20 Best Stew Recipes to Make on a Chilly Night
It's a classic stick-to-your-ribs meal.
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As soon as the temperature starts to go down, stew season kicks in. Whether packed with a tender, shreddable cut of beef or a combination of sausage and seafood for a taste of New Orleans, these comfort foods always hits the spot. Here, you'll find the best stew recipes to cook on a cold day. You'll find plenty of classics like pot roast, slow-cooker beef stew, and Irish beef stew that you'll want to make way before St. Patrick's Day, plus so much more.
All of these recipes are easy and relatively hands-off; they just require a handful of flavorful ingredients and a whole lot of patience. Although a hearty beef-based dish is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of stew, there are so many others to enjoy, too. For starters, try the Creole-inspired jambalaya. This one-pot meal is packed with flavor, thanks to the use of andouille sausage, dried herbs, cayenne pepper, and a jalapeño. Or give the gumbo recipe a go, which has lots of shredded chicken and, yes, more andouille sausage.
Keep scrolling to find more dinnertime inspiration when you need to feed a hungry crowd. You'll find ways to slow cook pork, rich chicken dinners, and even some vegetarian-friendly bean dishes that are pure comfort. Whether you're feeling under the weather or just trying to warm up from the chilly air, these stew recipes are sure to hit the spot.
Jambalaya
Bring a taste of New Orleans to your home kitchen with this classic jambalaya. It’s brimming with three kinds of protein—chicken thighs, shrimp, and andouille sausage—plus the holy trinity of vegetables.
Get the Jambalaya recipe.
Chicken Stew
On a cold day, nothing quite hits the spot like this chicken stew. Think of it like chicken pot pie filling minus the crust. Who would say no to that?
Get Ree's Chicken Stew recipe.
Irish Stew
Once you flip the calendar to March, it’s time to make Irish stew. This St. Patrick’s Day classic features two pounds of boneless lamb shoulder and a whole bunch of hearty root vegetables to round it out.
Get Ree's Irish Stew recipe.
Gumbo
This classic Cajun-style stew gets its flavor from a combination of Cajun season and filé powder, the latter of which is a powder made from the dried and ground leaves of the sassafras tree.
Get the Gumbo recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Beef stew is the ultimate set-it-and-forget it dish in the slow cooker. When it comes time to serve, you’ll have tender meat and a rich, thick gravy to enjoy.
Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe.
Beef Burgundy
The beauty of this beef stew is that it tastes better the longer it sits, making it the ultimate dinner party entrée. Ree’s recipe calls for chuck roast, carrots, mushrooms, pearl onions, and an entire bottle of red wine.
Get Ree's Beef Burgundy recipe.
Hoppin' John
Ree isn’t superstitious, but she still insists on making this classic Southern stew on New Year’s Day. That's because black eyed peas are said to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
Get Ree's Hoppin' John recipe.
Perfect Pot Roast
This is Ree’s go-to recipe for pot roast. She recommends using chuck roast, due to its flavorful marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture that develops after it stews for a few hours.
Get Ree's Perfect Pot Roast recipe.
Cowboy Stew
After a long day of working out on the ranch (or just in your own backyard), this two-in-one stew will hit the spot. With bacon, kielbasa, ground beef, ranch-style beans, and more, it’s like the best-ever mashup of beef stew and chili.
Get Ree's Cowboy Stew recipe.
Instant Pot Ancho Beef Stew with Cheesy Grits
When you want the flavor and comfort of a beef stew that’s been simmering all day without, well, having to wait all day, grab your Instant Pot! It will transform beef stew meat into a luxurious, comforting meal in just about an hour.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Ancho Beef Stew with Cheesy Grits recipe.
Goulash
This American-style goulash swaps out the usual paprika-based broth with a simpler tomato-based one. It’s packed with ground beef, vegetables, beef broth, elbow macaroni, sharp cheddar cheese, and, yes, a little bit of paprika.
Get the Goulash recipe.
Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika
A lot of beef stew recipes are made with red wine, but this one uses beer for a slightly light, slightly earthy flavor. A duo of paprika and tomato paste help to round out the flavor and add warmth.
Get Ree's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika recipe.
Coconut Chicken Curry
A can of coconut milk adds a cooling sweetness to this warm and spicy chicken curry. Serve it with fresh cilantro, diced mangos, and lime wedges to offset the heat and add color.
Get the Coconut Chicken Curry recipe.
Shrimp Étouffée
Two pounds of shrimp are studded throughout this étouffée, a Cajun stew that gets even more color and flavor from the holy trinity of vegetables (bell peppers, onions, and celery).
Get the Shrimp Étouffée recipe.
Red Beans and Rice
Nourishing and protein-packed, this stew will warm you from the inside out. It’s not the type of dish to make at the last minute, so plan in advance and you’ll be rewarded with a comforting dish.
Get the Red Beans and Rice recipe.
Chicken and Dumplings
Think of this as an easier, one-pot chicken pot pie that’s just as soothing. It uses a whole chicken, so there’s a good mix of white and dark meat in every spoonful.
Get Ree's Chicken and Dumplings recipe.
Posole
Whether you call it a soup or a stew, this classic Mexican dish is sure to warm you right up! You'll need to cook the pork slowly for all that delicious flavor, but don't worry, you can make it ahead.
Get the Posole recipe.
Beef and Noodles
This fun twist on beef stew adds tender noddles that are hearty and comforting. Ree likes the Reames brand, but any frozen egg noodle will work.
Get the Beef and Noodles recipe.
Chicken Barley Stew
Barley is a grain that soaks up a ton of the liquid in the stew. It makes it so flavorful but you may need to keep some extra chicken broth handy if you're making it ahead.
Get the Chicken Barley Stew recipe.
Sunday Night Stew
When you’re wondering what to cook at the end of the weekend, here’s your answer. This piping hot beef stew is a total classic and is best served over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes.
Get Ree's Sunday Night Stew recipe.
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