32 Best Winter Soups and Stews

This time of year, happiness comes from hearty bowls of winter soups and stews.

Piping hot, with a rich home-style flavor, if the soup + stew combination doesn’t warm your heart, then I don’t know what will.

When it’s chilly outside, it’s impossible not to crave a cozy, delicious meal to ride out the winter nights.

And these winter soups and stews are as cozy and satisfying as it gets.

Every recipe brings a warm blanket-like comfort and keeps your tummy full. So, let’s get your ladle working!

1. Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

This one-pot recipe is what you need for a last-minute yet filling dish. With this simple recipe, you’ll have a classic savory stew in just 20 minutes!

Featuring tender beef, nutritious vegetables, and the perfect mix of herbs and spices, this old-fashioned beef stew will take away the wintry feeling at the first bite.

2. Roasted Cream of Cauliflower Parmesan Soup

Can’t think of anything to do with leftover cauliflower? Check out this recipe!

Creamy, cheesy, and healthy, roasted cream of cauliflower parmesan soup is a winning cold-weather meal.

The roasted cauliflower is blended with butter, flour, milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth, producing a flavor that’s so addictive.

You’ll surely love another bowl of this soup!

3. Broccoli, Cheese, and Potato Soup

Don’t you just love cheese in a soup? I do! Here’s another recipe that features cheesy goodness and more.

The only difference here is that you’ll use broccoli florets, medium-sized potatoes, and two types of cheese — cheddar and American.

The result? An amazingly thick and delicious broccoli cheddar soup with tender potatoes. Delish!

4. Stuffed Pepper Soup

This stuffed pepper soup can comfort everyone’s tummy with its combination of lightly sweet and beefy flavors.

The soup also calls for white or brown rice, which adds great texture and bulk to the meal.

It’ll fill you up so quickly, so there’s no need to make side dishes!

5. Pappa al Pomodoro

Bring the definitive taste of Italy to your table with this Pappa al Pomodoro recipe.

Serve this thick, Tuscan delight as the main meal, or as a side dish for roasted vegetables, meat, or fish.

PRO-TIP: Serve this soup with poached eggs or soft tofu for a protein boost.

6. Baked Potato Soup

Baked potato soup is a fully loaded meal packed with oh-so-dreamy mashed potatoes infused with flavorful chicken broth.

When topped with crispy-fried bacon, green onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, it’s a sure-fire hit at home!

This recipe is also versatile, you can add any other ingredients you like, from leftover ham to rotisserie chicken, to roasted veggies. 

7. Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Stew)

Ajiaco is wildly popular in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. If you’re looking for an international taste, here’s a must-try recipe!

Ajiaco combines tender chicken breasts, three types of potatoes, and juicy corn on the cob.

If you can get your hands on some guascas (Colombian herb), mix it into the dish to achieve a distinct taste incomparable to any other potato soup!  

8. Greek Drunken Pork Stew

Pork tenderloin is cut into small cubes and cooked in white wine until wonderfully tender and flavor-packed.

Greek drunken pork stew isn’t only for the drunkards!

But I guarantee you that it tastes so much better as an appetizer for beer or wine.

Make this dish cheesy by adding melted cheese, or do a spicy twist by throwing in some red hot peppers.

9. Beef Bourguignon

If you have a slow cooker and you want to make a French-style beef stew, this recipe is yours to take.

All you need are the basics — carrots, mushrooms, beef stock, and onions.

Backed by easy cooking steps, you can devour this delicious dish in no time without going to a French restaurant.

10. Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup

Have an abundance of carrots at home? Whip up a batch of this roasted carrot ginger soup.

The trick for the creamiest dish is to roast the carrots. You can saute or boil them if you like.

But nothing beats the roasted ones and the sweet, caramel taste they produce.

Mix in some fresh ginger, garlic, and warm Mediterranean spices for a soup that packs excellent flavor combinations.

