Some say that there are as many different ways to make a burgoo as there are cooks who are preparing it. It is a spicy stew consisting of meat and vegetables, traditionally cooked outdoors in iron kettles over an open fire. The cooking would take upwards of twelve hours and the ingredients used in it were the ones that were available at the time.

Today, it is typically a combination of meats such as pork, chicken, or beef, and vegetables such as beans, corn, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes. Some claim it was brought to the United States from England in the late 19th century, while others say it was invented by a French chef named Gustave Jaubert.

The preparation of burgoo is a social, communal affair, and it is especially popular during the Kentucky Derby or at the civic fund-raisers in the American Midwest, since large crowds can be fed from one giant pot. A good burgoo should always be thick and flavorful due to its long cooking time, and it is ideally paired with a green salad or mashed potatoes on the side.