Care to join me?

Stew is always satisfying, filled with loads of meats and vegetables, very filling and warming, for both the body and the soul. Were heading to the American Midwest and a bit south for this particular recipe.

Burgoo is a stew popular in the American Midwest and south, particularly Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. Its a hearty mix of meats and vegetables simmered low and slow. Its often called Kentucky burgoo.

Its quite similar to other regional stews, Brunswick Stew from the south, Booya of the upper Midwest or U.S. Mulligan Stew.

Traditional burgoo is made with mutton and chicken, and earlier versions included all manner of seasonal meats, like venison, game birds, squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, possum and others, hence the nickname “Roadkill Soup” or “Game Meat Stew”.

Burgoo is popularly served at large community events, fundraisers and fests, like the Burgoo Festival in Utica, Illinois and other places. It is also served at the Kentucky Derby, especially on derby day.

The word “Burgoo” is said to be a mispronunciation of “bird stew” or possibly “barbecue”, though this is uncertain. Regardless, whatever you call it, its quite tasty!

A Kentucky Derby favorite, Kentucky burgoo stew, with pork, beef chuck, and chicken for meat, and corn, carrots, onion, celery, and lima beans. Perfect for Derby Day! Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• The Meats. Mutton is commonly used in traditional burgoo, though its harder to find. Youll mostly find burgoo recipes made with chicken, beef and pork. Any stew meat will work for this recipe, as will seasonal game meats, like squirrel, venison or game birds.
• The Vegetables. You can use many other vegetables to make burgoo. Common additions to what Ive used include green beans, cabbage and other root vegetables. Use your favorites.
• Seasonings. Youll note the only seasonings used to make traditional burgoo are salt and pepper. You can easily add in your favorites, like a spicy Cajun seasoning, chili powders or others.

Leftover burgoo will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Warm it on the stovetop or gently in the microwave to enjoy again.

You can also freeze it for 2-3 months.

Thats it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my burgoo recipe. Let me know if you make it. Id love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

How to Make Burgoo – the Recipe Method

Brown the Meats. Heat the olive oil in a very large pot (at least 8 quarts) to medium-high heat.

Season the pork, chicken and beef with salt and pepper. Sear them in batches in the pot a few minutes per side to brown them. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, green peppers, jalapenos, carrots, celery and okra. Cook for 5 minutes to soften.

Stir in the garlic and cook another minute until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Simmering the Burgoo. Add the chicken broth or stock, crushed tomatoes, bbq sauce (if using), hot sauce to taste and bay leaves.

Return the browned meats to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.

Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours to cook the meat and everything through.

Address the Meats. Remove the chicken and pull the meat from the bones. Discard the bones and return the tender meat to the pot. Break apart any larger chunks of meat with forks.

Potatoes and Extras. Add the potatoes, corn, lima beans, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are softened and cooked through.

Taste and Adjust. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper and hot sauce. Serve with extra hot sauce!

Boom! Done! Youve just made a big pot of burgoo! Looks wonderful, doesnt it? Incredibly hearty, very comforting. I love myself a nice bowl of burgoo. Just dont forget the hot sauce!

This dish is even better the next day!

Kentucky Burgoo (What is That?)

FAQ

What was burgoo originally made of?

What is the difference between burgoo and Brunswick stew?

What state is known for burgoo?

Where do people eat burgoo?

What is Burgoo Stew?

A hearty regional stew, burgoo is chock full of various meats and lots of vegetables simmered long and slow for hours. Invite your friends: It’s meant to feed a crowd! If you’ve ever spent time in and around Kentucky, especially during Derby time, there’s a chance you’ve tasted burgoo.

What is Burgoo made of?

Traditional Burgoo was made with the meat and vegetables that were available and this means in-season vegetables and any meat that could be caught or hunted for. From squirrel to possom or raccoon. Today most used is pork chicken and sometimes mutton. There are even mentions of using road kill to add to the pot.

What kind of meat do you use for Burgoo?

The rule of thumb when making Burgoo, is to use no less than three different meats. You’ll typically see pork, beef, and chicken used. In my recipe here, I opt for bacon, pork shoulder, and boneless/skinless chicken thighs. But you can swap meats in and out for the three I’ve listed, as that’s really the point here.

Who invented Burgoo?

Burgoo dates to before the Civil War and as legend has it, was invented by a French chef. Like a mulligan stew, it’s sort of a empty-the-fridge recipe. Burgoos typically have at least three different meats, and plenty of vegetables such as corn, okra, and lima beans.