Fall and winter weather calls for comfort. Whether it’s the extra blankets on your bed, the warm clothes you bundle up in, or the comfort food that comes out of your kitchen. What’s more comforting than a hearty stew?

When I was young, seeing my mom's ancient crockpot on the kitchen counter was always a good indication that a winter stew was bubbling away. She has a range of stew recipes that she cycles through during the cold months of winter.

Are you ready to make some stew this fall and winter? Take a look at the list below and be inspired to make some delicious stew this fall and winter.

1. Moroccan Butternut Squash Stew (Vegan)

Halved butternut on cutting board with sharp knife

Image credits: Viviana Rishe via Unsplash

When it comes to winter staples, you can’t go wrong with butternut squash. And when you’re preparing butternut squash, you can’t go wrong with turning them into a comforting stew or soup. This Moroccan-inspired take on the winter staple classic adds fragrant spices for a kick of flavor and lentils and chickpeas for an extra protein boost. It’s vegan too. Add naan or a piece of crusty bread to complete the meal. 

2. Beef Stew

Beef stew in a pan on a cutting board

Image credits: Artur Kornakov via Unsplash

A hearty beef stew was my favorite as a teenager. What's not to love about saucy chunks of beef simmered away in a savory beef stew sauce? Delicious. This beef stew recipe comes with tender beef, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes. Nothing fancy here. Just a solid, cozy meal to be enjoyed on a chilly winter night.

3. Chicken Stew In The Oven

Saucy chicken stew in a pot

Image credits: Farhad Ibrahimzade via Unsplash

While most stews happen on the stove, this chicken stew recipe chooses the oven for one reason only; crispy chicken skin! Yup, that’s right. If you’re not a fan of the slimy skin in chicken soup, you have to try this oven-baked recipe. That crispy skin comes with a thick sauce and your favorite vegetables. Try this twist on a regular staple.

4. One-Pot Lamb Stew (Gluten-Free) 

Lamb stew in a bowl with rice

Image credits: W via Unsplash

Do you want to know how to make lamb stew even better? Cook the whole meal in one pot, that’s how! The savory flavors in this one-pot lamb stew will have your family coming up for seconds. Good thing it’s healthy too. This recipe is gluten-free. You can always substitute for ingredients containing gluten if you like your gluten.

5. Fisherman’s-Style Seafood Stew

Seafood stew in a bowl

Image credits: Brooke Lark via Unsplash

Do you have a taste for seafood? If so, then I’ve got a recipe for you. This seafood stew is a bit more on the advanced side, as it involves cooking fish and shellfish in stages. The result, however, is exceptional. A combination of mussels, clams, fish, and prawns cooked in a liquid made up of white wine and tomato sauce will be sure to wow all seafood fans out there.

6. Beef And Guinness Stew

Guinness beer in a glass

Image credits: George Bakos via Unsplash

Traditionally, the Irish make this stew with lamb. However, in most other parts of the world, it’s made with beef. That's why I haven’t called this an Irish stew. Something we can all agree on, though, is that this is one flavorful stew. Due to the very long cooking time of this beef and Guinness stew recipe, it’s advised that you use thicker chunks of beef so that they don’t disintegrate while the sauce is developing that rich flavor.

7. West African Peanut And Sweet Potato Stew (Vegan)

Hands cutting up a sweet potato

Image credits: Louis Hansel via Unsplash

When it comes to sweet potatoes, you might think of sweet potato soup. But did you know that you can make a stew out of sweet potatoes too? This dish, known as mafe, is said to have originated in Mali, although there are variations of this dish across West and Central Africa. This West African peanut and sweet potato stew is always based on a sauce made from peanut butter and tomatoes for a bite of flavor. This variation uses sweet potatoes as the featured ingredient.

8. Oxtail Stew

Oxtail stew in a blue bowl with a spoon

Image credits: yvonne lee harijanto via Unsplash

When it comes to slow-cooked food, an oxtail stew has to be one of the finest delicacies out there. The high bone content in the oxtail means you get plenty of collagen with each serving. It’s like bone broth and stew in one. So hearty bowls of this stew are delicious and nutritious. This oxtail recipe includes cloves and fresh herbs for a layered flavor.

9. One Pot Pork Stew

Raw pork being prepared on wooden cutting board

Image credits: Frank Zhang via Unsplash

Pork is probably not the first protein that comes to mind when you think about stew. Let’s change that with this simple, hearty, one-pot pork stew recipe. It calls for both chunks of pork and bacon to ensure meat in every bite. It’s also loaded up with vegetables for that added depth of flavor and extra nutrition. Any meal that comes together in one pot and feeds a family gets a double thumbs up from me. How about you?

10. Cowboy Stew

Various vegetables in a cast iron pot

Image credits: Edward Howell via Unsplash

The great thing about stews is that they’re highly customizable. They’re one of those dishes where you can throw whatever you have in the fridge into the pot. That’s the general idea behind this cowboy stew recipe. It comes packed with three different types of meat, beans, and an assortment of vegetables. However, don’t worry too much about sticking to the recipe. It is a great way to use up those affordable pantry ingredients that are nearing their expiration date.

11. Chicken Casserole (In Under An Hour!)

Chicken casserole in white bowl

Image credits: Jezebel Rose via Unsplash

Sometimes, you don’t have the time or willpower to tend to a stew while it simmers away all day. The great news is that you can have a rich, hearty chicken stew in less than an hour. This chicken casserole recipe calls for boneless chicken thighs to be cooked in a dark stew sauce that makes the dish taste like it’s been simmering all day.

12. Winter Vegetable Stew (Vegetarian)

vegetables on the table

Image credits: Syd Wachs via Unplash

When you're cooking a winter stew, why not stick with the seasonal theme and use only winter vegetables? This winter vegetable stew recipe calls for harissa (Tunisian spicy paste) and couscous for a North African flavor. The vegetables used include potatoes and other root crops for a filling dish. Chickpeas boost the protein content for a satisfying and tasty winter stew.

Last Word 

There you have it, 12 stew recipes you have to try this winter. I'm confident that everyone will be able to find at least one recipe on this list that will tickle your fancy. Whether you're looking for a meaty stew, a vegan stew, or something in between, there's an option for you.

Not so long ago, all our food was seasonal. So if you're looking for the most authentic winter stew, make sure you only use vegetables that are in season in winter. They're packed with immune-boosting properties to help you get through winter without falling ill. On top of that, they make for hearty and delicious stew ingredients.

What do you think about winter stews? Are you going to try one that's on this list? Comment below and let us know. Or share this list with somebody who should cook you a stew this weekend.