16 Best Meaty Stew Recipes for Snow Days to Warm Your Soul

Snow days have a certain magic, don’t they? There’s something about those big, fluffy flakes falling from the sky that makes me want to cozy up inside—and nothing beats the cold like a hot bowl of hearty stew. "16 Best Meaty Stews for Snow Days to Warm Your Soul" is my go-to list for those frosty afternoons when all I want to do is hunker down with a blanket and let the delicious aroma of a simmering stew fill the house.

Each of these recipes is packed with meaty goodness, comforting flavors, and easy-to-follow instructions. So grab your biggest pot, and let's get cooking!

1. Classic Beef Stew

Nothing says comfort quite like a steaming bowl of classic beef stew.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and brown the beef in batches.
2. Remove the beef and add onions and garlic; sauté until translucent.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, carrots, and potatoes.
4. Pour in beef broth and red wine, then add thyme and bay leaf.
5. Return the beef to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

2. Lamb and Barley Stew

This hearty stew combines tender lamb with nutty barley for a dish that satisfies.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large leek, sliced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups chicken or beef broth
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the lamb.
2. Add leeks and carrots, cooking until soft.
3. Pour in the chicken or beef broth and add the barley.
4. Stir in lemon juice, rosemary, black pepper, and salt.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1.5 hours or until lamb is tender and barley is cooked.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread.

3. Pork and Sweet Potato Stew

Sweet potatoes add a rich sweetness to this savory pork stew.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup apple cider
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the pork in olive oil in a large pot.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Mix in sweet potatoes, chicken broth, and apple cider.
4. Stir in cinnamon, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours.
6. Serve warm and enjoy the sweet-savory blend.

4. Chicken and Dumplings Stew

Chicken and dumplings are the epitome of comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter and brown the chicken pieces. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened.
3. Return chicken to the pot, add chicken broth, and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
5. For dumplings, mix flour, baking powder, milk, salt, and pepper to form a dough.
6. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the stew and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
7. Serve hot and enjoy.

5. Hearty Venison Stew

Venison makes for a flavorful and lean stew that's perfect for cold weather.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs venison, cubed
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp juniper berries, crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown venison.
2. Add onions, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in carrots, beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, and juniper berries.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
5. Add mushrooms during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

6. Spicy Sausage and White Bean Stew

Warm up with the kick of spicy sausage paired with creamy white beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans white beans, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown sausage in olive oil.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
3. Stir in white beans, chicken broth, smoked paprika, and bay leaf.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve steaming hot.

7. Beef and Guinness Stew

This stew gets its rich flavor from a hearty dose of Guinness stout.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 cups Guinness stout
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brow the beef in olive oil in a large pot.
2. Add onion and cook until golden.
3. Stir in carrots, beef broth, Guinness, and tomato paste.
4. Add thyme and mushrooms, then bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve piping hot.

8. Turkey and Wild Rice Stew

This turkey stew is filling and earthy, thanks to the addition of wild rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs turkey breast, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup wild rice
• 1 tsp sage
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil and brown turkey.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened.
3. Pour in chicken broth, then add wild rice, sage, and bay leaves.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

9. Spiced Pork and Pumpkin Stew

Pork and pumpkin meld together beautifully in this autumnal stew.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork tenderloin, cubed
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cups pumpkin puree
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the pork.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in pumpkin puree and chicken broth.
4. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
6. Serve the spiced pork and pumpkin stew hot.

10. Savory Beef and Ale Stew

A savory stew that pairs well with a good ale to mellow out the bold beef.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup ale
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the beef.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
3. Stir in carrots, beef broth, ale, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Add thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Serve hot with a hunk of crusty bread.

11. Moroccan Lamb Stew

Enjoy the exotic flavors of Morocco with this aromatic lamb stew.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chickpeas
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the lamb.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until translucent.
3. Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and chickpeas.
4. Add cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 1.5 hours.
6. Serve the Moroccan lamb stew warm.

12. Mexican Beef Chili Stew

This spicy Mexican beef chili stew is perfect for those who like a bit of heat.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 cups black beans
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat oil and brown the beef.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
3. Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, cumin, and chili powder.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

13. Cajun Chicken and Andouille Stew

This spicy Cajun chicken and andouille stew will transport you to Louisiana.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the chicken and sausage.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaf.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve over cooked rice.

14. Hungarian Goulash

This Hungarian favorite combines tender beef with rich paprika for a soul-warming meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp Hungarian paprika
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the beef.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until translucent.
3. Stir in beef broth and paprika.
4. Add bell peppers and tomatoes.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve the goulash over egg noodles or with crusty bread.

15. Italian Meatball and Tomato Stew

Juicy meatballs in a rich tomato broth make for the ultimate Italian comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper, then form into meatballs.
2. Brown meatballs in olive oil in a large pot.
3. Remove meatballs and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
4. Stir in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, oregano, and basil.
5. Return meatballs to the pot and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

16. Korean Beef Stew

This Korean-inspired stew is a savory blend of beef and traditional Korean spices.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs, cut into chunks
• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 daikon radish, peeled and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large pot and brown the beef short ribs.
2. Add onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
3. Stir in beef broth, soy sauce, gochujang, carrots, and daikon radish.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot with steamed rice.

Conclusion

So next time the snow starts to fall, you’ll have "16 Best Meaty Stews for Snow Days to Warm Your Soul" ready to keep you cozy and satisfied. Happy cooking!