What does ragout mean?
A ragout is a rich, slow-cooked stew containing meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or several of these together. Its ingredients are usually cut into pieces and simmered in liquid with herbs, spices, and often wine. The name suggests a dish generous in both substance and flavour: the long cooking time allows meat to become tender while the liquid develops a concentrated, savoury depth. Although related to the Italian-American “ragu,” a ragout is more specifically a stew rather than merely a sauce. In British and Australian English, the term has a somewhat traditional or old-fashioned tone and may appear in recipes for beef, lamb, poultry, or game. In American English it is understood but less common in everyday speech, with “stew” serving as the usual neutral alternative. The word is also occasionally used more broadly for a mixture of foods cooked together.
nounA rich stew of meat, poultry, or fish cooked slowly with vegetables, herbs, and spices. The term may also refer more broadly to a well-seasoned mixture of diced ingredients cooked in liquid.
- A richly seasoned stew made by slowly cooking meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, or a mixture of these.
"The ragout simmered slowly all afternoon, filling the house with the scent of herbs and braised meat."
"She served a mushroom ragout with thick slices of sourdough bread."
"The recipe combines the traditional ragout with white beans and fresh rosemary."
The plural is regular and takes the ending -s.
"Several seasonal ragouts appeared on the menu."
A ragout turns humble ingredients into comfort food by giving them time, liquid, and a rich blend of seasoning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ragout come from?
The English word entered use in the early 19th century from French ragoût, meaning a stew or a dish intended to stimulate the appetite. French ragoût derives from rager, “to rouse” or “make more appetizing,” and the English spelling reflects the simplified form ragout. The vocabulary ultimately belongs to a family of Romance and Germanic words connected with the idea of agitation or heightened feeling, including English rage and rager.
How ragout is actually used
The word is more characteristic of British and Australian English than of everyday American English. In American usage, “stew” is generally the more natural term, although the spelling without the accent is standard in both major varieties.
Easily confused with ragout
A ragout is a stew, whereas a ragu is typically a sauce or a ragout-like meat preparation served over pasta.