12 Hearty Stew Recipes From Around the World

As you ponder the question of what makes a perfect stew, you'll find it's a recipe for discovery. You're about to explore 12 hearty stews from around the world, each with its own twist. From Moroccan Chickpea to French Beef Bourguignon, the options are vast - but what sets them apart, and which one will you try first?

1. Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Flavorful Moroccan stew with chickpeas and spices.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
5. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

2. French Beef Bourguignon

Classic French stew with tender beef and rich flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mixed mushrooms
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup bacon, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped bacon and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the mushrooms, red wine, beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
7. Bring to a boil, then cover and transfer to the oven.
8. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
9. Add the chopped carrots and potatoes, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes.
10. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

3. African Peanut Stew

African Peanut Stew is a flavorful and nutritious dish made with peanuts and spices.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound beef or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the beef or chicken and cook until browned.
4. Stir in the peanut butter, chicken broth, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add the sweet potatoes and carrot, and continue to simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.

4. Korean Kimchi Stew

Spicy Korean Kimchi Stew made with kimchi and pork.

Ingredients

• 2 cups kimchi, chopped
• 1 pound pork, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• Salt and black pepper
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced pork and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the chopped kimchi, gochujang, soy sauce, and Korean chili flakes, and stir to combine.
5. Pour in the water and rice vinegar, and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
9. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

5. Brazilian Fish Stew

Delicious Brazilian Fish Stew made with fresh seafood and spices.

Ingredients

• 1 pound firm white fish
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup fish stock
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, garlic, and red bell pepper, and cook until tender.
3. Add fish, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add diced tomatoes and fish stock, and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.

6. Indian Butter Chicken

Indian Butter Chicken is a rich and creamy tomato-based stew.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs
• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the saucepan and set aside.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the saucepan.
5. Add the onions and cook until they're lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
7. Stir in the cumin, garam masala, and cayenne pepper.
8. Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and tomato puree.
9. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
10. Add the browned chicken back to the saucepan.
11. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
12. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

7. Thai Red Curry

Thai Red Curry is a spicy and flavorful stew made with red curry paste and coconut milk.

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized potatoes
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened.
2. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
3. Add the red curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add the potatoes, mixed vegetables, coconut milk, water, fish sauce, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
7. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.

8. Chinese Hot Pot

Chinese Hot Pot is a flavorful and interactive stew originating from China.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef or pork bones
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 pound sliced beef or lamb
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (cabbage, carrots, mushrooms)
• 1 cup dumplings or noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine bones, chicken broth, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, and ginger in a large pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 1 hour.
3. Strain the broth and discard solids.
4. Add sesame oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Arrange sliced beef, mixed vegetables, and dumplings or noodles on a platter.
6. Serve the hot broth in a communal pot and let everyone cook their own ingredients.
7. Dip cooked ingredients in a dipping sauce of choice, such as soy sauce or chili oil.

9. Mexican Chili Verde

Mexican Chili Verde is a spicy stew made with roasted green chilies and tender pork.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 roasted green chilies, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add pork cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in roasted green chilies and chicken broth.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.

10. Ethiopian Red Stew

Spicy Ethiopian Red Stew made with tender beef and berbere spice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef stew meat
• 2 medium onions
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons berbere spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 medium potatoes

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook until they start to brown.
3. Add garlic, ginger, berbere spice, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides.
5. Add broth, wine, carrots, and potatoes, and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro or scallions, if desired.

11. Italian Beef Stew

Italian Beef Stew is a rich and flavorful dish made with tender beef and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat
• 2 medium onions
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 medium potatoes
• 1 large can of diced tomatoes
• 1 cup of beef broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add the beef to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes to the pot and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir to combine.
5. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 2 1/2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
6. Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves, if desired.

12. Spanish Seafood Stew

Savory Spanish Seafood Stew filled with shrimp, mussels, and clams.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 pound clams, scrubbed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup fish broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add the shrimp, mussels, and clams, and cook until the seafood starts to brown.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, fish broth, and smoked paprika, and stir to combine.
6. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the seafood is cooked through.
7. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme, if desired.

Conclusion

As you savor these 12 global stews, a symphony of flavors unfolds, a metaphor for life's rich tapestry. You'll find yourself entwined in a world of spices, ingredients, and cultures, each stew a thread that weaves together tradition and taste, leaving you hungry for more.