Best Stew & Chili Recipes

Photo by Yunhee Kim; written by Amy Machnak

Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

This lamb stew is flavored with Arabic spices. The whole thing is baked in a hollowed out kabocha squash, making for a gorgeous, edible presentation.

Recipe: Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Amy Machnak

Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

This quick stew is a perfect weeknight meal for a cold winter night.

Recipe: Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

Photo by Jim Franco; written by Amy Machnak

Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings

Rich with ale and caramelized onions, this stew provides a thick, hearty base for the fluffy white dumplings that are dropped in at the end of cooking.

Recipe: Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Amy Machnak

Miso Seafood Stew

In the mood for a fish soup? Try this lightly flavored, yet totally satisfying, weeknight stew that pairs well with a cold beer.

Recipe: Miso Seafood Stew

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Amy Machnak

Chicken, Quinoa, and Green-Olive Stew

Briny olives, chiles, and bright citrus: That's what you call a pairing challenge. A smooth, strong golden bock brew from the Bay Area can handle this stew, playing up the orange and toning down the chiles.

Recipe: Chicken, Quinoa, and Green-Olive Stew

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Amy Machnak

Quick Crab Stew in Fennel-Tomato Broth

Not up for dealing with live crab after a day at work? Let the grocery store fish counter or a fish market do the cooking. At dinnertime, just toss in a few ingredients for flavor and serve with a loaf of crusty bread for a hearty, easy meal in minutes.

Recipe: Quick Crab Stew in Fennel-Tomato Broth

Photo by Jim Henkens; written by Amy Machnak

Green Chile-Chicken Stew

The chilies in this "white chili" are more of a warming ingredient than a kick of heat. We think it’s great as a make-ahead meal for a crowd.

Recipe: Green Chile-Chicken Stew

Written by Amy Machnak

Spanish-Style Lamb Stew with Roasted Red Peppers

Rich, warm, and spicy, this lamb stew is one of our favorites. We love to serve it as the main course to a spread of hearty red wines and warm crusty bread.

Recipe: Spanish-Style Lamb Stew with Roasted Red Peppers

Written by Amy Machnak

Red Curry Fish Stew with Rau Ram

Fish stews with curry are common throughout Southeast Asia. We love the simplicity of this version, which uses red curry. If you’re sensative to heat, feel free to go a bit heavier on the curry.

Recipe: Red Curry Fish Stew with Rau Ram

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Amy Machnak

Smoky Beef Stew with Blue Cheese and Chives

If you’re looking for the kind of stew that Grandma used to make, look no further. This stew is only made better with the addition of creamy blue cheese sprinkled on top.

Recipe: Smoky Beef Stew with Blue Cheese and Chives

Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Amy Machnak

White Wine Coq Au Vin

Chicken stew made with wine is a French classic. We’ve updated our version using white wine for a crisper flavor and we’ve cut the cooking time to make it weeknight friendly.

Recipe: White Wine Coq Au Vin

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Amy Machnak

Lentil Stew with Winter Vegetables

This hearty vegetarian stew is so satisfying that even the most devout of carnivores won’t miss the meat.

Recipe: Lentil Stew with Winter Vegetables

Photo by James Carrier

Turkey Thigh and Hominy Chili

Budget-friendly turkey thighs add loads of flavor without much fat, while sweet hominy and spicy jalapeño round out the taste of this southwest chili.

Recipe: Turkey Thigh and Hominy Chili

Photo by James Carrier

Black Bean Chili

The addition of chipotle purée imparts a rich, 'tastes like it's been simmering for hours' flavor in this dish, which actually comes together in just about 30 minutes.

Recipe: Black Bean Chili

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Elaine Johnson and Amy Machnak

Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili

Why make the same old thing when you can cook up a chili rich and smoky with bacon and Spanish chorizo, mellowed by whiskey, and fired up with chipotles?

Recipe: Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Devilish Chorizo Chili with Hominy

Not only is this chili easy to make ahead, it actually improves with time. If you like your chili very spicy, add an extra teaspoon of chipotle powder. Serve it with hunks of warm cornbread.

Recipe: Devilish Chorizo Chili with Hominy

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili

Bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and spicy smoked paprika give this easy-to-make chili a deep, complex flavor.

Recipe: Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili

17 best stews & chilis

Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

Beef-Ale Stew and Green Onion-Buttermilk Dumplings

Miso Seafood Stew

Chicken, Quinoa, and Green-Olive Stew

Quick Crab Stew in Fennel-Tomato Broth

Green Chile-Chicken Stew

Spanish-Style Lamb Stew with Roasted Red Peppers

Red Curry Fish Stew with Rau Ram

Smoky Beef Stew with Blue Cheese and Chives

White Wine Coq Au Vin

Lentil Stew with Winter Vegetables

Turkey Thigh and Hominy Chili

Black Bean Chili

Whiskey and Triple Pork Black Bean Chili

Devilish Chorizo Chili with Hominy

Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili