Stewing over what to feed your family tonight? You can simmer down over that dinner dilemma with the ultimate comfort food — stew. Hearty, warm and incredibly nutritious, one-pot stew recipes offer a convenient and satisfying solution for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
At its heart, stew embodies everything we’re looking for in a healthy meal: Its foundation of a variety of vegetables and lean protein is capped off with a medley of seasonings, the flavors melding in a rich broth.
As you look forward to that first tempting bite, consider the following stew recipes to add to your repertoire — from traditional beef stew to reimagined versions souped up with global spices and flavors.
BEEF STEW RECIPE FOR THE SLOW COOKER
Let’s start with a classic: fork-tender chunks of slow-cooked beef and your quintessential cast of stew stalwarts—carrots, potatoes, onions and celery—are perfectly cooked to retain their texture in a savory broth that comes together with ease, thanks to a package of McCormick Classic Beef Stew Seasoning Mix combined with water. Spend a few minutes chopping and assembling in the morning (or even the night before), and you’ll arrive home to this delicious meal that's been a staple of home cooking for generations.
INSTANT POT® BEEF STEW
This hearty one-pot meal allows you to get your veggies in effortlessly — and in a snap. While this ingredient lineup is similar to the recipe above, using your Instant Pot to chef it up takes a fraction of the time. This generous recipe serves eight, so portion up any leftovers into take-along containers for tomorrow's lunch!
RED POZOLE
While Mexican pozole is typically classified as a “soup,” this version is so thick with flavor goodness, you’ll need a fork—so we’re calling it a stew! The recipe calls for tender pork and hominy, punctuated with a symphony of McCormick seasonings. But what really makes this dish sing (or shall we say zing?) is a zesty sauce made with Pasilla-Ancho Chile Pods and Guajullo Chili Peppers, combined with garlic and onion. Customize each serving with a vibrant array of fresh garnishes, like diced radishes, fresh cilantro, minced onions, lime wedges and even tortilla chips for extra crunch.
TUSCAN CHICKEN STEW
This dish is as colorful as it is flavorful, bursting with the hues of the Italian flag: bright red tomatoes and brilliant green spinach, dotted with white cannellini beans. Combined with tender chunks of chicken, the ingredients are infused with the warmth of Italian spices, including McCormick Fennel Seed, McCormick Basil Leaves, McCormick Minced Garlic, McCormick Whole Rosemary Leaves, McCormick Oregano Leaves and McCormick Coarse Ground Black Pepper. Best of all, this Tuscan stunner comes together in just about 40 minutes.
PERUVIAN CHICKEN STEW
Continuing the theme of international stews, let’s journey to South America for this creole-style culinary gem. While traditionally made with tripe, which is the lining of beef, hog or sheep stomach, it can also be made with more approachable proteins like seafood, shellfish or chicken. This version uses chicken, zested up with a fusion of spices: ají amarillo paste, McCormick Ground Turmeric, McCormick Ground Cumin and McCormick Garlic Salt, all rounded out with veggies and a sprinkle of fresh mint.
EASY BEEF STEW RECIPE
Let’s finish where we started with another classic stew recipe. Here the name says it all: Sometimes you’re craving the homey goodness of beef stew, but your busy day prevented you from getting that beef stew slow cooker recipe simmering in the morning. We’ve got you covered with this take that cooks for a mere 15 minutes, yet still yields all the nutrition and taste a slow cooker stew recipe offers. The secret lies in using the power hack of every kitchen ninja—frozen mixed veggies—infused with the hearty flavor of a package of McCormick Classic Beef Stew Seasoning Mix.
Want a few more variations on beef stew? Give these recipes a stir:
