Choose from tender beef or something full of fresh veggies for the most satisfying cozy winter dinner ever. They’re quick enough to prep and pretty inexpensive to boot. Plus, they’re mostly hands-off, so you can leave them to simmer without a worry. No matter what you’re in the mood for dinner-wise, I know one of these stew recipes is calling your name.
1. Old-Fashioned Beef Stew
This old-fashioned beef stew is just like the one your mom and gramma used to make it. It has thick, juicy chunks of beef, a nice selection of flavorful herbs, and plenty of tender veggies. It’s the kind of old-school, stick-to-your-ribs meal that makes you want to loosen your belt after eating it. It’s also super easy to make, taking only 20 minutes of prep. After that, it’s just a matter of letting it simmer and occasionally dropping in to stir.
2. Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew
If you’ve never tried white wine chicken stew, you’re missing out. It’s a warm, comforting meal that’s dairy and gluten-free. Plus it’s packed with lots of chunky goodness. It has a rich herb and veggie flavor that you won’t find in a can. And because you’ll make it with chicken instead of beef, it’s less fatty and has fewer calories than other stews.
3. Cioppino
Looking for some real southern cooking? This Louisiana seafood-packed stew might just be the ticket. Of course, if seafood isn’t your thing, you won’t like it at all. There’s a lot of seafood in this recipe, including clam juice, mussels, littleneck clams, calamari, halibut, salmon, scallops, shrimp, and king crab legs. It has bold umami flavors in spades. Seafood haters need not apply.
4. Venison Stew
Venison is one of the most overlooked meats out there, at least in my experience. Not many people cook with it, which is a real shame because it’s so good. It isn’t gamey or wild; it’s tender, has a pleasant, flavorful taste, and in this stew, it practically falls apart in your mouth. All the veggies in this one are just a bonus; the venison is where it’s at.
5. Pork Stew With Root Vegetables
If you’re looking for a protein-heavy stew that’ll also help you carb up before something strenuous, check out this recipe for pork stew with root vegetables. It’s not ideal if you’re counting calories, but if you want something to keep you full and warm in six feet of snow, this stew is it.
6. Vegan Mushroom Stew
How do you make a vegan-friendly stew as hearty and thick as a meat-based one? Simple: add plenty of mushrooms, potatoes, and other veggies. One bite of this and you won’t believe it’s meat-free. Plus, it won’t leave you hungry after an hour as some vegan meals do. It’s thick, chunky, and flavorful, and it takes less than an hour to pull it together.
7. Hearty Vegetable Stew
This vegan option is great, too. It’s just as tasty and filling as the one above, but it includes even more veggies, herbs, and spices. It’s not quite as thick as the one above, but it’s chunkier. There’s also a light underlying sweetness, perhaps from the red wine or maybe from something else. Wherever it comes from, there’s no denying that it gives the stew a unique, delicious flavor.
8. Chickpea Stew
If you prefer your stews densely packed with smaller chunks (like chickpeas) instead of big pieces of diced veggies and beef, you’ll probably enjoy this chickpea stew. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and takes only 10 minutes of prep – plus another 25 to cook. It’s also low-fat and relatively healthy. The cayenne pepper gives it a kick, though, so be aware of that.
9. Vegetarian Sweet Potato Stew
Most of us have all tried (and love) sweet potato casserole and sweet potato pie, but what about sweet potato stew? That’s one many people haven’t tried. If you’re one of those people, now’s your chance. It’s bright and colorful and has a robust flavor that’s herby, earthy, and a tiny bit sweet all at once. I think you’ll really like it.
10. Hearty Potato Stew
If you’re picturing potato stew that’s like potato soup, you’ve got the wrong image in your mind. Potato soup is thick and brothy with few chunks. Potato stew, on the other hand, has a thinner, tomato-based broth, but there are tons of fat, flavorful potatoes floating in it. It’s another one of those stick-to-your-ribs comfort foods, and it also just happens to be gluten, dairy, and egg-free. Trust me, this vegan stew is hard to beat.
11. Brazilian Salmon Stew
Unlike the cioppino recipe above, you don’t have to be a massive fan of seafood to enjoy this Brazilian salmon stew. Of course, it has salmon in it, but it’s a mild-tasting fish. It’s also quite meaty, which makes it pretty darn hearty. When you pair it with cilantro, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and more, you almost can’t tell it’s there. So if you’re looking for a relatively light stew with garden-fresh ingredients, give it a try.
12. Guinness Beef Stew With Carrots
Here’s another great recipe for beef stew, but you’ll make this one with Guinness for a fun Irish twist. Like any good Guinness recipe, it’s deeply flavorful and full of chunky veggies. Even if you’re not a fan of dark beers, this is hard not to enjoy.
13. Cozy Turkey Stew
You’ll notice that the broth for this turkey stew is much thinner than some of the others. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t as flavorful! It’s also pleasantly filling. That said, it’s great with a big chunk of bread to mop up all that leftover goodness.
14. Hearty Lentil Stew
In some ways, lentil stew is much like chickpea stew. They’re both vegan-friendly, full of small chunky ingredients, and have plenty of tomato yumminess. They have their differences, too, of course. The spinach in this recipe adds bright splashes of color, and this one isn’t quite as spicy.
