When the weather gets cold, it’s the perfect time to cook a batch of stew. Add some of these comforting stew recipes to your meal plan this winter!
One of my favorite meals to cook during the cold winter months is stew. It’s so easy to just chop the ingredients, throw it all into a pot, and let it go!
Now that we have a pressure cooker, it’s easier to make stew than before since it’s so much faster. But whether you’re cooking on the stovetop, in a pressure cooker, or using a crockpot, you’ll find some wonderfully comforting stew recipes here.
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What’s the difference between a soup and a stew?
Soups and stews are typically made of the same combination of ingredients (meat, vegetables, and liquid), soup has a thinner broth. Stews tend to be heartier, with chunky pieces of food, and a lot less liquid.
What’s the best way to cook a stew?
Traditionally, stews are made on the stove top in a heavy duty stockpot. They cook on low for hours, make the whole house smell fantastic!
Stove top stew recipes also cook well in a crockpot or slow cooker. This allows you to leave the house and not mind the stove top (yay!).
With the popularity of pressure cookers, it is so much faster to make stew for a busy weeknight! Meats cooked in the pressure cooker are so tender, and it all cooks up in minutes compared to hours on the stovetop.
So what’s the best way? That depends on what time you have for cooking. Most recipes transfer well between devices. Just remember that the pressure cooker or Instant Pot does not need as much liquid, so you should reduce it from the stovetop recipe.
How to thicken a stew?
If a recipe doesn’t already call for a thickener, you have a few options for making your stew’s broth more hearty. This is the last step, after all the meat and vegetables have cooked.
Just take a few tablespoons of cornstarch, thoroughly mix in a small bowl with a little water, and stir into the broth while it boils. If you’re eating gluten-free, check to be sure the cornstarch is GF, or just use xanthan gum instead.
What are some sides to serve with stew?
I think of most stews as a full meal, since you have protein, vegetables and a carb. But when I’m trying to stretch a meal for hungry teens, I like to serve a green salad and rolls on the side.
If you’re eating low-carb, choose a stew that doesn’t include the carbs in the recipe. Then, you can serve it over rice in a bowl. I do this often so that my husband and I can measure our carbs while the kids load up.
If you prefer soups…
I have many family-friendly soup recipes as well:
- Ginger Chicken Soup – a more flavorful variety of traditional chicken soup
- Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup – a vegan option that is very frugal
- – a creamy, chunky bowl of comfort
- Sausage Lentil Soup – using delicous chicken sausage
- Vegetable Ground Beef Soup – like little meatballs!
35 Comforting Stew Recipes to Make This Winter
Below are the best stew recipes you can try this winter! Perfect for the cold season.
Mexican Beef Stew Recipe
Our spicy beef stew recipe is mild enough for kids but a new take on traditional beef stew.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Photo Credit:moneywisemoms.com
If you've never tried cooking stew, this simple Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe will make it easy for you. We make this crockpot stew often during the winter months.
Super Easy Fish Stew Recipe
Photo Credit:www.faithfilledfoodformoms.com
Do you all love fish? Do you hate fish? Well I’ve got a super easy Fish Stew recipe that will knock your socks off and if you are not so fond of fish, you soon will be!
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Stew Recipe
Photo Credit:www.tammileetips.com
Delicious vegetarian Crockpot Sweet Potato Stew made with grated sweet potatoes, onions, celery, and vegetable broth. This sweet potato stew is super easy to make and tastes amazing.
Quick And Easy Instant Pot Venison Stew
Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com
This quick and easy Instant Pot Venison Stew is the perfect comforting and filling dinner that requires minimal prep. This rich stew is full of gorgeous flavors with a secret ingredient that makes it all come together.
Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe
Photo Credit:centslessdeals.com
This Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe is a quick and hearty meal your family will love. Tender meat, creamy potatoes, and the rich thick broth are so delicious!
German Onion Soup
Photo Credit:www.kudoskitchenbyrenee.com
German Onion Soup has plenty of caramelized onions, beer, bratwurst, and pretzel roll croutons.
Slow Cooker Moroccan Inspired Chicken Stew
Photo Credit:www.livinglou.com
Make slow cooker Moroccan inspired chicken stew for dinner with this easy recipe with chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and carrots cooked all in the crockpot.
Campfire Stew - 4 Ways
Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com
Campfire Stew is a hearty, flavourful and meaty stew that can be easily made on a campfire or in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. Learn how to make Campfire Stew 4 ways in this post.
Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Farro
Photo Credit:www.cookincanuck.com
Dig into this Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Farro for a dose of whole grains and lean protein. Stovetop instructions included.
Lamb Stew
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
Lamb Stew is a delicious and satisfying recipe with tender chunks of lamb, potatoes and carrots. Springtime is the time to bust out all those spring holiday traditions and nothing says tradition like an Irish Stew.
Crock Pot Guinness Chicken Stew
Photo Credit:dizzybusyandhungry.com
This Crock Pot Guinness Chicken Stew is a new twist on a traditional favorite. If you’re looking for a delicious St. Patrick’s Day dinner that is easy and tasty, but not the typical Guinness beef stew, you’ve found your solution.
Instant Pot Pork Cataplana
Photo Credit:recipethis.com
Instant Pot Pork Cataplana. Served throughout the Algarve to both tourists and locals as an alternative to the traditional seafood cataplana. Loaded with red peppers, tomatoes, piri piri seasoning and tender chunks of pork.
