Burgoo

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Quick Bite

Burgoo is Kentucky’s thick, slow-simmered stew made with a mix of meats, vegetables, and deep savory flavor. It is campfire food, festival food, Derby food, and “feed the whole county” food all in one pot.

History

Burgoo is one of Kentucky’s great communal dishes, but its exact origin is debated. Some stories trace the word to older grain porridges or stews, while Kentucky lore often points to big outdoor kettles, hunting camps, political rallies, church picnics, and race-day gatherings.

One famous story credits French-born cook Gustave “Gus” Jaubert, who cooked for Confederate general John Hunt Morgan and later became known as the “Burgoo King.” Like many food legends, the details are fuzzy, but the image is perfect: a massive stew pot, whatever meats were available, and a crowd ready to eat.

Historically, burgoo could include game meats such as squirrel, rabbit, or wild birds, along with pork, beef, chicken, or mutton. Today, most versions use easier-to-find meats plus vegetables like corn, lima beans, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and okra.

The best burgoo is thick enough that a spoon can nearly stand up in it. It is not delicate soup. It is a hearty Kentucky stew built for long cooking, big gatherings, and second bowls.

Fun Facts

• Older burgoo recipes sometimes included wild game.
• Burgoo is often cooked in giant kettles for fundraisers and community events.
• The “right” recipe depends heavily on which Kentucky cook or county you ask.

Where to Try

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn Owensboro, Kentucky
A western Kentucky barbecue institution known for mutton, buffet plates, and burgoo.

Old Talbott Tavern Bardstown, Kentucky
A historic Kentucky tavern serving its own burgoo with multiple meats and vegetables.

Ole South Barbeque Owensboro, Kentucky
A casual Owensboro stop where burgoo fits right into the barbecue-and-buffet tradition.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Kentucky Burgoo Serves: 8–10 Prep: 25 minutes Cook: About 2 ½ hours Difficulty: Medium Style: Kentucky Stew

Ingredients

For the meats

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 1 pound pork shoulder, cut into chunks
• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the stew base

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken or beef stock
• 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounces
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• Hot sauce, to taste

For the vegetables

• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup lima beans
• 1 cup chopped cabbage
• 1 cup sliced okra, optional

Instructions

1. Heat the pot: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the meats: Brown the beef and pork in batches. Remove to a plate.
3. Cook the onion: Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic: Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Build the stew: Add the browned beef and pork back to the pot, along with the chicken, stock, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire, vinegar, brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Simmer: Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 ½ hours.
7. Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
8. Add vegetables: Add potatoes, carrots, corn, lima beans, cabbage, and okra.
9. Thicken: Simmer uncovered for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring often, until thick and stew-like.
10. Adjust and serve: Taste and add hot sauce, salt, or vinegar as needed.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, use a mix of meats, cook it low and slow, and let the stew get thick. For old-school Kentucky character, add mutton or game meat if available.

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