Kentucky Derby Burgoo Stew (Print Version)

Slow-simmered Southern burgoo with beef, pork, chicken and vegetables — hearty, crowd-ready and great for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
03 - 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into chunks

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
05 - 2 large onions, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
08 - 3 celery stalks, chopped
09 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
10 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 cup frozen lima beans
13 - 1 cup frozen corn kernels
14 - 1 (14.5 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes, with juices
15 - 3 cups beef or chicken stock
16 - 1 cup okra, sliced (fresh or frozen)

→ Spices & Pantry

17 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
18 - 2 bay leaves
19 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
20 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
21 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
22 - Hot sauce, to taste (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef, pork, and chicken in batches. Remove to a plate and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
03 - Return meats to the pot. Add potatoes, lima beans, corn, diced tomatoes (with juices), and stock. Stir well.
04 - Add Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
05 - Stir in okra and cook uncovered for an additional 30 minutes until meat is tender and stew is thickened.
06 - Adjust seasoning and add hot sauce to taste, if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This stew is practically impossible to mess up and the flavors deepen as it sits, making next-day leftovers a hidden treasure.
  • It feeds a crowd with ease and invites everyone to linger around the table a little longer.
02 -
  • If you skip the browning step, the stew loses that deep, meaty base and just tastes flat.
  • I once tossed in frozen okra too early and learned that overcooking makes it stringy—timing really matters.
03 -
  • Don’t stir too vigorously once the potatoes go in, or you’ll end up with mash instead of stew.
  • A muddle of meats (beef, pork, chicken, even a hint of game) is the heart and secret of a true Kentucky burgoo.
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