Lazy Sunday Pork & Vegetable Stew
Photo Credit:www.mashupmom.com
Packed with potatoes, veggies, and tender chunks of pork, this flavor-packed Lazy Sunday Pork & Vegetable Stew is just the right comfort food for a cooler fall or winter’s day.
Italian beef stew Archives
Photo Credit:www.dearcreatives.com
Today I’m sharing an easy recipe for Italian Beef Stew. It’s one of the easy crockpot recipes I enjoy making.
Beef and Butternut Squash Stew
Photo Credit:www.deliciousmeetshealthy.com
Beef and butternut squash stew is a quick and easy winter comfort food – perfect for all you butternut squash lovers out there.
Instant Pot Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Photo Credit:www.simplyhappyfoodie.com
Instant Pot Moroccan Chickpea Stew is one of my family’s all time favorite Instant Pot soup recipes! If you love lots of flavor and also want a healthy meal, make this Pressure Cooker chickpea stew. It is so easy, and so good!
Spiced Lentil Stew with Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
Photo Credit:www.rhubarbarians.com
Spiced lentil stew with sweet and sour cauliflower recipe! A delicious, healthy, and hearty vegetarian dinner that the whole family will love. Vegetarian, and easily adapted to a vegan and/0r gluten free diet.
Beef Satay Stew with Sweet Potato Rice
Photo Credit:paleoglutenfreeguy.com
Beef Satay Stew has tender beef coated in a creamy, Asian-style satay sauce for a fun, unique dinner!
WW Chicken Sausage Stew
Photo Credit:www.midlifehealthyliving.com
WW chicken sausage stew is a hearty dinner recipe that is great for meal prep. This delicious healthy chicken sausage stew is quick and easy! Don’t miss out on any of these Weight Watchers chicken recipes!
Venison Stew Recipe for Cold Winter Days
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If you’re looking for a hearty meal on a cold fall or winter day, this venison stew recipe really hits the spot!
Guinness Beef Stew
Photo Credit:www.bakingbeauty.net
My Guinness Beef Stew features tender meat in a savory broth. It is topped with a crunchy cheesy baguette. This comfort food can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.
Irish Coddle - Sausage and Potato Stew
Photo Credit:foodal.com
Irish Coddle is one of these tasty stews that should be in the repertoire of any home cook.
Beef Stew Recipe
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
This Beef Stew Recipe is perfect for the colder weather! Tender beef is simmered in beef broth with potatoes, onions, celery, peas, and carrots until melt in your mouth tender. It’s comfort food heaven.
Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup with Bacon
Photo Credit:littlehousebigalaska.com
A hearty Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup is just about the best way to get through any cold weather. Thick and hearty, warm, and filling this soup makes you warm all the way to your toes.
Pacific Oyster Stew
Photo Credit:www.simplyhappyfoodie.com
Pacific Oyster Stew is rich and buttery. A simple and delicious way to enjoy oysters.
Jamaican Oxtail Stew with Butter Beans
Photo Credit:thatgirlcookshealthy.com
This fall-off-the-bone Jamaican Oxtail Stew braised with butter beans, gravy and classic Jamaican spices simmers away on the stovetop or slow cooker. Serve this mouthwatering meal for any special occasion.
Comforting Carnitas Stew
Photo Credit:www.mashupmom.com
This quintessential comfort food it is full of hearty beans & pork enlivened by bursts of crisp-tender sweetness from the corn and bell pepper
Best Ever Beef Stew
Photo Credit:www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com
This Best Ever Beef Stew is a perfectly seasoned, comforting, hearty dish full of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and savory broth! Your family will come running for dinner!
Rustic Chicken Slow Cooker Stew
Photo Credit:whoneedsacape.com
Rustic Chicken Slow Cooker Stew, a hearty dish that the whole family will enjoy. Tender chicken, carrots, potatoes in a thick sauce, the perfect combination.
Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
Photo Credit:moneywisemoms.com
Stuffed pepper soup is an easy weeknight dinner. You can easily make this great family friendly dinner from pre-cooked ingredients.
Instant Pot Cioppino Seafood Stew
Photo Credit:twosleevers.com
Make this Cioppino Seafood Stew in your Instant Pot for a simple stew that is bursting with flavor! This seafood stew is rich and loaded with seafood and veggies. It's very filling with a small serving, while still being light.
Hearty, Delicious Mushroom Stew
Photo Credit:delightfuladventures.com
A quick and easy vegan mushroom stew that’s hearty, and of course, delicious! This vegan stew will surely become a new favourite AND it can be made in your Instant Pot or on the stove top.
West African Groundnut Spicy Chicken Soup
Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com
West African Groundnut Spicy Chicken Soup is thick, fragrant and comforting soup/stew. If you like peanuts and chicken, you’ll love the wonderful flavour combination of groundnut soup, an easy West African peanut soup recipe.
Onepot Vietnamese Beef Stew
Photo Credit:www.supergoldenbakes.com
Are you looking for a beef recipe that’s a bit more interesting than your regular ol’ stew? This highly aromatic Vietnamese Beef Stew will quickly become your favourite comfort food.
Gluten Free Cajun Shrimp Stew
Photo Credit:asprinklingofcayenne.com
Growing up, my mom made Cajun shrimp stew like two to three times per month. It was one of her usual dinner dishes that tasted even better when she used fresh shrimp that my dad caught over the weekend.
