16 Cozy Stew Recipes Packed With Bold Flavor

Stews are the kind of meals that bring deep flavor and comfort to the table with every spoonful. Whether you’re craving something rich and meaty, spicy and bold, or plant based and nourishing, these recipes are designed to be filling without being fussy. Made with simple ingredients and easy cooking methods like the Instant Pot, stovetop, or Dutch oven, this roundup is perfect for anyone who loves cozy, one pot meals that taste even better the next day.

Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes. — Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

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Beef cooks until tender in a savory sauce with a subtle apple cider note. Potatoes and carrots soak up the slightly sweet, rich broth. The Instant Pot locks in flavor while saving time. Each bite balances warmth and depth.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Instant Pot Beef Stew

Brown Stew Chicken

A pot of stewed chicken with vegetables and sauce, garnished with chopped green onions, sits on a wooden table next to a bowl of rice and beans. — Brown Stew Chicken. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Chicken pieces simmer in a deeply seasoned brown sauce. Onions, peppers, and spices build a bold flavor base. The sauce thickens as it cooks, coating the chicken nicely. It’s a classic dish with rich, comforting character.
Get the Recipe: Brown Stew Chicken

Italian Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot. — Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mushrooms take center stage in a savory, herb-filled broth. Garlic, tomatoes, and onions add depth and aroma. The stew thickens slightly as it simmers. It’s hearty, rich, and full of earthy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Moroccan Lamb Lentil Stew

A pot and bowl of chickpea stew garnished with herbs, served with pita bread and a dollop of yogurt, are arranged on a rustic wooden table. — Moroccan Lamb Lentil Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tender lamb cooks alongside lentils in a spiced broth. Warm seasonings add complexity without overpowering the dish. The lentils thicken the stew naturally as it simmers. Each spoonful is rich and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Lamb Lentil Stew

Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

An overhead image of the vegan efo niro in a pot. — Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spinach cooks down into a bold, pepper-based sauce. Tomatoes, onions, and seasonings create a deeply flavorful base. The stew is thick and vibrant. It’s a traditional dish with strong, memorable flavor.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

Spicy Oyster Stew

Oysters simmer gently in a creamy, seasoned broth. Heat from spices adds contrast to the rich base. The oysters stay tender while absorbing flavor. It’s bold, comforting, and full of character.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Oyster Stew

Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew

Beef browns before slowly braising with vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, and onions soften in a rich broth. The Dutch oven builds depth through slow, even heat. This stew delivers timeless comfort.
Get the Recipe: Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew

Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

A bowl of pasta and chickpea soup with kale, topped with grated cheese and herbs, sits on a plate next to a spoon and a wedge of cheese. — Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Chickpeas and pasta cook together in a savory broth. Garlic and herbs bring warmth and depth. The pasta thickens the stew as it cooks. It’s rustic, filling, and full of Italian flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Ceci – Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew

Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew

A bowl of seafood stew with shrimp, mussels, and clams in tomato broth, garnished with herbs, served with toasted bread, lemon wedges, and a glass of white wine. — Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Seafood simmers in a tomato-based broth with garlic and herbs. Each type of seafood adds its own texture and flavor. The broth is rich and aromatic. It’s a coastal classic with bold taste.
Get the Recipe: Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew

Butter Bean Stew

A close-up of a bowl filled with bean and sausage soup, featuring white beans, sausage pieces, small pasta, and broth, with a spoon resting in the bowl. Parsley is nearby. — Butter Bean Stew. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Butter beans simmer in a savory sauce until tender and creamy. Onions, garlic, and spices add depth. The beans absorb flavor as they cook. It’s simple, comforting, and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Butter Bean Stew

Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, potatoes, carrots, corn, and fresh herbs, placed on a wooden plate next to a white napkin. — Beef and Sweet Potato Stew. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Beef cooks until tender alongside chunks of sweet potato. The sweet potatoes soften and enrich the broth. Onions and spices round out the flavor. Each bite balances savory and subtle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

Zero-Carb Stew

A bowl of beef stew with bone marrow and chunks of meat, served with a spoon and fork on a marble surface. A small dish with a lemon wedge is visible beside the bowl. — Zero-Carb Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This stew focuses on rich broth and hearty ingredients without starchy additions. Meat and vegetables simmer slowly for deep flavor. Seasonings build warmth and complexity. The result is bold and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Zero-Carb Stew

Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew

Beef cooks quickly under pressure in a spiced tomato-based sauce. Peppers and onions add color and texture. The broth develops bold flavor in less time. It’s hearty with a lively kick.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew

Creamy Meatball Stew

A large pot filled with meatballs, baby potatoes, peas, and fresh herbs in a creamy sauce, garnished with a dollop of sour cream. — Creamy Meatball Stew. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Meatballs simmer gently in a smooth, savory sauce. Vegetables add texture and balance. The sauce thickens as it cooks around the meatballs. Each spoonful is rich and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Meatball Stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew

A white bowl filled with beef stew, containing chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery in a brown broth. — Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Beef, potatoes, and carrots cook together under pressure. The broth thickens into a rich sauce. Flavors develop quickly without long simmering. It’s convenient while still deeply satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew

Cajun Meatball Stew

A bowl of rice and meatball stew with vegetables, served with a spoon, placed on a green checkered cloth. — Cajun Meatball Stew. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Meatballs cook in a spiced Cajun-style sauce. Peppers, onions, and seasoning add bold flavor. The stew thickens as it simmers. It’s lively, hearty, and full of personality.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Meatball Stew