17 Stews to Satisfy Your Cravings This Winter: Hearty, Comforting, and Easy to Make

When the temperatures drop, nothing beats the comfort of a hot, hearty stew. Whether you’re using an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or classic stovetop, stews are the perfect one-pot meals that bring warmth and flavor to your table. From tender meats to rich broths, and even a few vegan options, these 22 stew recipes will have you covered for cozy nights in. Ready to dive into these delicious, satisfying stews? Let’s go!

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

A bowl of chicken soup with shredded chicken, carrots, potatoes, celery, and parsley, next to a bunch of fresh parsley and a red cloth. — Instant Pot Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

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This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is the ultimate comfort meal for busy nights. It combines tender shredded chicken thighs, vegetables, and a hint of thyme for a warm, flavorful dish that comes together in under an hour with minimal hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Squash

A close-up of a spoonful of yellow soup with chunks of orange vegetables and greens, held above a bowl of the same soup. — Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Squash. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If you’re craving something light but hearty, this Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Squash is a must-try. With tender chicken, butternut squash, carrots, and spinach, this gluten- and dairy-free dish is bursting with flavor and nutrition.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Squash

Italian Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with vegetables served over polenta, garnished with herbs, and accompanied by a slice of bread. — Italian Beef Stew. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

Bring the flavors of Italy to your dinner table with this Italian Beef Stew. The bold combination of tender beef, vegetables, and a thick, rich sauce will transport you straight to Tuscany. It’s perfect for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful stews.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Stew

Italian Mushroom Stew

A bowl of tomato-based stew with chunks of meat and vegetables, garnished with fresh herbs. A cutting board with bread, cheese, and basil is nearby. — Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This rustic Italian Mushroom Stew is a traditional dish from Utica, NY, and it’s full of savory goodness. Served over Italian bread, it’s the kind of comfort food that feels like a warm hug from the inside.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Lamb Stew (Irish Stew)

A red pot filled with beef stew, featuring chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, peas, and herbs in a rich broth, sits on a wooden table. — Lamb Stew (Irish Stew). Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

Perfect for chilly evenings, this Lamb Stew, also known as Irish Stew, is packed with tender meat and flavorful veggies. It’s the hearty, comforting dish your whole family will love on those cold winter nights.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew (Irish Stew)

One Pot Chicken Stew

A pot of creamy chicken stew with sliced potatoes, carrots, peas, and herbs, sits on a white surface next to salt and pepper shakers. — One Pot Chicken Stew. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This creamy One Pot Chicken Stew is everything you need for a cozy evening. Hearty and satisfying, it’s a one-pot wonder that makes cleanup a breeze while delivering big flavor.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Chicken Stew

Oven Meatball Stew

Bowls of beef stew with potatoes and carrots in a reddish-brown sauce, served alongside a plate of sliced cucumber, lettuce, and tomato on a wooden surface. — Oven Meatball Stew. Photo credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

If you love homemade meatballs, this Oven Meatball Stew is for you. Baked meatballs and vegetables simmer in a rich, tomato-based sauce, making this a comforting dish you’ll want to make again and again. It’s also perfect for dipping bread into!
Get the Recipe: Oven Meatball Stew

Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

A bowl of pasta soup with chickpeas, greens, and shell noodles, garnished with grated cheese and herbs, sits on a plate with a spoon. — Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

This Italian classic is a delightful mix of pasta and chickpeas in a rich, flavorful broth. Pasta e Ceci is the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug—simple, hearty, and oh so comforting.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, sliced mushrooms, carrots, and sprigs of fresh herbs in a rich brown broth. — Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

For a truly cozy meal, this Slow Cooker Beef Stew is a must. Packed with tender beef and vegetables, this stew simmers all day in a rich, flavorful broth, making it perfect for a stress-free dinner after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

A bowl of creamy chicken stew with chunks of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and herbs, served with a spoon. — Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella .

This Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is creamy, flavorful, and so easy to make. Let the slow cooker do the work and enjoy a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Slow Cooker Lamb Stew

A bowl of soup containing chunks of protein, white beans, leafy greens, carrots, tomato, and broth with a spoon. — Slow Cooker Lamb Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

A bowl of beef stew with potatoes, carrots, and herbs sits on a red checkered cloth, with tomatoes and greens in the background. — Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew. Photo credit: Maria’s Mixing Bowl.

This Slow Cooker Lamb Stew is the epitome of comfort. With lean lamb stew meat, white beans, kale, and rosemary, it’s a rich and hearty dish that’s perfect for a lazy weekend meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

Turkey Stew

Three bowls of chicken stew with carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and celery, garnished with herbs, are arranged on a white table next to a pot and gold spoons. — Turkey Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This hearty Turkey Stew is filled with tender shredded turkey, baby red potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots. The touch of balsamic vinegar and tomato paste adds a delightful depth of flavor to this cozy dish.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stew

Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

A pot of brown stew with leafy greens, mushrooms, and visible herbs simmering in a yellow enameled cast iron dish on a white surface. — Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Vegan Efo Riro is a flavorful Nigerian spinach stew made with mushrooms instead of meat. It’s bursting with spices and can be enjoyed with rice or on its own for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

Vegan Mushroom Lentil Stew

A bowl of baked beans with vegetables and herbs sits on a striped cloth next to empty white bowls. — xr:d:DAF6mFsObGs:54,j:7118355608479391490,t:24012314

This Vegan Mushroom Lentil Stew is packed with protein and flavor. The earthy mushrooms and hearty lentils make it a filling, comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Lentil Stew

Vegetable Beef Stew

A bowl of beef and vegetable stew with carrots, tomatoes, and herbs, placed on a white surface next to parsley and a green bell pepper. — Vegetable Beef Stew. Photo credit: xoxo Bella .

This Vegetable Beef Stew is a crowd-pleaser, loaded with tender beef and fresh vegetables. It’s a wholesome, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Beef Stew

Zero-Carb Stew

A bowl of beef stew with large chunks of meat and a bone in broth, with a spoon and fork resting inside the bowl. — Zero-Carb Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

For those on a carnivore diet, this Zero-Carb Stew is a perfect comfort food. Made with beef shank, stew meat, and bone broth, this savory stew is packed with flavor and entirely carb-free.
Get the Recipe: Zero-Carb Stew