Colder weather calls for stews and these are our favourites

The Good Housekeeping Cookery Team
·9-min read
best stew recipes
The best stew recipes Hearst Owned

There's nothing like a good, easy stew to warm you up. Stews can cheer the coldest of days, and can be whipped up in no time at all. We love preparing ours in a slow cooker as they require minimal hands-on time but deliver maximum flavour.

From Mediterranean chicken, to speedy sausages and veggie-packed stews – this humble dish is a perfect sharing meal for the whole family.

Here are some of our all-time favourites for you to try:

1. MEDITERRANEAN FISH STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Red curry, Cookware and bakeware, Curry,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Red curry, Cookware and bakeware, Curry,

A hearty Mediterranean stew - delicious with a piece of soft, chunky bread.

Full recipe here

2. SPEEDY SAUSAGE STEW

Food, Dish, Cuisine, Ingredient, Recipe, Produce, Vegetable, Meat, Meal, Chicken meat,
Food, Dish, Cuisine, Ingredient, Recipe, Produce, Vegetable, Meat, Meal, Chicken meat,

This sausage stew recipe can be on the table in half an hour.

Full recipe here

3. SQUASH AND LENTIL STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Soup, Clam chowder, Ciorbă, Recipe, Chowder,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Soup, Clam chowder, Ciorbă, Recipe, Chowder,

A chunky vegetable and bacon stew topped with cheesy bread - save half for freezing and enjoy again later in the month.

Full recipe here

4. SPICY MONKFISH STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Soup, Meat, Produce, Stew, Recipe, Bouillabaisse,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Soup, Meat, Produce, Stew, Recipe, Bouillabaisse,

This spicy stew recipe is a hearty and nutritious dish.

Full recipe here

5. VEAL STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Meat, Recipe, Vegetable, Stuffing, Asian soups,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Meat, Recipe, Vegetable, Stuffing, Asian soups,

Veal is no longer considered cruel if you buy higher-welfare British rose veal. Use a cut suitable for stewing such as shin or shoulder: you may have to buy larger pieces and chop it yourself.

Full recipe here

6. BEAN AND BACON STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Meat, Recipe, Staple food, Vegetarian food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Meat, Recipe, Staple food, Vegetarian food,

We used cannellini beans to save pennies with this hearty stew.

Full recipe here

7. LAMB AND ORZO STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Jambalaya, Produce, Stuffing, Recipe, Cookware and bakeware,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Jambalaya, Produce, Stuffing, Recipe, Cookware and bakeware,

Shaped to resemble grains of barley, orzo is a type of pasta that adds an interesting texture to soups and increases your pasta repertoire.

Full recipe here

8. PAPRIKA BEEF STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Recipe, Produce, Curry, Gravy, Asian soups, Thai food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Recipe, Produce, Curry, Gravy, Asian soups, Thai food,

This Hungarian-inspired paprika beef stew is easy to prepare and well worth the long cooking time.

Full recipe here

9. SPEEDY LAMB STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Salad, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Vegetarian food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Salad, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Vegetarian food,

A delicious stew to warm the cockles on an Autumn evening.

Full recipe here

10. SPANISH CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Curry, Meat, Jalfrezi, Produce, Recipe, Staple food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Curry, Meat, Jalfrezi, Produce, Recipe, Staple food,

If you aren’t keen on them, omit the olives from this smoky stew.

Full recipe here

11. LIGURIAN FISH STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Comfort food, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Soup, Minestrone,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Comfort food, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Soup, Minestrone,

There are countless variations of this stew, so adapt it with your favourite fish.

Full recipe here

12. SUMMER CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Produce, Vegetarian food, Recipe, Leaf vegetable,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Produce, Vegetarian food, Recipe, Leaf vegetable,

A bright and light stew. Great on its own, or serve it with fresh crusty bread.

Full recipe here

13. MEXICAN CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Chinese food, Asian soups, Side dish,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Chinese food, Asian soups, Side dish,

The chipotle paste adds wonderful smokiness to this easy and filling stew. If you have trouble finding it, substitute with a deseeded and finely chopped green chilli.