15. Cowboy Stew
If the phrase “cowboy stew” evokes images of hearty, rugged food with plenty of meat and veggies, then you’re right on track. It features three different kinds of meat: bacon, sausage, and ground beef. There are also baked beans, potatoes, sweet corn, and all sorts of other hearty veggies. Cowboy stew is just the kind of meal you need to keep your belly full on a long, cool night under the stars. Serve it with this spicy cornbread for a complete meal.
16. Cuban Instant Pot Beef Stew
Though this Cuban beef stew might look like any other, the unique blend of spices puts it a world apart! You’ll use cumin, oregano, white vinegar, paprika, and sherry to give it a spicy, rich, dark flavor that’ll knock your socks off.
17. Italian Beef Stew
Not loving the idea of all that spice? Try this delicious Italian beef stew instead. With its blend of garlic, pepper, red wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and other traditional “Italian” seasonings, this one will taste much more familiar. The main ingredients – beef, carrots, potatoes, etc. – are the same, but the spice mixture makes them taste entirely different. Italian beef stew is also a bit cheesier.
18. Irish Beef Stew
This hearty, earthy stew is similar to the Guinness beef stew above. But this one is slightly lighter, features a few different veggies, and goes much heavier on the potatoes. The red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar alter the flavor too. Still, if you’re looking for a hearty beef stew that’ll keep you full all night, either of these would be a great option.
19. Sausage Stew
This flavorful, filling stew features succulent slices of smoked sausage and plenty of herbs and veggies for a smoky, savory stew that tastes great alone, with a side salad or thick, dark bread. It’s not the most low-carb or low-calorie option on the list, but it has plenty of protein and lots of vitamins and minerals.
20. Mexican Stew (Chili Colorado)
This Mexican stew is primarily beef, beef, and more beef. There are also some dried chiles, tomatoes, broth, masa harina, onions, and a few spices. But really, this one is all about the beef. If you like your stews meaty and with very little broth, you’ll love this one.
21. Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew
This vegan-friendly stew features three different beans, veggies, garlic, rosemary, and more. It has a light taste but is wonderfully filling. And the best part is it takes only 40 minutes to make! It has a satisfying herby flavor, and its thicker consistency makes it taste incredible when served on top of mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta.
22. Black Bean Stew
One-pot black bean stew is a healthy, 30-minute meal you can make without much trouble (or mess!). It’s a simple stew with a warm, rich flavor, and it’s surprisingly good for you, too. It contains all kinds of antioxidants and vitamins, and it’s pretty high in fiber and protein. Top it with some sour cream and green onions for an even tastier dish.
23. Brunswick Stew
Brunswick stew is one of those things that’s hard to describe to someone who’s never had it. It’s like a smoky, slightly spicy vegetable soup with well-seasoned shredded chicken. It almost has a southwestern flair, but that doesn’t quite explain it right, either. One thing’s for sure: it’s one of the tastiest, most satisfying soups you can eat on a cold winter’s day.
24. Moroccan Chickpea Stew
This recipe for chickpea stew is similar to the one above, but there are some changes. For this one, you’ll also add kalamata olives, barberries, a little brown sugar, and more. The result is an earthy, somewhat sweet stew that’s thick and chunky with tons of contrasting and complementary flavors. If this sassy stew doesn’t get your taste buds hopping, nothing will.
25. Mediterranean Shrimp Stew
I never tried this particular stew as a child, but there’s still something about it that feels so warm and homey. Try it for yourself and I’m sure you’ll see what I mean. There are so many things going on in that pot, between the shrimp, onions, peppers, parsley, pine nuts, and a ton of rich Mediterranean spices. Some people compare it to jambalaya or gumbo, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think this shrimp stew is in a league all of its own.
26. Chicken and Kielbasa Winter Stew
If you want a hearty, comforting soup but don’t want to dig out a slew of ingredients, try this chicken and kielbasa winter stew. It’s so simple, you can have the whole thing ready and on the table in just an hour – from start to finish. That’s super quick for a stew. For that reason alone, this one is many people’s favorite.
27. Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Many people see the six-hour cook time on this stew recipe and give up before they begin. But I promise this Tuscan slow cooker chicken stew is probably one of the easiest you’ll make. It takes almost no time to prepare, and you’ll let the slow cooker do all the hard work for you. I love this stew because it’s like a thicker, tomato-based chicken soup with the perfect mix of spices. I love to eat it with a thick piece of crusty bread on the coldest nights of the year.
28. Butternut Squash Wild Rice Stew
If you’re looking for a truly unique fall meal, you’ve got to try this recipe for butternut squash wild rice stew. It’s unlike any other option on the list with a mild yet flavorful blend of wonderful wild rice and root veggies. It’s also impossibly creamy. There’s a richness about it that’ll make you want to lick the bowl when you’re done. The kids and the rest of the family will love it, too.
29. Turkish Cabbage Stew
Turkish cabbage stew is a filling, healthy dinner option that combines beef (or lamb), cabbage, tomato paste, onions, butter, beef broth, and various spices and herbs. Besides the cabbage, it almost tastes like a thick spaghetti sauce. It’s a bit unusual, but that’s not a bad thing at all in this case.
30. Vegan Italian White Bean and Pasta Stew
Most recipes like this (broth and pasta) are known as soups, not stews. But this white bean and pasta dish is an exception. It’s just as thick and chunky as any stew on the list, and it features tender noodles, lots of veggies and beans, and flavorful herbs. It’s definitely one of those dishes that doesn’t need meat to be filling or delicious. Click on a star to rate it!
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