History

Burgoo is a Kentucky and Tennessee community-pot stew, served at political rallies, church suppers and the Kentucky Derby Infield since the early 1800s. The dish traditionally combined whatever proteins were on hand (chicken, beef, pork) with field vegetables in a giant cast-iron kettle stirred with paddles. Modern Louisville versions land on a blend of meats with corn, lima beans and potatoes. Burgoo turns up at Kentucky BBQ joints and Derby Festival events as a side or main alongside the pulled-pork plates.

Make it at home

Yield Serves 8Hands-on 40 minTotal 4 hrDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 500g mutton or lamb shoulder, cubed
  • 500g beef stew chunks
  • 500g bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 litre beef stock
  • 1 litre chicken stock
  • 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
  • 500g potatoes, cubed
  • 300g frozen lima beans
  • 300g corn kernels
  • 200g green cabbage, shredded
  • 60ml Worcestershire sauce
  • 30ml hot sauce
  • Kosher salt, black pepper, bay leaves

Method

  1. In a large pot, brown the mutton, beef and chicken in batches over high heat. Set aside.
  2. Sauté the onions and garlic in the pot for 5 minutes until soft.
  3. Return all meats to the pot. Add both stocks, tomatoes, Worcestershire, hot sauce and bay leaves.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cook 2 hours, partially covered, until meats are tender.
  5. Remove the chicken thighs, pull the meat from the bones and return to the pot.
  6. Add the potatoes, lima beans, corn and cabbage. Simmer 45 more minutes until the potatoes break down.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Burgoo should be thick like a stew, not soupy.
  8. Serve in deep bowls with cornbread on the side.

Tip from the editors. Burgoo is better on day two; the flavours marry overnight. Don't skip the mutton; that's what makes it Kentucky burgoo rather than generic stew.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat burgoo

Burgoo in Louisville

Mark's Feed Store Bar-B-Q ★ 4.0

Mark's Feed Store on Shelbyville Road has hickory-smoked Kentucky BBQ since 1988, the Saint Matthews counter where pulled pork plate with sides comes in under $18.

Try: Pulled pork plate with two sides

Tip: Walk-in counter. Order pulled pork, brisket or chicken with two sides for the cheapest sit-down meal.

11422 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40243

More cities are in research. Want burgoo covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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