Full recipe here

14. GUINNESS BEEF STEW

Guinness beef stew
Good Housekeeping

Add a kick to this beef stew recipe by taking the cookery team's Triple-Tested advice and add a can of Guinness to the mix!

Full recipe here

15. SWEET PEPPER STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Pebre, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe, Caponata, Side dish,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Pebre, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe, Caponata, Side dish,

This stew recipe is also known as pepperonata – a traditional dish made by cooking peppers slowly over a low heat to bring out their full sweetness.

Full recipe here

16. RICH AUBERGINE STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Vegetarian food, Fattoush, Produce, Recipe,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Vegetarian food, Fattoush, Produce, Recipe,

Aubergines take a little longer to cook than you might think, so make sure they are succulently soft before serving this vegetarian dish.

Full recipe here

17. CHICKEN AND LEEK STEW

dish, food, cuisine, ingredient, vegetable, produce, cruciferous vegetables, vegetarian food, recipe, meat,
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned

This dish is even better made a day ahead. To make it more filling, serve with crusty bread.

Full recipe here

18. PORK AND BEAN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Karelian hot pot, Produce, Meat, Stew, Recipe, Curry,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Karelian hot pot, Produce, Meat, Stew, Recipe, Curry,

A great hearty casserole for Autumn, to warm you up when the days get cooler.

Full recipe here

19. ONE-POT GAMMON STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Meal, Produce, Comfort food, Bacon and cabbage, Recipe,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Meal, Produce, Comfort food, Bacon and cabbage, Recipe,

A whole gammon joint braised in apple juice with a selection of veg makes a great supper on a cold night.

Full recipe here

20. SPICED CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Salad, Vegetable, Superfood, Produce, Vegetarian food, Recipe,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Salad, Vegetable, Superfood, Produce, Vegetarian food, Recipe,

We've used thigh fillets, as they stay juicier than breast.

Full recipe here

20. LAMB AND ROSEMARY STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Meatball, Curry, Produce, Recipe, Stew,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Meatball, Curry, Produce, Recipe, Stew,

This cost-conscious casserole is delicious, nutritious and works out at just under a pound per serving!

Full recipe here

21. CHICKEN AND CHORIZO STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Comfort food, Produce, Staple food, Recipe, Stamppot,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Comfort food, Produce, Staple food, Recipe, Stamppot,

This hearty stew is ideal when you want supper ready as soon as possible.

Full recipe here

23. CHICKEN AND BARLEY STEW

Dish, Cuisine, Food, Ingredient, Salad, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Green curry, Meat,
Dish, Cuisine, Food, Ingredient, Salad, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Green curry, Meat,

This hearty but healthy stew is low in fat but high on the satisfaction scale.

Full recipe here

24. LENTIL AND GINGER STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Coq au vin,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Vegetable, Coq au vin,

Serve this hearty vegetarian stew with warm bread to mop up all the delicious sauce.

Full recipe here

25. BRITISH FISH STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Mussel, Ingredient, Seafood, Bivalve, Clam, Molluscs, Produce,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Mussel, Ingredient, Seafood, Bivalve, Clam, Molluscs, Produce,

Make the most of fish caught off our home shores with this simple but sublime stew. Serve with Seaweed Soda Bread to mop up juices.

Full recipe here

26. CIDER SAUSAGE STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Meat, Produce, Navarin, Vegetarian food, Recipe,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Meat, Produce, Navarin, Vegetarian food, Recipe,

Warming and hearty, this one-pot sausage stew will be a winner with all the family.

Full recipe here

27. MOROCCAN LAMB STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Staple food, Risotto, Bulgur,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Produce, Recipe, Staple food, Risotto, Bulgur,

Guilt-free comfort food for a cold winter’s evening.

Full recipe here

28. MUSSEL AND POTATO STEW

Dish, Cuisine, Food, Ingredient, Clam, Recipe, Seafood, Produce, Mussel, Bivalve,
Dish, Cuisine, Food, Ingredient, Clam, Recipe, Seafood, Produce, Mussel, Bivalve,

This dish is speedy to cook and impressive enough to serve at a dinner party – no one will guess it's budget-friendly, too!

Full recipe here

29. LENTIL, BEAN AND BANGER STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Cassoulet, Baked beans, Navy beans, Produce, Recipe, Meat,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Cassoulet, Baked beans, Navy beans, Produce, Recipe, Meat,

Hearty and nourishing, this stew is sure to banish any Autumn chill.

Full recipe here

30. PORK, BACON AND BEAN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Crumble, Produce, Recipe, Parmigiana, Casserole, Gratin,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Crumble, Produce, Recipe, Parmigiana, Casserole, Gratin,

The unique combination of salty pork and bacon with creamy beans makes this stew irresistible.

Full recipe here

31. QUICK HALLOUMI AND BEAN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetarian food, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe, Staple food, Caponata,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetarian food, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe, Staple food, Caponata,

This vegetarian recipe is a quick but delicious mid-week supper.

Full recipe here

32. FRUIT AND NUT LENTIL STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Lentil, Recipe, Wheatberry, Legume,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Lentil, Recipe, Wheatberry, Legume,

Packed full of flavour, this vegetarian stew is great served with garlic bread.

Full recipe here

33. SLOW-COOKER BEEF STEW WITH DUMPLINGS

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Curry, Produce, Vindaloo, Recipe, Stew,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meat, Curry, Produce, Vindaloo, Recipe, Stew,

This stew does not require you to brown the beef, which makes it ideal for a slow cooker.

Full recipe here

34. BEEF AND ALE STEW WITH DUMPLINGS

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meatball, Produce, Meat, Comfort food, Recipe, Vegetarian food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Meatball, Produce, Meat, Comfort food, Recipe, Vegetarian food,

Tender chunks of beef with cheesy dumplings... you can't go wrong with this hearty recipe.

Full recipe here

35. LIGHT FENNEL, BEAN AND CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Produce, Vegetable, Recipe,

If you can’t find fresh tarragon, use fresh parsley or basil instead.

Full recipe here

36. SLOW-COOKER SPICED AND FRUITY CHICKEN STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Produce, Vegetarian food, Superfood, Staple food,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Salad, Produce, Vegetarian food, Superfood, Staple food,

Chicken thigh fillets are perfect for the slow cooker.

Full recipe here

37. MOROCCAN CHICKEN, SQUASH AND CHICKPEA STEW

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Butternut squash, Vegetarian food, Chicken meat, Navarin,
Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Vegetable, Produce, Butternut squash, Vegetarian food, Chicken meat, Navarin,

This triple-tested Moroccan chicken recipe takes on authentic flavours, and as a one-pot dish it's an easy dinner idea to whip up midweek.

Full recipe here

Ask anyone how they define a stew, and the answer is likely to be different. Whatever you consider a stew to be, we think it should always be incredibly delicious (duh) and with a good mix of chunky vegetables (and meat if you're not veggie) and something you can easily serve in a bowl - to cosy up on the couch with.

Below we've compiled our favourite stew recipes to dig into while the weather is turning colder (and greyer - ugh), including team favourites like our fish stew, cannellini bean & meatball stew and the classic Irish stew. Read on for plenty of cooking inspiration.

Tomato, Butter Bean & Kimchi Stew

Decadent with gut-boosting ingredients, this creamy stew is the perfect midweek dinner.

Recipe: Tomato, Butter Bean & Kimchi Stew

best stew recipes
Hearst Owned

Cannellini Bean & Meatball Stew

This hearty meatball and bean stew is ready in 45 mins and makes the perfect dinner for midweek cooking! Just add crusty bread.

Recipe: Cannellini Bean & Meatball Stew

best stew recipes
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned

Greek Lamb Stew

Traditional Greek cooking uses cinnamon in their recipes, which might seem odd but it really enhances all the other ingredients in a dish. This Greek lamb stew is hearty, flavoursome and great with bulghur wheat or couscous.

Recipe: Greek Lamb Stew

greek lamb stew
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned

Fish Stew

This ones for the fish lovers! We've used a mix fish pack for ease, but use whichever fish you like best.

Recipe: Fish Stew

best stew recipes
Hearst Owned

Scotch Broth

Scotch broth is a chunky stew hailing from Scotland and typically features barley, lamb and lots of veg. It's the ultimate comfort food.

Recipe: Scotch Broth

best stew recipes
Kris Kirkham - Hearst Owned

Irish Stew

It wouldn't be a stew gallery with an Irish stew. This classic dish is an unctuous mix of pearl barley, veggies and tender lamb pieces.

Recipe: Irish Stew

best lamb stew recipes
Good Housekeeping

Slow Cooker Ham & Red Lentil Stew

This stew is one of those dishes you can chuck on in the morning and come home to the most comforting dinner in the evening. It's great for using up leftover Christmas ham, too.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham & Red Lentil Stew

best strew recipes
Mike English - Hearst Owned

Harissa Chicken Stew with Flatbreads

This bright chicken stew is bursting with warming harissa and hearty ingredients like chicken, apricots and chickpeas.

Recipe: Harissa Chicken Stew with Flatbreads

best stew recipes
Mike English - Hearst Owned

Pesto Chicken Stew

This creamy chicken stew is packed full of flavour, using shop-bought pesto to add an easy flavour boost.

Recipe: Pesto Chicken Stew

best stew recipes
Oscar Hather - Hearst Owned

Speedy Sausage Stew

Needing only 5 min of prep time (yes really!) this speedy sausage stew uses bangers of choice, pre-cooked lentils and plenty of veggies, too.

Recipe: Speedy Sausage Stew

best stew recipes
Good Housekeeping - Hearst Owned

Smokey Bonfire Chorizo Stew

Warm up with this smokey chorizo, pepper and potato stew. It's made in the slow cooker so you can get on with more important things!

Recipe: Slow Cooker Smokey Bonfire Stew

best stew recipes
Oscar Hather - Hearst Owned

Hearty Beef Stew with Dumplings

This stew is perfect for those lazy Sunday's when you're pottering around the house and want something nourishing to warm you.

Recipe: Hearty Beef Stew with Dumplings

best stew recipes
Good Housekeeping UK

Lamb Orzo Stew

Orzo makes a wonderful addition to a hearty stew and this one is filled with meaty lamb, black olives and plenty of herbs for a family favourite.

Recipe: Lamb Orzo Stew

best lamb stew recipes
Good Housekeeping

Pearl Barley & Bean Stew

Pearl barley adds the most wonderful texture to this stew and keeps the costs down. Plus, it's packed with loads of heart veg.

Recipe: Pearl Barley & Bean Stew

pearl barley stew
Will Heap - Hearst Owned

Tomato and Butter Bean Stew

Rich tomatoes coat this hearty butter bean stew to perfection. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

Recipe: Tomato and Butter Bean Stew

best stew recipes
Getty Images

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew

This is the perfect way to show off season pumpkins and is full of rich spices and chilli for a nourishing taste.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew

best stew recipes
Alex Luck - Hearst Owned

West African Chicken Stew

This spicy stew is rich and creamy and best served with rice. If you're not great with heat, use half a Scotch bonnet in this dish

Recipe: West African Chicken Stew

best stew recipes
Adrian Lawrence - Hearst Owned

Spicy Aubergine Stew

This fragrant and colourful stew is packed with meaty aubergines, juicy tomatoes and spicy harissa paste for a delicious supper idea.

Recipe: Spicy Aubergine Stew

best stew recipes
Steve Baxter - Hearst Owned

Spanish Chicken Stew

Rich and smokey, this Spanish-inspired chicken stew radiates sunshine on a plate!

Recipe: Spanish Chicken Stew

best stew recipes
Good Housekeeping UK

You Might Also Like

Latest stories