7 Stew Recipes for Cold-Weather Comfort Food

As the temperatures drop, few things bring more comfort than a warm, hearty bowl of stew. Slow-cooked to perfection, stews are rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Whether you crave a classic beef stew, a spicy seafood dish, or a plant-based alternative, these seven recipes will keep you cozy throughout the cold months.

1. Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 800g beef chuck, cut into 4cm cubes
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
• 1L beef broth
• 250ml red wine
• 2 tsp (4g) dried thyme
• 1 tsp (2g) dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Return beef to the pot, add broth, carrots, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
5. Cover and simmer on low for 2 hours or until beef is tender. Remove bay leaf before serving.

2. Hearty Chicken and Mushroom Stew

Ingredients:

• 600g chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 200g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp (30g) flour
• 750ml chicken broth
• 250ml heavy cream
• 2 tsp (4g) dried tarragon
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pot and brown the chicken pieces. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onions, garlic, and mushrooms until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Pour in chicken broth, stirring to prevent lumps.
4. Add the chicken back, season with tarragon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Stir in cream and cook for another 5 minutes before serving.

3. Moroccan Lamb Stew

Ingredients:

• 800g lamb shoulder, cut into 4cm cubes
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15g) ground cumin
• 1 tbsp (15g) ground coriander
• 1 tsp (2g) ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
• 500ml beef broth
• 200g canned chickpeas, drained
• 200g diced tomatoes
• 100g dried apricots, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pot and sear lamb pieces until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onions and garlic, then stir in cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add lamb, broth, chickpeas, tomatoes, and apricots. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
4. Serve with couscous or warm flatbread.

4. Spicy Seafood Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (2g) red pepper flakes
• 400g canned tomatoes, crushed
• 750ml fish broth
• 250ml white wine
• 300g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 300g white fish (such as cod), cut into chunks
• 200g mussels, cleaned
• 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add red pepper flakes.
2. Stir in tomatoes, broth, and wine. Simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add fish, shrimp, and mussels. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until mussels open.
4. Stir in lemon juice and garnish with parsley before serving.

5. Vegan Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (2g) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (2g) ground coriander
• 200g dried lentils
• 750ml vegetable broth
• 1 large sweet potato, diced
• 200g canned tomatoes, diced
• 2 tsp (4g) smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent. Add cumin and coriander.
2. Stir in lentils, broth, sweet potato, tomatoes, and paprika.
3. Simmer for 40 minutes until lentils are soft. Season to taste and serve warm.

6. Irish Guinness Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 800g beef chuck, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 500ml Guinness stout
• 750ml beef broth
• 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
• 2 tsp (4g) dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sear beef in oil until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onions, then stir in tomato paste and thyme.
3. Pour in Guinness and broth, add beef, carrots, and potatoes. Simmer for 2 hours.
4. Serve with crusty bread.

7. French Coq au Vin

Ingredients:

• 600g chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 200g mushrooms, sliced
• 250ml red wine
• 500ml chicken broth
• 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
• 1 tsp (2g) dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown chicken in oil, then remove.
2. Sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Add wine and tomato paste, simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Return chicken to pot, pour in broth, add thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 1 hour, then serve.

These seven stews are perfect for warming up on cold days. Whether you’re in the mood for a meaty classic, a fragrant Moroccan dish, or a plant-based alternative, there’s something here for everyone. Try them out and enjoy the comfort of a delicious homemade stew!