11. Tuscan Sausage and Vegetable Stew

Healthy vegetables and diced Tuscan sausage swimming in a well-seasoned broth — give me some!

The sweet Italian sausage combines perfectly with the earthy taste of carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, and baby spinach. 

This meal also reheats well, making it a fantastic choice for easy lunches. 

12. Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Imagine deconstructed cabbage rolls, with all the ingredients immersed in a savory tomato base. That’s what stuffed cabbage soup is all about.

This recipe is my go-to when I don’t have the time to roll some cabbage.

In 45 minutes, using just one pot, you can turn the ground beef, tomato rice, chopped cabbage, and beef broth into a scrumptious, warming soup!

13. Easy Borscht

Have you ever tried classic Russian cuisine? If not, then you should definitely try borscht!

Also known as beet soup, borscht is a purple-red, healthy soup with red beet as its main ingredients. Plus, it has a spoonful of sour cream as a topping!

It looks so festive, you can include it in your menu for the wintry holidays. But to be honest, it’s something I wouldn’t mind designating as an everyday soup. 

14. Thai Green Curry Soup

If you ask four chefs, “what’s the difference between soup and stew?” chances are you’ll get a couple of different answers.

Some say it’s how the dish is cooked, and others will claim it’s the texture.

I think it’s kind of both. So while this is called Thai green curry soup, it’s so darn hearty, I think it’s more like a bright, lightly spiced Thai stew.

Luckily, no matter what you call it, it’s insanely good.

15. Hearty Vegetable Stew

Who says you can’t make a stew without pork or beef? This hearty vegetable stew is 100% vegan and gluten-free.

Classic veggies are simmered in tomato paste and bullion, producing beefy, savory, and earthy flavors in one wonderful dish.

You can still take things to the next level by adding beer and wine to deepen the flavor. It’s the best beefless stew ever! 

16. Traditional Lancashire Hotpot

This one belongs to the world’s greatest stews with its lean, flavorful lamb topped with thin crispy potatoes.

The best part? You’ll find these ingredients sitting on a rich gravy sauce, making the stew all the more delightful.

17. Chicken Balti

Chicken Balti is a recipe that unites British and Indian flavors, producing a heavenly, medium-spiced curry.

If you aren’t into spicy dishes, maybe this one will convert you.

The recipe is made simple with ingredients you can find at the nearest supermarket.

Serve with naan or garlic parathas, and you’ll have a meal that’s as good as curry takeout, or perhaps even better!

18. Moroccan Stew with Butternut Squash and Chickpeas

Do you have a functional Dutch oven or a large pot? Then you can make this Morrocan stew at home.

This recipe is for vegetarians and is made with butternut squash, chickpeas, kale, golden raisins, and tomatoes.

It’s all infused with warm curry and tangy cinnamon.

Feel free to replace some veggies with cooked beef, lamb, or chicken for a meaty alternative.

19. Brunswick Stew

Bring the taste of the south to your home with this Brunswick stew recipe. Now, you can have this palatable meal minus the long drive to restaurants!

Traditionally, Brunswick stew has a tomato base. But for this one, you’ll have a barbeque broth that pairs well with smoked pork.

Another version of this recipe calls for rotisserie chicken.

This is my personal favorite, as the meat is well-seasoned and moist, with little to no prep time!

20. Spanish Bean Stew

For an affordable meal that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day long, Spanish bean stew is the key!

This cold-weather meal is a family favorite. It features everything we love in a warm bowl of stew, from smoky tomato sauce, nutritious beans to fresh spinach.

Done in less than 20 minutes, this stew is perfect for your leftover veggies. Add anything you like or anything that’s left in your fridge. It’s that adaptable!

21. Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder is unbelievably delicious, especially when fresh clams are used. But you can make an equally great version even if you use canned clams.

The secret? Use up all the clams and the juices!

Even without the bacon, you’ll adore this clam chowder. It’s creamy, almost buttery, and savory.

The cooking time is just 30 minutes. It’s definitely a win-win!

22. Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup is a must-try. It’s so good, you’ll want to recreate it at home.

The soup is extra creamy, filled with tender chicken bites, soft gnocchi (Italian potato dumplings), and fresh spinach.

Because this soup is an Italian classic, it’s best served with focaccia bread or a chopped Italian salad.

23. Sicilian Fish Stew

Sicilian is another staple in Italian cuisine. It’s a one-pot wonder with a medley of aromatics, raisins, pine nuts, tomatoes, and sea bass fillet.

Cooked in white wine and a tomato-based broth, this stew delivers a perfect balance of Italian flavors and a heavenly sauce you’ll want to sop up!

24. Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and bean soup is super easy to make. You’ll just need 15 minutes of cooking time for an appetizing and filling dinner.

What about the ingredients? They’re likely already in your kitchen. You’ll need leftover ham, navy beans, onion, carrots, and celery.

For a thicker soup, you can add zucchini, kale, sweet potatoes, or shredded cabbage.

25. Julia Child’s French Onion Soup

Julia Child’s recipe for French onion soup creates a feeling of a warm, comforting hug served in a bowl.

This dish is packed with caramelized onions, melted cheese, savory broth, and French bread. These are simple ingredients that bring out the best flavors.

With a sophisticated taste and look, you won’t notice that this dish started as a peasant soup!

26. Lamb Stew

One taste of this lamb stew, and you’ll fall in love with its flavor-packed sauce, soft lamb morsels, and nutritious vegetables.

It’s a complete meal on its own, but serving it with some soft crust bread is ideal for soaking up all the goodness from the broth!

27. Asparagus Soup with Lemon and Parmesan

If you think creating a creamy soup isn’t possible without heavy cream, think again. And you might as well try this recipe, too!

For this dish, you just need chicken broth, a couple of veggies and herbs, Parmesan cheese, and of course, chopped asparagus.

This soup is freezer-friendly. Learn how to make it, and you’ll have something delicious and hearty for a warmer winter night!

28. Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Craving a unique Caribbean flavor? This Jamaican brown stew will satisfy every taste bud.

This recipe starts with a chicken that has been marinated with aromatic spices. It’s then braised in savory brown stew gravy.

The browning sauce is one of the key ingredients for this stew. When it’s done right, you’ll add a wonderful depth of flavor to your chicken dinner!

29. Tortellini Soup

Some of my cozy weeknights are made of a warm blanket, scented candles, a good book, and a bowl of creamy tortellini soup.

Quick and easy to make, I’m sure this is going to be one of your go-to winter meals!

Made with cheesy tortellini, meaty sausage, and hearty kale, it’s everything your heart desires in a bowl of soup.

Still not warm enough? Serve with crusty bread and a glass of wine for a snuggly, comfy night Italian-style.

30. Thai Coconut Soup

One of the most versatile recipes on this list is Thai coconut soup.

It’s loaded with noodles and prawns bathing in a mixture of coconut milk and classic Thai spices.

In a nutshell, it’s Thai coconut curry in soup form. Fresh chili is a must for lovers of all things spicy.

If you can’t handle the heat, no problem. The soup can be cooked as mild as you want.

31. Creamy Pumpkin Soup

This bowl of inviting orange, creamy soup has a silky smooth texture. Get ready for the second round because it’s that good.

Pumpkin soup is so easy to make when you use a canned pumpkin. Still, nothing quite beats the fresh ones.

Upgrades: Add smoky cumin, spicy ground ginger, and cayenne pepper to amp up the heat and savory flavors of your soup.

You can also drizzle some maple syrup to achieve the signature caramel-y taste.

32. Irish Parsnip Soup

Parsnip in a soup makes for a lightly sweet dish. But more than that, this soup is creamy and healthy.

It’s a filling meal that’s high in folate and potassium and loaded with vitamins C and E.

Add a hint of spice and balance the flavor by using essential spices like curry, coriander, and cumin.

For an extra-sweet feast, don’t forget to include apples into the mix!