Delicious Homemade Soups and Stews You Must Try

Enjoying a warm bowl of soup or hearty stew is a perfect way to stay cozy during colder months. These dishes are not only comforting but also nutritious, ideal when you’re feeling under the weather or craving weekend comfort food. While store-bought options are convenient, crafting homemade recipes allows for personalization and healthier ingredients. Explore quick and easy healthy soup and stew recipes that require minimal effort, perfect for busy days or relaxing weekends.

Stew Variations

Here are three simple stew recipes to add to your culinary rotation:

Slow-Cooked Beef Stew

This flavorful dish takes a few hours but delivers rich, tender meat and vegetables. Layer potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery in a slow cooker. Meanwhile, season beef chunks with flour and brown them in a skillet. Add the beef over the vegetables. In a separate bowl, mix tomatoes, broth, mustard, salt, pepper, thyme, and optional browning sauce. Pour over the beef mixture, cover, and cook on low for about seven hours until everything is tender. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

Lamb Vegetable Stew

For lamb lovers, this hearty recipe involves cubing lamb and seasoning with flour, salt, and pepper. Brown the meat in a cast-iron pot, then add vinegar, broth, and cook until almost soft. Add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, turnips, fennel, and shallots, then simmer until tender. Finish with chopped parsley and fennel fronds for added flavor.

Chicken Stew

This nourishing option starts with melting butter in a large pot, sautéing carrots and celery until soft. Add garlic, salt, and pepper, then incorporate shredded pre-cooked chicken, potatoes, thyme, bay leaves, and broth. Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Garnish with parsley and serve. Raw chicken breasts can be used; cook, shred, and return the meat to the stew.

Soups That Warm the Soul

These recipes incorporate pre-cooked or chicken ingredients for convenience:

Chicken Noodle Soup

Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté carrots, celery, and onions until soft. Add garlic and thyme, cook briefly, then pour in chicken stock. Once boiling, add egg noodles and cook until tender. Incorporate pre-cooked chicken and spinach, simmer a few minutes, season to taste, and enjoy.

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Sauté mushrooms, ginger, onion, and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add broth, coconut milk, shrimp paste, chili-garlic sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 20 minutes, then add pre-cooked chicken and heat through. Finish with lime juice and zest, garnished with chopped cilantro for a tangy kick.

Cuban-style Chicken Noodle Soup

Using raw chicken, cook onions, carrots, ginger, bay leaves, salt, and saffron in oil. Once fragrant, add chicken, potatoes, squash, water, and tomato sauce. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, then shred and return to the pot with noodles. Cook until noodles are tender, then add lime juice and season with salt and pepper for a flavorful twist.

These recipes are quick to prepare—perfect for weeknights or lazy weekends. Try them out soon to enjoy homemade comfort foods anytime.